 Necessity
is the mother of invention and perhaps it is repeated in different
versions for electrically driven vehicles. Now the supremacy
of petrol run cars is under threat with the scarcity of petroleum
resources. Electrical vehicles (EVs), while overcoming their
earlier drawbacks, are announcing their revival.
Origin and Growth of EVs
Electric cars (EVs) first appeared in Europe during the
1880's followed by the United States. But during the early 1900's,
petrol-engine cars became more powerful with better performance
and hence dominated the roads. The cost effectiveness showed
by the petrol engine cars ensured the disappearance of EVs by
1920.
Increased concern about air pollution and falling supplies of
petroleum during the 1960's brought back people's interest in
EVs and resulted in their limited production, but sales were
never high. Being expensive with limited travel range and relatively
poor performances, the car was not a success. But manufacturers
experimented on making the EVs more efficient and economical.
One similar effort was reflected in cars known as Hybrids,
which had all the components of an EV in addition to a type
of fuel engine.
The Advantages
- Their operation produces no exhaust and that prevents
air pollution.
- They do not consume exhaustible petrol.
- The lack of engine noise is welcome in today's ever-growing
noise-polluting traffic.
- Their batteries can be charged at home or at the work
place and avoids the inconvenience of refueling at the service
station.
Which factors are limiting their usage?
- They usually cannot travel more than 160 kilometres unless
their batteries are recharged.
- In extreme weather conditions that may require high use
of electric power.
- Electric cars also have below-average acceleration.
- Most electric cars use expensive lead-acid batteries
that may have to be replaced several times during the life
of the vehicle.
Enhancing the power pack of EVs.
- The use of nickel metal-hydride batteries can increase
the range that can be driven on a single charge.
- Fuel cells that are used in Hybrid cars are also a better
option. They produce electricity from a fuel and an oxidizer,
a substance that combines with the fuel. The fuel and oxidizer
react chemically at two separate electrodes to produce the
direct electric current.
 EV
in the Indian Context
Bangalore based company Maini group had planned to launch
their REVA electric car in January 2001, but the car is yet
to hit the roads. The main focus will be on easy mobility in
cities along with economical and eco-friendly drives. The company
is expecting a greater response for EVs from across India. The
Managing Director of the company, Chetan Maini, says
that their REVA is going to be unique with features like safe
and gearless car driving.
So, can we say 'Goodbye petrol cars, Hello EVs'? Only time
will tell.
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