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Re:Chevy Volt: Is This Our Future? by arn on Wednesday June 29, 2011 @03:15AM (#2708685)
I don't see the range as the issue, but the lack of instant refueling.

I don't get too worried about my car's total range since I can just stop and get gas every 10 minutes in town. But the problem with electric is that it takes 10 hours to recharge. Is there a solution to that besides hybrid gas/electric?

Re:Chevy Volt: Is This Our Future? by gamble on Wednesday June 29, 2011 @03:39AM (#2708709)
It's essentially impossible to charge a battery in the same time as filling a gas tank. The currents involved would be immense, and besides requiring heavy-duty conductors and power electronics, such high currents would incinerate any lithium-ion battery on the market today in spectacular fashion.

Battery swapping is probably the most practical solution, but developing a standard battery pack that can be used in a variety of models and easily swapped - not to mention the logistics and tracking to distribute them nation-wide - would probably take longer than developing higher-capacity batteries.

Re:Chevy Volt: Is This Our Future? by ericd on Wednesday June 29, 2011 @04:18AM (#2708754)
Perhaps a breakthrough in capacitor power density? Otherwise, yeah, swapping seems like the most realistic option.
Re:Chevy Volt: Is This Our Future? by McP on Wednesday June 29, 2011 @06:09AM (#2708941)