Is Petrol and Diesel Transport Headed for Oblivion?
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February 26, 2020Advancing Battery Technology. Round Two!
March 3, 2020Is Petrol and Diesel Transport Headed for Oblivion?
Fossil fuels and internal combustion engines have resulted in planet Earth going into survival mode. The ultimate global solution to this problem is now dependent on advances in battery technology and electric motor efficiency. France has announced a ban on the production of internal combustion engines from 2040 and the UK from 2050. That’s just 20 to 30 years away. This comparison spells it out:
| Parameters | Petrol | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Components in the engine | 2,000 plus (4 cyl motor) | 5 to 10 on average |
| Engine servicing intervals | 15,000 km | None |
| Service consumables | Filters, Oil, Plugs, Belts | None |
| Fuel costs @ 7 ltr/100km for 2,000 km (monthly average) | R1,155 Approx | R385 (Battery charging) |
| Power: a 50Kw electric motor is equal to a 100Kw petrol unit | A 100Kw motor requires transmission/drive train | Full power via directdrive (no transmission) |
| Air polution | High | Zero |
| Noise polution | High | Low |
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The battery charging cost is based on the premise that electric cars travel 3 times further on a single battery charge than petrol engine cars on the equivalent amount of petrol or diesel.
So, could a battery powered sports car possibly have anything to offer in comparison to a high powered petrol driven sports car? All things being equal, it’s not even a contest.
In 2013 the 9-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb in a specially built 3.2 litre twin turbo V6 Peugeot 208 T16 smashed Rhys Millen’s Pikes Peak Hill climb record by a huge 1 minute 33 seconds.
Last year Romain Dumas broke Loeb’s record by 15 seconds in a Volkswagen I.D.R. electric car that produced 195 less horsepower than Loeb’s Peugeot and it weighed 227 kg more (ie battery weight).
Battery power accelerates the VW I.D.R. from a standstill to 100kph in 1.8 seconds. No multiple gears or drive trains to impeded forward movement. No exhaust pollution. Just instant maximum torque.
So, in real terms battery power is taking over. And planet Earth will be better for it.
Now, let’s give a thought to where the 2-wheel industry is headed in this technology. Coming soon!
Check the VW at Pikes Peak in this clip:
