Posts Tagged ‘Fuel Free’
There’s been a lot in the press lately about lithium-ion batteries. Conference panelists, energy researchers, car manufacturers and, of course, environmentalists are discussing the possibility of running vehicles entirely on battery power.
Most of us are more familiar with lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics – laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras, rechargeable battery kits…But, uh, what exactly are they again? Straight lithium batteries are little packets of extractable power which use lithium in its pure metallic form. Straight lithium batteries are considered a “primary battery,” or a battery that cannot be recharged. Secondary batteries or cells can be recharged.
Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are a fairly new development in which more stable lithium compounds are used. One of the primary advantages of lithium-ions, or Li-ions, is that they can be recharged hundreds, sometimes even thousands of times. Two or more secondary cells are restored to full charge through electrical energy in this process. Read the rest of this entry »
By Andrea Glass
Whether you buy a new or used vehicle, fuel efficiency–good gas mileage–is high on the list of most buyers’ concerns. The difference between choosing a fuel-efficient car or one that guzzles gas, will either save or cost you money over the life of the vehicle, which could be substantial. Fuel efficiency varies widely from one car to the next. Obviously you can check the EPA rating for city/highway MPG on the window sticker, although most of us know the average car never reaches those numbers.
You can also check consumer guides, car magazines and Web sites, Web site forums or ask friends, relatives and co-workers which vehicles they recommend as fuel-efficient cars. Don’t buy more car than you need, as larger vehicles generally have bigger engines that are less fuel-efficient. Find the most fuel-efficient car in the size group you’re interested in, whether a two-seater, compact, mid-sized, SUV or pickup truck. There are several online sites where you can compare fuel consumption ratings of any car.
Your choice of transmission can also affect the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Generally, a car with manual transmission is a more fuel-efficient car than one with automatic-assuming you shift properly. And a manual with overdrive, tachometer or shift indicator is the biggest fuel saver, saving up to 10% on fuel costs. If you do buy an automatic, which makes more sense for larger cars, the more gears the better. Read the rest of this entry »
Gas prices are on the rise again! Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.
1. Keep your car tuned up. Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.
2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.
3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage. Use your air conditioner sparingly. If you have a lower setting, use it. Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!
4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds. Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage. At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting). Read the rest of this entry »
Related Reading:
By Tim Gorman
As I stated in my previous article – It’s no big secret – gas prices are rapidly rising. This additional cost for fuel has become a financial burden for many consumers. This second installment to my first article gives more tips and advice on how to save money when filling your car up with gas.
Previously I mentioned the merits of performing regular routine maintenance on your vehicle. The benefit to do this will greatly reduce your fuel costs and save you money. It’s also a good idea to start a fuel log. The rational behind this is simple if you record all of your gas purchases and the mileage you travel you will start to develop the habit of knowing exactly how much that you are spending in fuel costs. Make sure to keep notes on where the cheapest gas stations can be found. You’ll want to use this log to see patterns of driving that you can change in order to cut down on your fuel costs.
Did you know that the average fuel economy of new cars and trucks in the United States and Canada has increased by over 130 percent for cars and 75 percent for trucks? This means that you are driving a better more efficient vehicle, which should equate to a lower fuel bill. However this depends on the level of maintenance you perform on your automobile. If you notice that your gas efficiency is decreasing it could be an indicating factor that your car needs servicing. Don’t hesitate to perform your routine maintenance. Do so will end up costing you more money then you need to spend on gasoline and could ultimately lead to more expensive car repairs. Read the rest of this entry »
By Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer
There’s been a lot in the press lately about lithium-ion batteries. Conference panelists, energy researchers, car manufacturers and, of course, environmentalists are discussing the possibility of running vehicles entirely on battery power.
Most of us are more familiar with lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics – laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras, rechargeable battery kits…But, uh, what exactly are they again? Straight lithium batteries are little packets of extractable power which use lithium in its pure metallic form. Straight lithium batteries are considered a “primary battery,” or a battery that cannot be recharged. Secondary batteries or cells can be recharged.
Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are a fairly new development in which more stable lithium compounds are used. One of the primary advantages of lithium-ions, or Li-ions, is that they can be recharged hundreds, sometimes even thousands of times. Two or more secondary cells are restored to full charge through electrical energy in this process.
But perhaps we should backtrack. Why are some batteries rechargeable and others not? It’s actually fairly simple. Rechargeable batteries can recoup their precious energy because they contain electrochemical cells in which the electrochemical reaction that releases energy is reversible. These cells are a type of accumulator. In the case of Li-ions, the ions move between two parts – the anode and the cathode. Anode to cathode movement charges; cathode to anode movement recharges. Other types of secondary cells include lead and sulfuric acid combos, nickel cadmium (NiCD), lithium-ion polymer and nickel metal hydride (NiMH), the last of which is used in most hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) batteries.
The advantages of lithium-ions over non-rechargeable and other rechargeable batteries are numerous. For one, Li-ions have a higher energy density than their counterparts, meaning they store much more energy for their size and weight than other rechargeables. More energy means fewer cells are needed to accomplish the same task. More cells in the same space as, for instance, NiMHs means more energy. They also operate at higher voltages – three times that of NiMH batteries – and have a lower self-discharge rate, so they lose energy slowly while not in use.
The implications for the auto industry are profound. What if cars really could run without gasoline? Could this go so far as to affect the world economy? How powerful are these things, really?
A prominent energy researcher for a government agency believes Li-ion batteries will soon replace NiMH models in HEVs. Major auto manufacturers are already planning to release full plug-ins (cars that run on electrical energy often stored in Li-ion batteries) by 2010.
While these little powerhouses can come at a premium of up to $10,000 by some estimations, many experts believe that number will dramatically decrease as the law of supply and demand takes effect.
Lest the battery world becomes unrealistically rosy however, Li-ions do have disadvantages. One, they’re dramatically more expensive. Two, Li-ions require more sophisticated chargers – again, creating the problem of increased cost and low supply. Three, Li-ions are sensitive to the environmental conditions. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold can reduce their functionality and life. Four, Li-ion batteries slowly but predictably degrade over time reducing their capacity.
Certain manufacturers for the auto industry are foreseeing the coming of this technology and beginning to produce hybrid vehicle battery pack systems designed for single or multi-element battery cells that can be globally integrated with any lithium-ion or NiMH battery. The best of them have reusable building block technologies, can accommodate a range of voltages, have systems that maintain the health of the battery cells and are applicable to mild hybrids, full hybrids, or electric vehicles. These “packs” are an important part of what could make quicker mass integration into the hybrid market possible.
Times they are a changin’. Who wouldn’t want a fuel-free car? Regardless of certain disadvantages, Li-ion innovations – and accommodations to suit them – are coming. They’re just too promising.
About the Author: Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.
Delphi is committed to contributing state-of-the-art technologies and innovations in order to help make our roadways greener. For more information, visit www.Delphi.com/4green.
Source: www.isnare.com
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