The new Electric Cessna 172

In article ,
a wrote:

On a straight economic matter, we'll be seeing battery improvements first in
high demand areas like laptops and cell phones, and then cars. Only when
those high volume needs are filled will rational people want to invest money
in batteries as the prime energy source is airplanes.

There are still major chemical limitations on energy storage/weight
issues that preclude them from being a viable power source for aircraft
-- and cars.

On 2012-12-31, Orval Fairbairn wrote:
There are still major chemical limitations on energy storage/weight
issues that preclude them from being a viable power source for aircraft
-- and cars.

Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

But for aircraft, batteries are a long way off from being viable (well,
for aircraft bigger than radio controlled ones - all of my RC aircraft
are electric, including helicopters weighing almost 7kg)

Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2012-12-31, Orval Fairbairn wrote:
There are still major chemical limitations on energy storage/weight
issues that preclude them from being a viable power source for aircraft
-- and cars.

Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

That is 200 miles on the highway with the windows up and no air conditioning.

This makes them an expensive niche vehicle as is evindenced by their lack
of sales.


But for aircraft, batteries are a long way off from being viable (well,
for aircraft bigger than radio controlled ones - all of my RC aircraft
are electric, including helicopters weighing almost 7kg)

Absent some earth shaking new physics, batteries will never be viable
for a general purpose aircraft; motor gliders maybe, but something
equivelant to a C-172, nope.

In article ,
wrote:

Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2012-12-31, Orval Fairbairn wrote:
There are still major chemical limitations on energy storage/weight
issues that preclude them from being a viable power source for aircraft
-- and cars.

Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

That is 200 miles on the highway with the windows up and no air conditioning.

.... and in daylight and moderate temperatures. As soon as the mercury
drops into the 40s or below (Deg F), their ability to store and deliver
a charge goes into the tank. Add cabin heating, defrost, etc. and it
only gets worse.


This makes them an expensive niche vehicle as is evindenced by their lack
of sales.


But for aircraft, batteries are a long way off from being viable (well,
for aircraft bigger than radio controlled ones - all of my RC aircraft
are electric, including helicopters weighing almost 7kg)

Absent some earth shaking new physics, batteries will never be viable
for a general purpose aircraft; motor gliders maybe, but something
equivelant to a C-172, nope.

For self-launching sailplanes, which don't need a big "fuel tank," --
yes.

On 01/01/13 07:44, wrote:
Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2012-12-31, Orval Fairbairn wrote:
There are still major chemical limitations on energy storage/weight
issues that preclude them from being a viable power source for aircraft
-- and cars.

Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

That is 200 miles on the highway with the windows up and no air conditioning.

And in daylight and preferably no hills

On 2012-12-31, wrote:
Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

That is 200 miles on the highway with the windows up and no air conditioning.

The typical use pattern of a car is driving a few miles twice a day
and then sitting stationary for at least 14 hours in a driveway which
is more than enough hours to charge off a normal power socket. Even
with the windows down and the AC on full blast there's no issue with
range for the typical daily use of a car.

With most households owning two or more cars, the other car can be used
for any cross-country journeys.

Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2012-12-31, wrote:
Well, not for cars - there are already all-electric cars with a 200 mile
range. With it being entirely normal for most households to have two or
more cars, it's entirely practical that one be electric in most instances,
since anything that demands cross-country driving can be done in the
other vehicle.

That is 200 miles on the highway with the windows up and no air conditioning.

The typical use pattern of a car is driving a few miles twice a day
and then sitting stationary for at least 14 hours in a driveway which
is more than enough hours to charge off a normal power socket. Even
with the windows down and the AC on full blast there's no issue with
range for the typical daily use of a car.

That isn't the typical pattern around here unless by "a few miles" you
mean 50 to 100 miles.

Perhaps you can point to a nation wide study that shows some national
average numbers?

With most households owning two or more cars, the other car can be used
for any cross-country journeys.

For most households, the second car is an old car or a utility vehicle
like a pickup.

Most people want to use the new car for trips.

The bottom line is that electric cars are NOT selling and likely will
not sell until the range goes up and the price comes down considerably.

On 1/2/2013 12:35 PM, wrote:
The bottom line is that electric cars are NOT selling

Proof?

Vaughn

Vaughn wrote:
On 1/2/2013 12:35 PM, wrote:
The bottom line is that electric cars are NOT selling

Proof?

Vaughn


http://www.sfgate.com/business/artic...al-3954153.php

Electric car sales falling short of goal

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul...icles-20120721

Plug-in hybrid sales soar; all-electric cars stay in low gear

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/01/bu...kers.html?_r=0

Soft Sales Crimp Outlook for Electric Cars

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...ells-200-or-so

September Plug-In Electric Car Sales Surge, As Tesla Sells 200 (Or So)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In...-fall-in-April

Electric-car sales fall in April

Want more?

On 2013-01-02, wrote:
That isn't the typical pattern around here unless by "a few miles" you
mean 50 to 100 miles.

Presumably "around here" means somewhere rural if your commute is 50
to 100 miles. This is extremly atypical. The average commute in the US
is only 16 miles each way. Much of that is stuck in traffic, where
gasoline cars idle but electric cars don't need to put any energy
into the motor.