Some Knowledge

With modern semiconductor electronics and computer control, it should be possible to design a cool electric car.  For batteries, use the new fast-charging lithium ion cells.  Pack enough of them in the vehicle that it has the capacity to go 300 miles between charges.  The amount of batteries would of course depend on other factors, such as the total weight of the car.

The car should be light and aerodynamic.  It should have a strong tubular aluminum frame and fiberglass body panels for good economy and resistance to corrosion.  As little cooling air will be required, the car can be faired on all sides, including the bottom.  Windshield wipers that park below the hood will be necessary for reduced aerodynamic drag.  Airbags shall be incorporated for good survivability in an accident.

The most important part of an electric car is the drive system.  Permanent magnet rare earth 3-phase synchronous motors should be used for good torque and speed control.  These motors will also be the regenerative brakes on the vehicle.  A computer control system will sense the position of the accelerator pedal and adjust the current to the motor accordingly.  Speed will correspond directly to pedal displacement.  For good starting torque and efficient operation, a manual transmission, or an electronically-shifted manual transmission will be incorporated.

In operation, the car would handle like any other car except for some improvements.  To slow down you would back off on the accelerator.  This would shunt current from the motor back into the batteries.  In most situations, this would be enough to slow the vehicle.  There would of course be a friction brake pedal for emergency stops, which would be of anti-lock four wheel disk design.  The brake pads would be designed to float above the rotor for reduced rolling resistance.

The electric car would utilize computers for speed regulation, braking control, environment control, lights, navigation, and entertainment.  There would be separate microcontrollers for each function for improved reliability in case of failure.  Control computers would be of modular design for quick replacement in case of malfunction.  Batteries would also require a computer system for charge and discharge control.  Solar cells would be mounted on the external surfaces of the vehicle for slight recharge capabilities.  The vehicle would recharge from home current overnight, from a 220V circuit for improved speed and efficiency.

There is no reason that a good electric car could not be built with technology available today.  The cost would at first be high, until mass production was effected.  There is no reason such vehicles should not have long life cycles.  Aside from the batteries, which would be easily replaceable, there is really little to wear out on an electric car.  Motors are simple and have one moving part.  Electronic controls can be designed to be highly reliable.  Aluminum and fiberglass do not corrode like steel.  Glass windows might break, but could be replaced.

An electric car is not rocket science, but it can be almost as complex to implement.  Over time, an infrastructure of recharging stations with quick-recharge capability will become available to facilitate longer trips by people in electric vehicles.  No dangerous fuels will need to be carried on cars, and no wasteful heat engines will be employed in transportation.  The only thing lacking at this time is investment money in the idea and a viable marketing campaign.  The time of the electric car will come as fossil fuel reserves become depleted.