Quote:
Originally Posted by 320touring
The real question should be more fundamental
"Why does modern life need us to be this fast?"
tele commuting would allow better communities (more folks able to use local services/shops as they're about when they are open) with a reduction in fuel consumption, and a corresponding drop in traffic density.
32us MPG at 100mph is a noble goal, but opens more issues than it solves (e.g. acceptance of radical aero designed cars (needed for the Cd's refered to in the blog) and also the issues surrounding energy transference at that sort of speed, should the worst happen)
good on you for getting the thinking going though- some good ideas in the blog and on this thread
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It's Gilkison's blog and I'm not going to answer for him,but the EV community has range-anxiety issues with pure plug-in EVs and this blog was a way to illustrate how existing pack range might be extended simply by reducing the road load itself.
If you want to maintain a warmer home in winter,or cooler home during summer with no change in your utility bill,you can add more R-Factor to your homes floor,ceiling,walls,windows,and doors.
The higher R-Factor equates to a lower Coefficient of heat transfer (a drag coefficient for the house if you will) and your heater or air conditioner doesn't have to work any harder to maintain the new indoor temps.
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Aerodynamic streamlining is a way to add R-Factor against the effects of air drag.The more you streamline,the higher the R-Factor,lower the Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag,and the faster,cleaner, cheaper,or greater distance one can travel at no greater expense.
Maintain you regular speed and you've found the Lost Dutchman Mine.
If I drive a Nissan Leaf to the edge of town on holiday,and rent a gap-sealed,boat-tailed Battery range-extender trailer which cuts the Leaf's Cd from 0.28,to Cd 0.125,I've got a chance to extend the range of the original pack in the car,as well as have a second pack in the trailer to get the family to Grandma's and back.Something which would be otherwise impossible.
