Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

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In this book the most frequent and important questions about electric mobility are described and answered. For more information just visit www.green-and-energy.com

Transcript of Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Page 1: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

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Page 2: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

© Green & Energy GmbH

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Version 1,0 - July 2011

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Table of Contents

Prologue 1

Introduction 2

A brief overview 4

1-How do you charge an electric car? 11

2-What is the lifespan of an electric car? 16

3-What is the range of an electric car? 20

4-What are the costs of an electric car? 25

5-Do governments promote the purchase of electric cars? 29

6-Is the electric car just another passing fad? 32

7-What are the levels of CO2 emissions from electric cars? 35

8-What kind of maintenance and repair do electric cars need? 38

9-Will the batteries be available in the long term? 40

10-How are electric car batteries recycled? 43

Conclusion/ Summary 45

Glossary of key terms related to electric-mobility 50

The Authors 54

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Prologue

Today, the issue of electr ic

mobility is more current than

ever. After conducting many

conversations with people who

are not experts in the field and

having analyzed their needs, we

realized that the general public

lacks fundamental information

about electric mobility and its

modern use. This book was

motivated by the desire to remove this deficit in basic information, or at the very least, reduce

it. It is not aimed at the scientific community and specialized public but rather for general

readers who are interested in learning more about the subject.

The authors are three scientists who have dedicated themselves to the issue both during and

after their studies. They collectively decided to explain and share their knowledge on electric

mobility, explaining it in a way that is simple to understand, removing any existing prejudices and

refuting any misconceptions.

This has been accomplished by avoiding the excessive use of puzzling technical vocabulary or

the excessive use of data. A thorough reading of this book will provide you with a basic

knowledge of electric mobility and give you the opportunity to learn about the advantages and

current disadvantages and the possible solutions to these issues.

This book is designed to give an independent view of the electrical performance of the cars and

their various uses as well as to provide the reader with an informed understanding of the topic.

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Introduction

„Wha t i n t e r e s t s y ou abou t e l e c t r i c mobil ity?“ - A survey.Before we started working on this guide it was important for us to know what questions were

most important for the public. With this objective, we published a survey on the internet on

various platforms. We eventually managed to encourage 4,000 people from different areas,

countries and ages to participate in a survey. They were provided with a questionnaire consisting

of 20 questions on electric mobility and, taking into account their interests and prior

knowledge, were asked to prioritize their answers according to relevance and importance. The

results of the survey are shown in the chart below.

Figure 1: The ten most important questions about electric mobility

How do you recharge an electric car?

What is the lifespan of an electric car?

How much autonomy does an electric car have?

What are the costs of an electric car?

Are there any governmental subsidies for electric cars?

Is the electric car just another hype?

What are the levels of CO2 emissions from electric cars?

What kind of maintenance and repair do they need?

Will the batteries be available in the long term?

How do you recycle electric car batteries?

0 % 25 % 50 % 75 % 100 %

80,1 %

83,9 %

86,8 %

87,1 %

87,8 %

88,6 %

95,3 %

95,5 %

96,5 %

97,0 %

important unimportant doesn’t matter

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Number one on the list and therefore the question that generates the most interest is the

question about how to recharge an electric car. The demand for information is also largely

focussed around the life and autonomy of operating an electric vehicle. In turn, the survey

frequently threw up questions about the price of the vehicles and the promotion of them in

different countries. The participation of almost 4,000 respondents demonstrates the great

interest in electric mobility and the number of people interested in learning more about the

topic.

The survey helped us to discover the ten most common questions about electric mobility.

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A brief overview

Currently, car dealers mainly feature cars with a

conventional combustion engine. However, as this

book will attempt to explain, they are beginning to

understand that in the future, sales of hybrid and

electric cars will grow. In this context, modern and

alternative technology frequently appears as a

series of concepts, parameters and names that you

may have heard of but whose correct definition is

not fully known. To prevent possible confusion and

to provide clarity from the beginning, this chapter is

an introduction to the subject and provides a

concise perspective on these technologies, as well

as explaining some of the new concepts.

Even the manufacturers themselves have problems

using the correct technical vocabulary. This is

demonstrated in the official description of a

product written by a British subsidiary of a US car manufacturer. It indicates an electric car

battery with a capacity of 111 kWh (kilowatt hours), a fact which simply cannot be true. The car

has 111 kW, a measurement that is used to indicate the electrical power more than to refer to

the capacity of the electric car’s battery. (see http://www.green-and-energy.com/blog/the-need-

forclarification-around-evs/).

Did you know that the first

electric car was built in 1834 by

Thomas Davenport? The vehicle

was a prototype and did not have

rechargeable batteries. When Carl

Friedrich Benz introduced the first

petrol automobile in 1885, the

electric car was already known,

but the low cost of fuel at the

time meant that the combustion

engine prevailed.

Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/

wiki/ Thomas_Davenport

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The main difference between cars

with a combustion engine and an

electric motor lies in the energy

source used to enable locomotion.

In combustion engines the energy

sources are liquid or gaseous fuels

derived mostly from fossils. Both oil

and natural gas are accessible and

finite resources. Additionally, access

to these materials is restricted to

ce r t a i n r e g ion s wh i ch ha s

generated a significant dependence

on imports from the countries

where the fuels are found. The

need for these deposits has often resulted in political tension and even war.

For decades the increasing global demand and limited supply of these resources has led to a

continuous increase in the price of petrol and diesel. Another basic argument against the use of

fossil fuels is the environmental impact caused by their burning. For example, it is from carbon

dioxide emissions that we get the so-called “Greenhouse Effect” that has been proven to cause

climate change, resulting in many countries committing to reduce their emissions. Therefore,

despite the claims that liquid and gaseous fuels can be obtained through Biomass, these

methods have certain disadvantages. For example, to obtain the necessary amounts of Biogas

and other Biofuels it would be necessary to turn to agricultural areas that are otherwise needed

for food production. This is particularly problematic in those countries where food production

and supply of goods for the general population is already difficult.

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The f ac t s ou t l i ned above

demonstrate that the internal

combustion engine alone does

not represent the technology of

the future, although at the

present time it satisfies almost all

consumer mobility needs. Unlike

conventional vehicles, electric cars store the energy they need for their operation in chemical

form in a battery. Cars with combustion engines also use batteries to store energy, not for

traction but primarily for starting the engine. In this context they are described as “starter

batteries”. If the accumulated energy is used for

the motion (traction) of the vehicle they are called

“traction batteries”. Traction batteries can store a

much higher quantity of energy than the starter

battery. An ordinary lead-acid battery is adequate

for a starter battery, while the traction battery

requires more advanced technologies such as

lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH).

The energy for the electric traction can be

obtained through local and renewable energy

sources. Thus, through electric mobility emission

free mobility can be ensured. Another advantage is

that the dependency on oil or gas producing

countries is no longer existing. Therefore, the

vehicle owner is not subjected to the costs

dictated by the oil companies. If the electricity is

not produced emission free, electric cars are responsible for CO2 emissions which are not

emitted into the environment from the vehicle, like conventional cars, but from the production

process.

Did you know that the CO2 produced during the

combustion of biofuels is almost the same as the

amount a plant captures during its growth? For that

reason, biofuels are CO2 neutral.

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Along with the extensive number of utility companies there are also numerous methods of

producing energy through both fossil and renewable sources, meaning that supply problems or

dependence can be virtually eliminated. CO2 emissions per kilowatt hours vary from country to

country depending on the used power plants respectively used methods for the generation of

electricity. The current emissions of different countries are shown in the figure below. France,

with about 102  g of CO2/kWh, is amongst the countries with the lowest specific emissions

worldwide. This is because over 75 %1 of the electricity is generated by nuclear plants which

have relatively low CO2 emissions when compared to plants fueled by coal, gas or oil.

Figure 2: Specific emissions for electricity production in different countries2,3

0

180

360

540

720

900

CO

2 emissions of electricity production in kg/kW

h

575

249102

454667

813

Germany Austria France Europe USA China

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1 http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf40.html

2 http://www.zukunft-elektroauto.de/pageID_8368817.html [GEMIS (2009)]

3 http://www.umweltbundesamt.at/fileadmin/site/publikationen/REP0303.pdf

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Due to technological advances and the

growth of renewable systems, the

average carbon dioxide emissions from

power p l an t s a re con t i nuous l y

decreasing. Thus, the levels of CO2 per

kilowatt hour produced will also

continue to decrease. Even if the electric

cars are not recharged by electricity

generated solely through renewable

energies the emissions will still decline.

The CO2 emissions will be separately

reviewed in Chapter 7.

Along with the pure electric cars that

are slowly arriving on the market there

are also hybrid cars that are already

growing in popularity. The term “hybrid”

generally refers to vehicle systems in

which two or more technologies are

combined. They have an internal

combustion engine and an electric

motor which make them a ver y

attractive option, as apart from the

lower energy consumption and therefore lower emissions of gases that cause pollution, they can

be propelled purely through electricity even if only for relatively few kilometers. In this way you

get the advantage of both technologies and compensation for the disadvantages of each.

Did you know that the vehicle known as the

Lohner-Porsche was displayed at the

Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900? It was

an electric car with the motor on the wheel

hub. The image shows the racing version

with the electric wheel hubs on all four

wheels!

Source : http : / /de .wik ipedia .or g/wik i /

Ferdinand_Porsche#Elektroauto_Lohner-

Porsche

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The electric motor is, in terms of efficiency, superior

to the combustion engine. An electric motor has an

efficiency factor of circa 95 % or more whereas a

modern diesel powered engine only has a maximum

efficiency of about 35 %. Depending on the driving

characteristic and the route profile (for example

driving in city traffic), this value is further reduced by

a couple of percentage points and most of the fuel is

used to heat the atmosphere rather than to propel

the vehicle.

Another advantage of the electric car is the ability to

recover the kinetic energy during braking. Braking,

which has been a purely mechanical process up to

now, can be a l so accompl i shed through

electromagnetic forces that generate electricity and

recharge the battery. This is known as “recuperation”

and is particularly effective when driving in city

traffic.

Currently there are many different configurations in the world of hybrids. They differ according

to the various traction components as well as the degree of electrification of the vehicle. The

variety reaches from Micro-Hybrid electric cars with only a “Start and Stop” function to electric

cars with a so called Range Extender, which could be a small engine or fuel cell. The Range

Extender generates electric energy while driving in order to recharge the battery or to directly

drive the electric engine.

D i d yo u k n ow t h a t t h e

Greenhouse Effect is caused by

greenhouse gases like CO2 or

methane. The greenhouse gases

constrain the transmission of the

suns rays reflected by the earths

surface, which leads to rising

global temperatures. Scientists as

well as politicians came to a

worldwide agreement that the

extreme characteristics of the

current greenhouse effect and

therefore global warming is

caused by the emissions created

by humanity.

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In a pure electric vehicle (EV) the engine is omitted. The car is equipped exclusively with an

electric motor powered only by the battery.

Figure 2: Hybrid car (left) and a pure electric car (right)

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Electric motor / generator Battery

Range Extender Fuel tank Electronics

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1-How do you charge an electric car?

What are the different ways to recharge an electric car?

Cur rent ly there a re no

standardized methods for

charging electric cars, but we

assume this will change soon.

Generally there are three main

ways: conductive charging,

inductive charging and by

changing the battery.

Using the conductive method

the car (battery) is connected

by a cable and plugged directly into an electricity provider. The inductive method, in contrast,

works through electromagnetic transmission without any contact between the EV and the

charging infrastructure. The charging spot is equipped with wires which carry an alternating

current as soon as the EV is at the right place. The alternating current creates an

electromagnetic field, which affects the receiver (also consisting of wires) in the EV in a way that

a current is induced and charges the battery. This method is the same as that used to charge

electric toothbrushes.

Currently, both the automotive industry and operators of charging stations prefer conductive

charging because it is much cheaper and more efficient. Yet there are several R&D projects

which focus on the further improvement of inductive charging, because it offers a way better

user comfort and could be a key feature for electric mobility.

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The third possibility takes into consideration the swapping of discharged batteries with fresh

ones in a swapping station. This concept is being developed today by, amongst others, an Israeli

company. However for this to be possible the dimensions and internal connections for the

batteries must be standardized. Each electric car from each manufacturer would have to have

virtually the same size, shape and type of battery. As this reduces the OEM’s freedom of design

and given that the choice of placement of the battery would be severely reduced, most of the

manufacturers reject this method.

How long does it take to charge the batteries?

The time required to recharge the

batteries depends on several

factors. Firstly- the available power

from the grid and the state of

charge of the battery. Secondly,

t h e r e a r e t h e s p e c i fi c

characteristic values of both the

car and the battery such as the

battery type, the cooling system

and the maximum permissible

current.

For example , a conventional

household outlet in Europe can achieve an output close to 3.5 kilowatt (kW) (Analog to Level 1

charging in USA, with 2 kW). Therefore, a battery with a capacity of 3.5 kilowatt hours (kWh)

can be charged in one hour, regardless of any energy losses and other effects during the charge.

This means that the procedure for charging a 20 kWh traction battery takes around 6 hours (in

USA with Level 1 10 hours). However, a high voltage power port supplies around 22 kW (Level

2 charging) so the same battery would be fully charged in around 50 minutes. This fast load can

only be guaranteed in facilities that have been technically upgraded for this purpose which

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represents a considerable expense. Furthermore, the current battery types still react sensitively

to variable charging methods and therefore these methods of fast charging are not yet standard.

It could be that the implementation of fast charging infrastructure would be a result of simply

putting it in the public’s consciousness, to demonstrate to the users that fast charging is possible

and that additional unscheduled trips could be fulfilled. Vehicles are generally used every day and

owing to the average distances travelled and the time the vehicle is parked etc., a level 1

charging installation should suffice in a majority of cases.

As for the amount of energy recharged there are two reasonable possibilities: A complete

charge to 100 % or an 80 % charge. An 80 % charge is recommended when the process needs

to be finished in a hurry and if you are not going to make long journeys afterwards. The

problem with charging the batteries is that the charging of the last 10 or 20 % is slower and

produces more losses in the form of heat. The following figure can help to explain the influence

of load power during the process of recharging car batteries.

Figure 3: Time necessary for the charging process depending on the charging power and the amount of energy required.

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Cha

rgin

g tim

e in

hou

rs

Amount of energy recharged in kWh

Level 1 Europe’s level 1 Level 2 Level 3

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Battery swapping would be, in terms of time demand,

probably the best way to provide a full battery. With the

technologies available today it would just take around a

minute to get a fresh one. The downside of this technology

is it’s high cost. It would involve not only a new and

expensive infrastructure (the swapping stations) but you

would also need a certain amount of costly batteries for

the exchange. It would also be necessary to standardize

batteries to be compatible with all car models and because

of this the removable battery system is rejected by many

OEMs as well as many investors in this sector.

The recharging time is one of the most important aspects

in the discussions about electric mobility. A look at the

average use of the car4 demonstrates that a large part of

the vehicle’s lifetime is spent off the road so in most cases

fast charging is not necessary. Furthermore, most of the

every day journeys in Germany and Europe are below 50 km and could easily be fulfilled by

electric vehicles despite the range limitation.

Did you know that you

would have to pay about

10,50 € for a 100 km

drive with a conventional

car (for an average fuel

consumption of 7 l /

100km and a fuel price of

1,50 €/l)? With an EV the

cost would just be around

4 € ( for an ener gy

demand of 20 kWh/

100km and a price of 0,2

€/kWh).

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4 Grau, A.: Pendler : Die Mehrheit nimmt weiter das Auto, Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden, 2009

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When and where can the batteries be recharged?In theory, the batteries could be recharged at any time

and in any place that has an electrical installation

available. This means that the car could be charged

either at home or at the workplace as well as at a

public charging station. There are plans for the future

implementation of charging stations at strategic

points, e.g. in car parks or at shopping malls. In this way

the energy can be partially or even completely

recharged easily while the owner is, for example, in the

supermarket or visiting a doctor. Yet, these public

stations are especially useful for partial charging. It is

more convenient to fully charge the batteries in the

evening. There are two reasons why this is more

desirable: firstly because cars are generally used less in

the evenings and secondly because there is less

electricity consumption in the evenings so the grid will

not be overloaded. There is a further cost advantage if

the consumer has the possibility of contracting a

cheaper night time electricity tariff. This would not only

prevent change in the network stability but would

reduce the demand for new power plants. With the help of “smart” electricity meters

commonly known as “SmartMeters” you can recharge your vehicle at a time of night that would

be more economical.

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2-What is the l i fespan of an electric car?

The lifespan of an electric car depends

primarily on the battery. The lifespan of

the rest of the vehicle’s components is

comparable to those of conventional

cars or may even do need less

maintenance. For example, the lack of a

gear system or a complex cooling

system for the engine saves a lot of

visits to the mechanic.

Some automobile companies currently

offer a guarantee on traction batteries.

For example , the GM5 Volt is

guaranteed for 8 years and/or 160,000

km6 (100,000 miles) and the Tesla

Roadster comes with a 7 year and/or

160,000 km7 guarantee.

Like all other chemical storage systems,

lithium batteries, currently the most

promising technology for use in electric

cars, react to environmental effects and

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5 http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/eco/gm-gewaehrt-acht-jahre-garantie-auf-volt-batterie-acht-jahre-garantie-auf-batterie-des-volt-1930194.html

6 http://gm-volt.com/2010/07/19/chevrolet-volt-battery-warranty-details-and-clarifications/

7 http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/program-update

Page 20: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

show signs of wear, so their life can be limited to some extent depending on their use.

This signifies that the battery capacity is reduced

slightly with each charging cycle due to the

numerous internal reactions caused by the charging

process.

Put simply, the loss in capacity (aging) of the

batter ies accelerates significantly with the

temperature and the current as well as the number

of charging cycles.

This background knowledge answers the most

common questions about the lifespan of an electric

car. As for the “memory effect” (an effect observed

in some batteries that causes them to hold less

charge, specifically when the batteries lose their

maximum energy capacity when they are repeatedly charged after being only partially

discharged) known from batteries of the past it is safe to say that this effect does no longer

exist, or it should only minimally affect modern batteries.

Did you know that l ithium

batteries are constantly aging?

There are sever a l interna l

processes which lead to an aging

during the phases of usage

(charging and discharging) as well

as during periods of storage.

Therefore the possible usage of

current lithium batteries today is

limited to a maximum of 8 to 10

years.

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Do the batteries age faster in Winter or Summer?Low temperatures, without being extremely low, both during use and when the vehicle is

parked, reduce the pace of the aging process in lithium batteries. For this reason the batteries

deteriorate markedly slower in winter than in the summer. During the summer months it makes

sense to protect the batteries with an appropriate cooling system.

That said - extreme low temperatures can also damage some types of batteries.

Is the l i fespan of the battery longer if the car is used less often?L i th i um ba t te r i e s a re

affected by calendaric aging

as well as an aging due to

the charging and discharging

cycles. Calendaric aging

means that regardless of

usage, the batteries will age

as time passes by. Because

of this effect the lifespan of

a lithium battery is reduced

to 10 years, 15 maximum, even when it is not used.

On the other hand, the cyclic aging is dependent on the frequency that the battery is charged

and discharged. Modern batteries can withstand between 2,000 and 3,000 cycles (charging and

discharging) so assuming a full charge cycle per day the life of the battery would be between 5

and 8 years. Under this assumption and depending on the type of battery you could say that the

life of a battery can be lengthened by moderate use. Yet, in general there are certain limitations

for the batteries life, which can not be prolonged even by not using the vehicle.

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Depending on the type of battery, cyclic aging may be lower than calendaric aging. Put in other

words, no matter how many miles the car travels, the aging of the battery is dictated by the

passage of time.

How can the l i fespan of the battery be influenced?The life of the lithium battery depends directly on their proper use. Mishandling can have a

negative influence in the conservation of energy storage and handled correctly the life of the

battery can be extended considerably. The main factor here is the temperature of the battery,

coupled with the correct charging and discharging. Fast charging will lead to higher current flow

(amps) into the battery and will accelerate cyclic aging. It will lead also to higher battery

temperatures and thus to faster aging due to the temperature.

Both overcharging and deep discharging can also

shorten the battery life. These two effects are usually

regulated and prevented by the electronics of the

vehicle.

The battery life is currently estimated to be 5 to 8

years. In contrast, the average life of a conventional car in

Europe is about 12 to 15 years8, which is considerably

longer. This is one of the weak points of the electric car

and explains why the companies are working hard to

improve this statistic.

However, if the total costs of ownership are taken into

account, an electric car can be cost effective compared

to a conventional vehicle despite the shorter lifespan and higher investment.

Did you know that the

energy consumption in

winter, with temperatures

touching freezing point, can

rise from 16 kWh/100 km to

24 kWh/100 km just by

using the heating? This means

that the range of the vehicle

lowers from 120 km to 80

km.

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8 http://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SEC:2007:0015:FIN:DE:HTML

Page 23: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

3-What is the range of an electric car?

In theory the range

of an electric car

depends on both the

energy stored and

t h e a m o u n t o f

energy required by

the car.

The g rea te r the

capacity of a traction

battery, the greater

the range of the car. However the range can be reduced by the manner the vehicle is driven.

The energy consumption of an electric car in Europe is given in kWh (kilowatt hours) per 100

km. A small electric vehicle driven in city traffic needs on average 15 kWh/100 km, which when

translated into liters of gasoline is about 1.5 liters/100km (157 MPG). The consumption of a

traditional car in urban traffic is, as everybody knows from experience, about or even more than

7 liters of gasoline per 100km (35 MPG and lower). This clearly demonstrates that the energy

requirements of an electric car are far below that of the combustion car.

A car equipped with a traction battery of 30 kWh and a specific energy consumption of 15

kWh/100 km has a theoretical range of 200 km. This theoretical range is further influenced in

practice by the way the vehicle is driven and other parameters like cooling and lights. These

parameters also appear in conventional vehicles with combustion engines but affect the electric

car’s range considerably more because of the lower energy stored in the battery compared to

the quantity of energy stored in gas tanks.

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Before getting into the specifics of the aforementioned parameters we should clarify the

relationship between the speed and power demands of the car. Both electric cars and

conventional cars need more power at higher speeds. For conventional cars, this effect reflects

in a higher consumption per 100 km (or lower mileage per gallon) at higher speeds, as shown in

figure 4. If you drive at a high speed for a long journey the car will require more power for a

long period. This leads to a high energy requirement and therefore a small range.

0

25

50

75

100

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Speed in km/h

Req

uire

d po

wer

in k

W

Figure 4: Power requirement of a car depending on the driving speed.

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Car dependent parameters:Here you have to look at the weight and shape of the car. The heavier and larger the car, the

higher the driving resistances that have to be overcome while moving the car. For example the

air resistance, which is directly proportional to the front surface of the vehicle, results in high

consumption and low range. This explains why an SUV needs between 10 and 15 liters per 100

km (23 MPG and lower), two or three times more than a small car traveling the same distance

that usually requires 4 to 5 liters per 100 km (52 MPG). iEV is a quick and effective way to

calculate the energy consumption of an electric car, even before having it.9

User dependent parameters:The driver can influence the range of an

electric car in three ways. As shown in the

graph above, the way that you drive plays a

role. If you accelerate too much or

maintain very high speeds, the range is

affected. The recuperation via regenerative

braking is also smaller on the motorway.

Other factor s that should not be

overlooked are additional accessories in

the vehicle such as using the air

conditioning or having the heating on. Any

additional weight also affects the range, if

the boot is filled with boxes or bags or all

of the seats are occupied with passengers

the vehicle is heavier which has a negative

impact on the range of an electric car.

Did you know that calculating your

p e r s o n a l e n e r g y

consumption is essential

before buying an electric

car? The authors of this

ebook, recognized the

impor tance of this and

developed a calculation algorithm and

implemented it into an iPhone app to

perform this task.

http://dottribes.com/iEV

With iEV you can calculate which battery

will satisfy your mobility needs.

22

9 EV simulator for electric cars for the iPhone - http://dottribes.com/iev

Page 26: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Env i r onmen t dependen t pa rame te r s : This sect ion inc ludes the outdoor

temperature, the distance travelled and the

traffic conditions. The outside temperature

affects the range because it influences the

need for heating or cooling. Electric cars

have in winter, unlike petrol cars, the

drawback that the heating needs to be

powered by the battery, which decreases

the range massively. Residual heat from the

electrical components is not sufficient to

heat the interior of the vehicle due to its

high performance. Additionally, in very low

temperatures and depending on the type of

battery (e.g NiMH), only a small portion of the energy that is stored can be used to power the

car. Another important factor is geography because during climbs the car requires more energy

which can be recuperated going downhill through braking.

Energy consumption and autonomy depend on the type of journey and this explains why both

can differ considerably. In tests carried out a small electric prototype car demonstrated a

consumption of 10 kWh/100 km in urban traffic, about 15 kWh/100 km in intercity traffic and

20 kWh/100 km on motorways. The reason why motorway journeys require a greater amount

of energy is because of the higher speeds.

Did you know that the energy

c o n s u m p t i o n i n w i n t e r , w i t h

temperatures touching freezing point, can

rise from 16 kWh/100 km to 24 kWh/

100 km just by using the heating? This

means that the range of the vehicle

lowers from 120 km to 80 km.

S o u r c e : F o r s c h u n g s s t e l l e f ü r

Ener g iewi r t scha f t e .V. , München

(unpublished)( http://www.ffe.de)

23

Page 27: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

In summary, one could say

that the limited range of

electric cars could cover the

mobi l i ty needs of the

current average driver. 90 %

of daily trips made by the

average european driver ̶ from home to work and

work to home ̶ is usually

less than 50  km10 and is

within an electr ic car’s

range. Obviously the manufacturers of electric cars are struggling to find solutions for future

mobility requirements and are trying to ensure that the needs of all users can be met by an

electric car, (for example through the use of a range extender). Do you want to see, if an

electric car could be something for you? With iEV you can test it!11

24

10 www.eds-destatis.de

11 More information for iEV under http://dottribes.com/ebook-iev

Page 28: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

4-What are the costs of an electric car?

For the consumer, the cost is one of the

most important criteria when buying a

car. It is the single factor that dictates

whether the next car you buy will be an

electric car or not. This brings us to the

purchase price. Several surveys have

shown the limits and the surcharges

that consumers are willing to pay.

Results showed that consumers would

spend a maximum of 24,000 €12 for an

electr ic car with 58  % of the

respondents stating that they would pay

an extra surcharge of 4,000 € 13 for an

electric car if necessary. Automobile

manufacturers calculate the price of an

average electric car between 35,000

and 40,000 € in the European market.

Similar prices are targeted for the US

market.

The largest percentage of the price is in the batteries. According to a study by Roland Berger

and the Market Research Institute TNS Infratest, the surcharge will fall below 4,500 € by 2020.

This indicates that there is a noticeable discrepancy between the prices that the users are

prepared to pay and the manufacturers estimated cost. Therefore it is essential to look not only

25

12 https://www.uni-due.de/de/presse/meldung.php?id=2428

13 http://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen-maerkte/deutsche-sehnen-das-elektroauto-herbei-429125/

Page 29: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

at the cost of acquisition but at the cost of the vehicle throughout it’s total cost of ownership

(TCO)14.

Comparing the TCO, it is clear that the electric car, compared to a conventional one, might have

a great potential for savings. The savings generated from electric cars are largely a result of low

energy costs and better efficiency, plus the energy source used is more economical. The

maintenance of the vehicles is also more economical as there is less wear on their components.

This issue is explored in more depth in Chapter 8.

The consumer should not fall into the trap of seeing

only the purchase price of the car which could make

him reluctant to purchase it. It should also be taken

into account that there are few electric cars on the

market. However, many manufacturers have

announced that they will be launching models in

2011 and 2012. As soon as mass produced vehicles

enter the market, the consumer will see a decline in

price.

Batteries are the most expensive element in a

electric car. Currently they cost nearly 1,000 € per

kWh of storage, so the price of a lithium battery with a capacity between 20 and 35 kWh is

between 20,000 and 35,000 €. This is why the purchase cost of an electric car is so high today.

Electric cars will become more attractive when the battery price drops, or alternatively when

the cost of fossil fuels increases.

The car industry is aware of this problem and is working on strategies to lower the price of

batteries for users, for example they have considered the possibility that the customer does not

acquire the battery with the vehicle but instead leases it as a separate component from the

vehicle manufacturers. This way the batteries are removed when they no longer have the

required capacity as a traction battery and can be given a second life through stationary usage.

Did you know that a large

proportion of fuel prices in

Europe are taxes? They have a

tendency to rise. The current

price of a barrel of fuel is around

90 or 110 dollars a barrel, which

means just 33 to 37 cents per

liter. The rest of the fuel costs

are taxes

26

14 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_cost_of_ownership

Page 30: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Since all of the electric mobility technology - from the cars to the batteries - is currently still in

the development stage, we can deduce that there is still great potential for cost reduction

through a combination of the effects of mass production and continuous and progressive

technological development.

Even today there are both public and private

transportation systems that are fully electric

and are very profitable, for example electric

scooters. The scooters are already available

on the market in a wide variety of models

and the electric scooters suitable for urban traffic are now on sale for less than 1,000 €.

Electric scooters show slightly higher investment costs than their current petrol equivalents. The

prices depend directly on the battery technology used and their capacity, although the additional

purchase costs are compensated for by lower usage costs over a few thousand kilometers. This

relationship is demonstrated in figure 5.

0 €

250 €

500 €

750 €

1,000 €

1,250 €

1,500 €

0 1,250 2,500 3,750 5,000

Ove

rall

cost

s

Driven distance in km

Electric Scooter Petrol Scooter

Figure 5: Comparison of costs between an electric scooter and another with a gas powered engine.

Did you know that usually, using energy

at night is cheaper than during the day?

27

Page 31: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Electric scooters can also be a good additional investment to a car and not only as an

alternative to a combustion engine scooter. A cost analysis demonstrates from what mileage the

acquisition costs of a scooter are amortized.

The saving in running costs of a car can pay for the total costs of buying an electric scooter. The

following figure shows the total costs of an electric scooter as an additional investment to three

Volkswagen models when comparing the amount of kilometers travelled. The graph shows that

the scooter is more economical beyond 6,500 km as an additional investment to the car, taking

into account the current costs of electricity, fuel and other expenses.

0 €

1000 €

2000 €

3000 €

4000 €

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000

Cos

ts

Driven distance in km

VW Passat VW Golf VW Polo Electric Scooter

Figure 6: Comparison of the total cost of ownership of an electric scooter with the variable costs of three vehicles15

28

15 Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft München - (unpublished).

Page 32: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

5-Do governments promote the purchase of electric cars?

The government’s role is important

in encouraging people to consider

electric transport as an option in

urban areas. After all, as with any

new technology there are always

difficulties to be overcome at the

outset. To answer the initial

question, there is no universal

worldwide approach for promoting

EVs. Some nations regard the

direct funding via governmental

grants for the purchase of an EV as

a suitable way of introducing of

e l e c t r i c m o b i l i t y . O t h e r

governments prefer an increase in

research and development.

Leading the way in subsidies for the

purchase of an electric car is Japan,

which contributes 10,000 € for the

purchase of a vehicle of this type. In

this way they are trying to encourage the purchase of the first generation of electric cars which

inevitably are highly prices (as noted in chapter four).

29

Page 33: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

The figure below shows which countries contribute to the purchase of an electric car and how

much they provide as an incentive.

Japan

China

Canada

Spain

GB

USA

France

Italy

Ireland

Germany

0 € 2,500 € 5,000 € 7,500 € 10,000 €

0 €

2,500 €

3,500 €

5,000 €

5,500 €

5,700 €

6,000 €

6,400 €

6,800 €

10,000 €

Subsidy in € for each country

Figure 7: Subsidy in Euros provided by each country

As already mentioned before, direct financial support to buyers of electric cars is not the only

way governments can promote the implementation of this new technology. There are a number

of opportunities in the grants that governments provide that the consumer can take advantage

of indirectly, for example investment in research. This ensures the continuous improvement of

the car and battery and the subsequent development of technical innovations. Alongside the

subsidies there are also numerous other state funded aids that may be advantageous for

buyers, such as parking lots or separate lanes for these vehicles in busy areas.

30

Page 34: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

The different possibilities of direct and indirect promotion are shown in more detail in Figure 8.

Common Opportunities for subsidies

Direct subsidies

•Investment costs associated with the car

•Fiscal advantages for the car through the costs of electricity

•Reductions in insurance costs•Loans with low interest rates•Preferential parking spaces•Special driving lanes

Indirect subsidies

•Investment for R & D Automotive and battery technology

•Implementation of an infrastructure Charging stations & battery recycling

•Preparation for market introduction Field trial in pilot regions

Figure 8: Subsidy possibilities for electric mobility

In summary, one can say that the subsidies governments provide for electric mobility are

reasonable although the governments should be careful not to focus simply on the way the

subsidies are provide, but also be conscious of providing the subsidies at the opportune

moment.

Although Germany aims to take a pioneering role in electric mobility, the German government

is currently left considerably behind their European neighbors in terms of promotion. There has

been much discussion on the provision of subsidies in Germany but so far there are no

subsidies available from the German government, although money has been spent on various

investigations into the subject. Even the smaller countries such as Ireland are considerably more

advanced in the subsidization of electric cars

31

Page 35: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

6-Is the electric car just another passing fad?

This question can be

answered with a clear

and resounding NO. As

we have previously

exp la ined , e lec t r i c

mobility is not just

another technology

that will be fashionable

for a while. Finding

alternatives to oil and

finite fossil fuels that are harmful to both the environment and people´s health is of utmost

importance. Furthermore the costs of finite fossil fuels will inevitably rise due to the limitation in

combination with the constant increasing demand. For which reason a shift to alternatives is also

necessary from an economic point of view.

It is imperative to redefine the term “mobility” and find an alternative to the conventional

vehicles that are contributing to the greenhouse gasses that are continuously accelerating

climate change.

32

Page 36: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Many governments especially in Europe, Asia and the USA

have set ambitious goals for the eventual integration of

electric cars into urban traffic and are promoting projects

by providing financial resources. The automotive industry

has also recognized the need to act and they are being

forced to manufacture and develop electric cars that are

suitable for a broad market. In recent years studies have

shown that the consumer has become considerably more

sensitive to their own environmental impact. Ten years ago

these issues were not given much consideration but today

they feature amongst the top 5 factors and criteria that

determine which vehicle the consumer will purchase16.

Many international companies are spending enormous

amounts of money attempting to transform urban traffic through the use of electric cars which

again confirms that the future of electric vehicles is very promising.

It is very likely however that in the future this

area will not be dominated by a single traction

technology and there will be many different

types of technology being used in different

fields. Thus, the electric car will be used primarily

as a city vehicle and for commuting to work. For

longer distances drivers will be able to use

technologies such as hybrid cars or electric

vehicles with range extenders (additional energy

storage and engines to extend the range of the

car). These vehicles can make urban driving

purely electric (no local emissions) but then

they can also make longer journeys without

having to worry about their range.

Did you know that EVs

are already economical in

diverse application areas

(e .g . Taxi , Bus etc . ) ?

D e s p i t e t h e h i g h e r

investment costs, the

much lower variable costs

(energy, service etc.) and

the h i gh k i l omete r s

travelled make it possible.

33

16 http://www.energie-info.net/diesel-und-benziner/umweltschutz-beeinflusst-kaufentscheidung.html

Page 37: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Biofuels will also play a role in the future “mobility

mix”, meaning a combination of different energy

sources. These fuels will even be suitable for trucks

and long haul vehicles that usually run on diesel.

Biofuels have already been tested in this area with

great success, including air travel!

As for future forms of mobility two things are

required. Firstly, the fuels need to be green and thus

help minimize the emissions that contribute to the

greenhouse effect so that the rapid advance of

climate change is reduced. Secondly, the mobility alternatives must be widely available to

consumers and economically viable. Both of these demands cannot be met by conventional

driving technologies used up to now. For this reason, electric mobility and its derivatives will

make an enormous contribution in the future.

Did you know that most of the

oil producing countries are

already in the process of turning

away from fossil fuels? They

invest in renewable energies,

which demonstrates that electric

mobil ity has an enormous

potential.

34

Page 38: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

7-What are the levels of CO2 emissions from electric cars?

CO2 emissions from electric

cars basically depend on how

the electricity is produced

since - as mentioned before

- the cars do not emit CO2

during driving.

This fact also reveals the

reason for the variety of

CO2 emitted by EVs charged

from different sources in

different countries. Therefore

the information e.g. in Germany emissions vary from 0 g CO2/kWh when the electricity comes

from natural sources and around 575 g CO2/kWh17 when measured against the regular

German mix (a mixture of all of the electricity generation systems). In other countries the

mixed power generation tariff is as follows18,19: France 102 g CO2/kWh, Spain 390 g CO2/kWh,

Great Britain 530 CO2/kWh, China 813 g/kWh, USA 667 g CO2/kWh and Austria 249 g CO2/

kWh.

To get an idea of the influence of different technologies used by power plants to the CO2

emissions of electric cars we will calculate the potential CO2 savings of an electric car in four

countries with different power generation structures. More than half of the energy requirements

35

17 Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft

18 http://www.zukunft-elektroauto.de/pageID_8368817.html [GEMIS (2009)]

19 http://www.umweltbundesamt.at/fileadmin/site/publikationen/REP0303.pdf

Page 39: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

in Spain and Germany are met by fossil fuels. Austria generates 70 % of its electricity through

hydropower and France produces 80 % of its energy through nuclear power.

The potential savings for the four countries analyzed are represented in Figure 9. To make an

adequate comparison the consumption of a Mini-E (15 kWh/100km) is compared to that of a

Mini Cooper with a petrol engine (7,56 Liters/100km20 and 2,33 kg CO2/l21).

0

4

8

12

16

20

CO

2 savings in kg/100km

9.013.9 16.1

10.8

7.6

5.4

Germany Austria France Europe USA China

Figure 9: Potential CO2 savings of an electric car in comparison with a gasoline car

36

20 http://www.spritmonitor.de

21 http://www.spritmonitor.de/de/berechnung_co2_ausstoss.html

Page 40: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

In the USA, an electric car saves more than 5 kg for every 100 km driven in comparison with a

gasoline powered automobile, while in Germany you would save about 9 kilograms. It is worth

mentioning that the percentage of

renewable energies in the mixed tariff of

most of the countries is constantly

growing. Therefore, in the future the

potential savings will even be greater.

France has the highest potential saving

with more than 16 kilograms although the use of nuclear energy to create electricity is still a

controversial topic. Austria produces a high percentage of renewable energy, reducing CO2

emissions to almost 14 kg per 100km.

On the other hand, power plants have the possibility of filtering the harmful substances on a

large scale and can separate them effectively. This procedure is difficult to perform when the

source of the emission is mobile and is very costly, like the catalytic converters in petrol

vehicles. The reduction of these emissions from power plants is an important issue - yet there

has been very little attention paid to it by the general public.

Generally, emissions of CO2 and other contaminants are

continuously declining due to the increased use of

renewable energy systems driven in par t by the

international climate conventions. This reduction is aided by

the increased efficiency of conventional power plants.

Power plants are obliged to purify their residual gases and

this is one of the reasons why the use of electric cars is

recommended from an ecological point of view, and may

be obligatory in the long term. Yet it is not only CO2

emissions that are on the decline but also other pollutants

such as nitrogen oxide or the particles created by wear on

the brakes.

Did you know that some companies offer

purely ecological electricity generated

exclusively by renewable energy systems?

37

Page 41: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

8-What kind of maintenance and repair do electric cars need?

When purchasing a vehicle, the consumer must

take into account the potential maintenance and

repair costs. It is therefore important to calculate

the maintenance and repair costs of an electric

car as precisely as possible in advance, so that any

future owner is aware of what the vehicle may

require. For accident repair, like any conventional

vehicle, nothing can be specified in advance.

If you look at preventative maintenance and repair

related to the wear of the automotive

components, electric cars have a clear advantage.

Electric motors are much simpler than their petrol counterparts and have a substantially higher

lifespan (excluding the battery). Electric vehicles have fewer components that are affected by

friction and temperature variations and the individual components are less exposed to wear.

This means that electric cars do not need the regular servicing that conventional vehicles

require. Electric cars do not need a gear box or a clutch, nor do they need a turbo charger, a

muffler or a catalyst to filter particles. They don’t even need to filter oil or air. While an owner of

a petrol car needs to continuously maintain these elements, the electric car owner does not

need to think about it, saving them both time and money.

All of this means that maintenance and repair costs for electric cars are greatly reduced when

compared to those of conventional cars, except for the batteries, which may possibly have to

be replaced during the car’s lifetime. The batteries are currently the most expensive component

38

Page 42: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

of an electric car but if the minimal costs for maintenance and repair as well as the low

electricity costs are taken into account, the electric car can still be more economical. Once

again, the total cost of ownership is important when comparing conventional and electric cars.

One of the main goals for the future must be to ensure

that the additional costs generated by the price of the

batteries can be redeemed through the lifespan of the

car. By lowering the prices of the batteries, the cars will

cost less and will be far more economically attractive to

consumers than a conventional vehicle.

Clearly, despite the reduced maintenance costs it is still

imperative to adapt repair shops for electric vehicles so

that electric mobility can be a success. The continued

and growing demand on vehicle mechanics has resulted

in a greater investment in electrical components and a

demand for more qualified staff. In the future the

workshops and garages will focus increasingly on electric

cars and the special conditions that they require (e.g

security measures for high voltage equipment) to meet

demand and take advantage of the new business

opportunities that are appearing.

Did you know that an

electric engine can be used

as an engine as well as a

generator? Therefore it’s

possible to turn the kinetic

energy into electric energy

dur ing the deceleration

p h a s e . T h i s s o c a l l e d

„recuperation“ is one reason

why electr ic mobility is

predestinated for inner city

jour neys . The break ing

process will no longer be a

wasting of energy.

39

Page 43: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

9-Wil l the batteries be available in the long term?

The availability of the battery

systems depends on the availability

of the raw materials and the type

of the materials used within the

systems. The current focus is on

traction batteries made from

lithium which is a resource that will

continue to be important in the

future. Lithium is a lightweight

metal found in its elemental form in

the ground but is combined with

other elements within the battery.

It is found rock and salt lakes in

the earth’s crust and is referred to

i n t e r ms o f “ r e s e r ve s ” o r

“resources”. Both concepts are

used to describe the quantities of a

specific material in the ground

although it is impossible to

determine exactly how much there

is of any raw material. When we

define both terms it will explain

why.

40

Page 44: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Reserves: Raw materials known to be economically feasible for extraction by the use of

current extraction methods. The development of extraction technologies and increasing market

costs for raw materials could lead to a conversation of resources into reserves.

Resources: Raw materials that are known or

supposed to exist in a given region and may be used

in the future. The reserves are a subset of the

resources, therefore only parts of the resources can

be extracted at market price. The future use of the

whole amount of the resources is dependent on the

development and the availability of extraction

technology.

Technological progress and/or a rise in the price of the raw materials leads to the resources

being converted into reserves. Resources are continually being discovered so the amount of raw

materials available can never be absolutely determined. Every so often the availability of these

raw materials should be calculated and valued.

Obviously, the availability of lithium depends primarily on the extent of the deposits, however

there are other factors that must be taken into account. Firstly, governments have to encourage

that old lithium batteries are recycled and that the metal is used to manufacture new batteries.

This directly affects the longevity of lithium resources. Additionally, the ability to reuse the raw

materials is a crucial advantage when compared to oil.

On the other hand the regions in which lithium

deposits are located should be taken into

account. Theoretically, as with fossil fuels,

countries that contain no lithium deposits may be

threatened with a shortage of the raw materials,

especially if the countries or regions that contain

vast deposits become politically unstable.

D id you know tha t ca rd i ac

pacemakers use lithium batteries?

This is because lithium batteries

have a long lifespan.

41

Page 45: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

The following figure shows lithium stocks around the world and the quantity of known

deposits. The most important countries are those in South America. Argentina, Chile and Bolivia

represent the so-called “Lithium Triangle” which contains a concentration of around 70% of the

world reserves. Since the extraction an production is carried out by several countries with

different political systems there are no restrictions.

Total

Bolivia

Chile

China

Argentina

USA

Israel

Zaire

Brazil

Russia

Canada

Serbia

Australia

0 1,250,000 2,500,000 3,750,000 5,000,000

141,920

143,550

166,090

170,250

252,750

345,000

675,000

1,450,400

2,311,500

2,730,000

4,235,000

4,925,000

17,630,415

Lithium in millions of tons

Figure 10: Estimated worldwide lithium stocks22

The information about the number and the size of lithium deposits around the world varies

depending on the source, but they all agree on one point: taking into account only the

calculations of quantities available, there is enough lithium to supply the automobile industry for

at least 100 years23. The question still arises whether the amount of lithium required will be

available at the desired times, at a sufficient quality and at an affordable price. The variations in

quality and price are important issues. In order to secure the future battery availability other

battery technologies are also being considered and tested. With investment in different storage

technologies diversification can be achieved in respect to the dependency on certain raw

materials ensuring the long term availability of traction batteries.

42

22 Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e.V.

23 http://www.green-and-energy.com

Page 46: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

10-How are electric car batteries recycled?

14,000 tons of conventional batteries

are discarded annually in Germany24.

The controlled removal of these

batteries is necessary due to their toxic

contents. Therefore, inappropriate

elimination may obviously have a

negative impact on both the public and

the environment. Integrating electric

cars into city traffic will inevitably

increase the annual battery waste. In

view of environmental policy, this

represents a challenge.

For the users, disposing of batteries is relatively easy as European producers are subject to a law

encompassing the return of used batteries. The consumer is obliged to return the batteries so

that they can be disposed or recycled professionally. This law also applies to conventional

batteries, such as those used in a torch. Yet, studies have shown that less than 50 % of these

batteries are returned correctly.

To rectify this, a fee of 7,50 € was charged for starter batteries for cars, meaning that if the

customer did not return an old starter battery when purchasing a new one, he had to pay 7,50

€. As a result of this simple system the recycling quota reached almost 100 %. These returns,

sponsored by governments, provide benefits to the consumer through the economic cycle.

Recycling reduces manufacturing costs and ultimately the retail price.

43

24 http://www.bmu.de/abfallwirtschaft/statistiken/doc/3008.php

Page 47: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

The collection of old, used batteries is difficult for the manufacturers, mainly because the

governments have set levels of recycling efficiency. There are also regulations covering the

quantity of old battery components that must be used for the production of new batteries. This

percentage is a statutory minimum of 50% for all batteries.

The regulations also require that the unusable parts are

disposed of using the best technical processes available.

For state of the ar t batter y technologies the

manufacturers have met the established requirements.

However for new technologies in this area these

requirements are still problematic. This is not the

manufacturers fault but is due to the lack of appropriate

infrastructure that would guarantee the correct recycling

of traction batteries. It can be concluded that constant

development in the area of electric-mobility will improve

recycling conditions and lead to a greater number of recycling centers.

In summary it can be stated that the

recycling of old batter ies would be

advantageous and present no additional costs

to the consumer. This cost advantage would

only be guaranteed through a change in

policy and if the industry pays sufficient

attention to establishing infrastructure for the

recycling of old batteries and integrates this

into the development plans of the electric

car.

Did you know that lithium has only

recently started to be recycled? The

value of lithium was recognized during

the development of electric mobility

and processes for the adequate

recycling are currently being researched.

44

Page 48: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

Conclusion/ Summary

The topic of electric-mobility is

omnipotent; in the media, in the

automobile factories and is the

s ub j e c t o f many co r po r a t e

mee t i n g s . E ve r yone who i s

interested, from journalist to

consumer, wonders about the

current state of development and

how it will continue. One issue is

more dominant than others - the

demand for information.

Since the subject is complex, we conducted an investigation into the most important questions

about electric-mobility that needed answering. The questions we would answer were selected

through an online survey of 20 questions. More than 4,000 people participated in the survey

and each chose 10 questions based on their prior knowledge and own particular interests. After

the 10 most important questions were determined,we began writing this guide to provide

strong, concise answers. The authors, three scientists dedicated to the area of electric-mobility,

correlated the data in this book and compiled it to provide detailed explanations of the key

concepts. A thorough reading will enable you to make up your own mind up about the

development and implementation possibilities of the electric car.

As an introduction we took a brief look at the current situation. It describes the benefits of

renewable energy through its unlimited availability and environmental friendliness when

compared to fossil fuels. Electric cars are now occupying space in automobile showrooms and

many people don’t realize that millions of hybrid cars are already sold and have spent years

safely navigating our streets. Their use already contributes to improving the environment.

45

Page 49: Top 10 FAQ about Electric Cars

The first chapter introduced the question of how to recharge an electric car and it was

demonstrated that multiple rapid charges of the batteries are by no means necessary for the

majority of users. Amongst other things it was made clear that the batteries do not require a

complete charge every time.

The second most important question- that of the lifespan of an electric car - was discussed in

chapter 2. It explained that the key component in the lifespan is the battery. Factors are also

being developed that can shorten or lengthen the lifespan and by using the vehicle “normally”

the battery of an electric car will last between 5 and 8 years.

Chapter 3 focused on the issue of

autonomy. It identified what the

autonomy of an electric vehicle depends

on. It is evident that today’s electric cars

could meet most of the mobility needs in

most countries, e.g. in Germany 90 % of

the population do not drive more than

50 km daily. In turn, the chapter illustrated

that electric cars are ideal for urban

traffic due to their ability to recuperate

energy.

The four th most relevant question

considered the total ownership costs of

an electric car. Most of the people

interested in this issue only consider the

purchase price which is undoubtedly still

higher than that of a conventional car. The

costs of repair and maintenance must not

be forgotten and this is where the

electric car has a clear advantage. It is also forecasted that the price of these vehicles will drop

significantly through technical innovations and mass production as has happened with other

technologies in the past.

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Chapter 5 gave a brief overview on the support given to electric-mobility worldwide. In this

respect Japan offers the highest financial incentive for potential consumers. Germany is still

lagging behind in the direct promotion of electric cars although it aims to become one of the

leaders in the electric-mobility market.

Many potential customers are wondering if electric-mobility is just another hype but there are

many arguments that suggest otherwise. Not only are electric cars considered viable for many

market segments, they also provide two basic benefits. The first is that they can operate solely

using the unlimited availability of renewable energy and the second benefit is that unlike petrol

vehicles they are an ecological option, as discussed in chapter 6.

The survey respondents were interested in the question of CO2 emissions from electric cars

and this was discussed in chapter 7. As explained in this manual, the expansion of available

renewable energy sources makes it possible for there to be a continuous drop leading to the

eventual elimination of CO2 emissions through the generation of clean electricity. Electric cars

will be run on a totally “clean” network with no emissions and therefore be more

environmentally friendly than they have been to date.

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The question answered in chapter 8 is about the maintenance and repair of an electric car. It

was pointed out that these vehicles have fewer parts that are susceptible to wear than a

conventional vehicle and suffer fewer breakdowns. However, electronics are still complex and

repairs performed on conventional vehicles are frequently electrical. In the future, vehicle

mechanics will need to be more qualified and electric cars will possibly encounter the same

problems that conventional vehicles currently succumb to.

Chapter 9 addressed the question of the raw materials needed to manufacture the batteries

and explained why there are no anticipated supply problems. Not only is lithium readily available

it is also reusable so the demand for the material is reduced.

What happens to the batteries when they reach the end of their life was explained in the tenth

and final chapter. Recycling plays an essential role in the life of vehicle batteries and a recycling

rate of almost 100% is already achieved. It is estimated that this will also be the case for the

traction batteries in electric cars.

After answering these ten questions we are faced with the final question about how the

development of electric cars will continue.

Undoubtedly, consumers are changing.

They are reconsidering the situation.

This has also has benefits for the

environment, manufacturers and

governments. All of the links on the

“consumption chain” are increasingly

dependen t on t he coun t r i e s

producing fossil fuels and thus are

subject to their political tensions and

the increasing prices for the dwindling

stocks of oil and natural gas which

sooner or later will be exhausted. This

makes electric vehicles a more than

reasonable alternative.

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It should also not be forgotten that the authors are convinced of the advantages of electric-

mobility because the technology is available to put it into practice in addition to the fact that its

advantages hugely outweigh its disadvantages.

For this reason and in order to make consumers aware of all aspects of electric-mobility,

including the material and technology, Green & Energy GmbH was founded. You can learn more

about electric cars at our blog under: www.green-and-energy.com

.

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Glossary of key terms related to electric-mobil ity

Starter BatteryStarter batteries provide the power to start the internal combustion engine. This process

requires currents between 100 and 1,000 amps to overcome the initial resistance of the engine.

In addition to starting the vehicle the starter battery also supplies power to the vehicles

electrical components.

Traction BatteryA high power battery designed to provide the propulsion that allows an electric vehicle to

move.

Battery Energy ContentIndicates the electrical energy contained in a battery in watt hours (Wh). It does not usually

indicate the content of the battery but the specific value in respect to the mass (Wh/kg).

Electric VehicleA vehicle propelled by a motor that is powered by the electricity from a traction battery.

Battery CapacityIndicates how much electricity is stored within a battery. This information is usually shown in

amps per hour (Ah).

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Memory EffectThe memory effect is a phenomenon that reduces the quantity of power that the batteries can

hold that occurs in some types of batteries when they are charged without being completely

discharged. Crystals are created inside the battery by a chemical reaction caused when the

battery is heated either through use or by being improperly charged.

SOC - State Of ChargeIndicates the level of charge of a battery and can be compared with the petrol gauge of a

conventional car. A SOC of 100 % signifies that the vehicle is completely charged and on the

other hand a reading of 0 % indicates that the battery is completely flat.

SOH - State Of HealthSOH indicates the battery status in respect to its ideal charge. Usually a new battery has a SOH

of 100 % and it will subsequently descend for the duration of its life.

Range ExtenderAn additional component in an electric car that can extend its autonomy by recharging the

battery while driving. Most of the time it is the combustion engine that drives the generator.

(See the Hybrid series).

Full HybridBoth the combustion engine and the electric motor drive the wheels hence the full hybrid is a

parallel hybrid. The battery that feeds the electric motor is recharged with “surplus” energy

created through driving or during braking.

Plug In HybridThese vehicles have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The batteries are

recharged by being plugged directly into a power outlet, hence the name “Plug In”. This type of

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hybrid has a greater storage capacity than Mild Hybrid or Full Hybrid and can travel longer

distances using only electricity. They can be manufactured with a hybrid configuration in series or

in parallel.

Parallel HybridThe internal combustion engine and the electric motor are both connected to the wheels and

each of them (or both together) can start the car.

Series HybridThe vehicle is powered solely by an electric motor that draws power from a traction battery

and the driver can increase the autonomy of the car with a generator that recharges the

battery. The generator is powered by an internal combustion engine.

Micro-HybridThis is a conventional car that has an automatic start-stop mechanism that turns the motor off

when the car is stopped and restarts it when the clutch is pressed. The energy required for

starting the vehicle is created through regenerative braking technology. The vehicle does not

have the electrical energy required for propulsion but this mechanism reduces the consumption

of the internal combustion engine.

Mild HybridIn this configuration both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor turn the

wheels. The energy needed to power the motor is obtained from the battery that stores

“surplus” energy created through driving and braking. However, the electric motor has very little

power and only operates during vehicle acceleration. The Mild Hybrid cannot be driven solely

by electricity.

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Number of CyclesThe number of cycles indicates how many times the battery can be charged and discharged. If a

battery or accumulator has a high number of cycles it has a longer lifespan.

Electric MixSpecifies the portfolio of the sources (e.g. coal, gas, wind etc) from which the electricity is

generated.

Fuel CellElectrochemical conversion mechanism similar to a battery but different in that the battery or

cell allow the continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; that is to say that it

produces electricity from an external fuel and oxygen source in contrast to the limited storage

capacity of a regular battery.

Hybrid PropulsionAlternative propulsion that combines several technologies. In the case of the electric hybrid: it

combines an electric motor fed by electrical energy from a traction battery and an internal

combustion engine.

Regenerative Braking (Energy Recovery System)Regenerative brakes are based on the principle that an electric motor can be used as a

generator. The electric traction motor becomes a generator during braking, converting kinetic

energy into electrical energy. This electrical energy is used to recharge the batteries.

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The Authors

Lorenz KöllLorenz Köll, born in 1974, worked as a research associate in

the Research Center for Energy Economics in Munich

(Forschungstelle für Energiewirtschaft e.V.) after concluding his

studies in civil engineering. As project manager, Lorenz was

dedicated to carrying out studies in different areas of the

energy industry, especially in electric-mobility. In the year 2011

Lorenz was directely involved in founding the Green & Energy

GmbH. After a short time he has also become self employed

with his own company, the Energie Ingenieure GmbH (http://

energie-ingenieure.net), He is currently engaged in several

projects including some in the field of research and

development of electric transportation in order to introduce

electric-mobility onto the market. His website can be seen at:

http://www.lorenzkoell.com  and  some of his articles are published on http://www.green-and-

energy.com/blog .

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Olmo Tomás MezgerOlmo Tomás Mezger, born in 1980, studied electrical

engineering after which he started working at the Research

Center for Energy Economics in Munich (Forschungsstelle für

Energiewirtschaft e.V.). As a collaborator he mainly focuses on

the complexities of electric-mobility and renewable energies

and is involved in investigation and research in the fields of

battery measurement, automobile simulation, the integration of

electric cars into the industry and the search for new

solutions. Olmo is also the author of numerous publications

and seminars on electric-mobility that can be found on his web

page: http://olmotomasmezger.com or through his blog:

http://www.green-and-energy.com/blog.

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Thomas Rasil ierThomas Rasilier, born in 1983, worked in the Research Center

for Energy Economics in Munich (Forschungstelle für

Energiewirtschaft e.V.) after finishing his studies in eco energy

technologies. His work mainly concentrated on electric-

mobility. With the help of analysis and numerous scientific

studies he was investigating solutions to the problems to

guarantee a rapid advance of this traction technology. With his

collegues he founded the Green & Energy GmbH (G&E) at

the beginning of the year 2011, i. a. for developing tools and

services to promote the further progress of electric mobility.

Since mid 2012 he is working for the Energie Ingenieure

GmbH (http://www.energie-ingenieure.net) besides his

function for G&E. At the Energie Ingenieure GmbH he is

enganged in the development and realization of project in the field of electric mobility and

renewable energies. Alongside his work as an engineer, Thomas writes substantiated articles that

are regularly published in: http://www.green-and-energy.com/blog.

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