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extend driving range by streamlining air flow
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Written on: 30 September 2009 [03:02]
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susansimon
Topic creator
registered since: 30.09.2009
Posts: 4
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According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, approximately 50% of the power to the wheels a vehicle are used in overcoming air resistence at highway speeds (above 50 mph). Would an increase of 15 percent in mpg, which would translate to an improvement of 15% in the range of an electric or eco vehicle or battery powered vehicle would be interesting, or is it insignificant? |
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Written on: 30 September 2009 [14:38]
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ecoadmin
Administrator
registered since: 20.07.2007
Posts: 585
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Overcoming air resistance is definitely an issue for electric vehicles. Like many other things, such as weight for example. Todays cars have a design and structury from times when energy efficiency had a very low priority. We still use a lot of steel, the front of many SUVs look similar to your garage door at home and so on... To become more efficient, and thats not only valid for EVs, we need to rethink the way we build vehicles. Its possible to build safe and lightweight and aerodynamic vehicles. A step into the right direction is the Prius and the Insight for example. Ever wondered why they look similar? The best aerodynamic performance is achieved by building it in 'Prius, Insight' style. Other vehicles have a similar shape (Twike). The Aptera is a bit an exemption here with its shape, but also optimized for a improved areodynamics. Twike 890
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Written on: 05 October 2009 [23:55]
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childress
Administrator
registered since: 14.08.2007
Posts: 140
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In any low-miles-per "fill-up" (ie, charge) vehicle, range increases that would be considered 'small' or 'minimal' to a 300-mile per 'fill-up' vehicle are HUGE. Take for example, an electric vehicle able to go 40 miles on a single charge. Extend that by 15%, and you get 46 miles. That being said, the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way to gain fuel efficiency with respect to air/wind resistance is to drop your speed below 30-35 mph and then to reduce road-resistance, keeping your tires maximally inflated. Most commuters during their daily drive rarely see 50 mph, so dropping your speed makes even more sense, espeically if you count in safety gains of dropping your speed... I commuted an entire week (5 days) on one 38 mile charge by keeping my speed between 15-20 mph (mostly around 15mph), and pedaling to extend the Twike's range. It was about 9 miles a day, so that's between 45-50 miles. While this may not seem like much for the uninitiated, my Twike's batteries are NiCad, so there is substantial self-discharge overnight/during the day so it's significantly different from charging up and running 50 miles all in one day. So yes, efficiency improvements help, but often it's the boring, cheap low-tech ones that make the most impact (go slow, inflate tires, coast to stops, time stoplights -- just like you would on a bicycle). Commute suck? Twike it; You'll like it!
http://www.uiuc.edu/goto/twike |
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Written on: 24 November 2009 [06:17]
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georgepines05
registered since: 24.11.2009
Posts: 5
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ecoadmin wrote: Overcoming air resistance is definitely an issue for electric vehicles. Like many other things, such as weight for example. Todays cars have a design and structury from times when energy efficiency had a very low priority. We still use a lot of steel, the front of many SUVs look similar to your garage door at home and so on... To become more efficient, and thats not only valid for EVs, we need to rethink the way we build vehicles. Its possible to build safe and lightweight and aerodynamic vehicles. A step into the right direction is the Prius and the Insight for example. Ever wondered why they look similar? The best aerodynamic performance is achieved by building it in 'Prius, Insight' style. Other vehicles have a similar shape (Twike). The Aptera is a bit an exemption here with its shape, but also optimized for a improved areodynamics. I'm learning a lot here. But I hope the future of these electric vehicles will have lesser issues. I'm looking for something to buy in the future with a different look. |
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