TESLA + FISKER ELECTRIC VEHICLES

2012-Nissan-Leaf-Government-Center-Charging-thumb-607x442-76261 Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across the country. Americans are trying their best to reduce their carbon footprint, so they turn to Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive, the leading developers of electric vehicles. The electric vehicles can use one or more electric motor or traction motors and contain can a battery or generator to convert fuel to electricity. As seen to the left, a direct current (DC) of electricity is transferred into a DC/AC inverter where it is converted to alternating current. (AC) This AC electricity is connected to a 3-phase AC motor. Though EV’s have been ridiculed as expensive to purchase, their maintenance is very inexpensive. What stands out the most for people is the fact that they are not facing the high prices at the pump, rather just plugging in to the electric grid. The process of charging can take hours, so charging overnight is highly encouraged. However, there is also an option of replacing the battery manually.

 

The four types of EVs are:

  • The hybrid electric vehicle,  which uses a small electric battery that increases fuel efficiency by about 25% from conventional vehicles. (Fisker)
  • The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
  • The extended-range electric vehicle,  which uses an internal combustion engine to power an electric generator that charges the battery system in a linear process — the engine powers a generator, which in turn charges the battery.
  • The battery electric vehicles, which are all electric and must be plugged in to charge. (Tesla)

2010-fisker-karma-3_800x0w

Fisker Automotive is recognized for producing the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric car in 2011. (FISKER KARMA)

The battery pack of the Karma is built into the center of the car and seats four passengers. Once the battery is depleted, or when the driver presses the “Sport” mode button, the front-mounted 260-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged gasoline engine powers a generator that sends electricity directly to the drive motor.The Karma’s two 201 brake horsepower motors produce 1,300 newton metres of torque. The Karma features a 125 mph top speed and is capable of going 0 to 60 mph from a standstill in 6.3 seconds. (Fisker Karma Specs)
tesla-roadster-02
Tesla Motors is recognized for producing the world’s first all electric sports car in 2008. (TESLA ROADSTER)
The Roadster is powered by an air-cooled motor and Energy Storage System or ESS. It seats 4 and  has can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds for the Standard Model and 3.7 seconds for the 2010 Sport Model. A full recharge of the battery system requires 3½ hours using the High Power Connector which supplies 70 amp, 240 volt electricity. (Tesla Roadster Specs)

 

Fisker Automotive, which has been bought out by the Chinese auto-developer Wanxiang Group after filing for bankruptcy, has had a long-standing rivalry with Tesla Motors. In April of 2008, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Fisker stating that they stole Tesla’s ideas to develop their own hybrid car. However,  the suit was settled in Fisker’s favor after they were unable to prove substantially that the Fisker Karma’s technology was a direct result of Tesla’s engineering.

 

Resources: 

1. http://www.tva.gov/environment/technology/car_vehicles.htm#erev

2. http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/2012/06/driving_an_electric_car_in_bos.html

3. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evsbs.shtml

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Automotive

 

olivia October 3, 2014

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