While much of the focus in recent times has been upon the design and manufacture of electric cars we have seen significant investment in the area of electric car battery power. Many people forget that the electric car battery is in many cases the most expensive element of any electric car and there are a number of factors which need to be taken into consideration.
Car batteries today
The electric vehicle battery market today is dominated by the lithium-ion battery which has become the battery of choice for many car manufacturers around the world. There has been a massive shift away from traditional lead battery-powered due in the main to the cost, inefficiencies and ultimately the damage which these batteries can do to the environment.
So what are the factors which we need to consider when looking at batteries for electric cars?
There are many factors to consider which include:
Weight
When you consider that there will be a significant number of batteries required to power the electric car of today it is essential to find a balance between weight and efficiency in order to improve the overall reliability and overall efficiency of the vehicle in question.
Efficiency
The shift towards lithium-ion batteries is based upon a greater efficiency associated with this particular type of electric car battery. Many believe that the lithium-ion battery will become the focal point of the electric car market going forward although this is difficult to forecast because of the ever changing technology associated with battery power.
Cost
While there is no doubt there are more efficient and more powerful batteries available in the marketplace, there is a need to balance up the cost of the battery, the efficiency of the battery and the weight of the battery to suit the market and the product. As a consequence, the more expensive, yet potentially more efficient, batteries available today would need to come down in price before making them eligible for the mass market.
Investing in the battery market
The electric vehicle battery market is set to receive billions upon billions of dollars of investment in the short to medium term as governments around the world have decided to push this particular area of environmentally friendly travel. There's also the ability to recharge and reuse batteries over and over again which again reduces the effect on the environment and is a further plus point for the sector.
Even though electric cars have been around for well over 100 years it is only now that we are seeing significant investments in all areas of the sector.
With the rising gas prices and need to save the environment, you have decided you want to do your part, but you just don't have the money for a new car. There are alternatives and one of them is converting your existing vehicle to run electricity. Electric cars get between 30 to 70 miles a gallon, depending on certain factors. One of the first things you will need is to create an electric car battery box. You cannot just put the batteries in any type of container because they need special care.
The box is going to be placed in the rear part of the car. You can either put it in the trunk or, if you have the tools and know how, you can weld it into the trunk floor to retain space. The electric car battery box is important because it serves several purposes. The first is that it prevents fumes from getting inside your vehicle while the batteries charge. The second is to prevent any accidents in case of an emergency. Both important reasons and why you have to be very careful.
You will need some electrical knowledge to do this. Here is what you need build and install your own electric car battery box: marine-grade plywood (which is made of Douglas fir or Western Larch), water-repellent paint, an explosion proof brushless fan, marine-grade ventilation bilge hose, metal bands, bolts and baking soda.
Measure the batteries to see how big of a box you are going to need. Once you have the proper box, paint the box with the water-repellent paint and sprinkle baking soda on the box floor. Usually, there will be about 10 batteries. Install the fan onto the side of the box. The fan should be wired so that it will turn on once the batteries begin charging and the fumes can be pulled out of the box. Next, place the hose onto the fan with the end pointing below the car for the fumes to escape. Once all of this is secure, place the metal bands around the box for extra protection. This is to ensure the box won't be weighed down by the batteries and break, and that it won't come apart in case of an accident.
Once you have finished the electric car battery box, bolt it to the car frame.
Converting your own vehicle to an electric one can be cost effective. Just prepare and make sure you have all the right equipment before starting to build an electric car battery box.
Conclusion
While many people focus on the design and manufacture of electric powered cars it is the battery which will ultimately dominate the cost of electric vehicles in the short to medium term. There's no point producing a car which is too expensive for the mass market yet there is no point producing a car which is not able to power the vehicle over long distances. Finding the balance between these two particular elements is not easy but it is one which many companies are looking to tackle in the longer-term.
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