Lean, mean, electric machines

[nitromaniac]

The 350 horsepower 'Kilacycle,' is part of a new breed of high-performance, high-speed, electric vehicles. NBC's John Larson reports.

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-gb&vid=...

[Tet]

Yes, but a few weeks ago, this happened:

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33853/113/ 

In general, though, I think there should be a bright future for electric powered drag vehicles.

[MotorPsycho]

The thing people forget/choose to ignore about electric 'green' vehicles is that electricity doesn't come from no where, right now fossil fuels (predominantly) still have to be burned to produce the electricity that powers electric cars, so great we're burning less fuel in cars, but more at power stations - ok this is negated when/if renewable power is fully implemented but looking at the whole picture it is not really any greener, the lifetime environmental costs are also the same as a petrol car if not higher, lithium cells have an finite life and are not recyclable.

That bike is however very impressive and certainly quick, but you lose the sound which is part of the drag racing spectacle, why not just run alcohol it's greener than petrol or electric.

Edited by MotorPsycho on Sunday 7th October 17:14

[anonymous-user]

Back when we were creating publicity for the first World Street Race, there was a Canadian chap by the name of Ray, who was developing some electric motors to be used in drag racing. They seemed to have a lot of potential, but I was always usless at electronics and stuff like that, so just nodded and agreed...

Frosty will remember those days lol.

[GreenV8S]

Nitro-besty said:

Back when we were creating publicity for the first World Street Race, there was a Canadian chap by the name of Ray, who was developing some electric motors to be used in drag racing. They seemed to have a lot of potential, but I was always usless at electronics and stuff like that, so just nodded and agreed...

Frosty will remember those days lol.

[kestral]

It could be seen that something bad was going to happen. No leathers ,No helmet and on the foot path.What did he say 400hp.This is what can happen when cameras are around and people feel obligated to perform.

[Time Machine]

MotorPsycho said:

The thing people forget/choose to ignore about electric 'green' vehicles is that electricity doesn't come from no where, right now fossil fuels (predominantly) still have to be burned to produce the electricity that powers electric cars, so great we're burning less fuel in cars, but more at power stations - ok this is negated when/if renewable power is fully implemented but looking at the whole picture it is not really any greener, the lifetime environmental costs are also the same as a petrol car if not higher, lithium cells have an finite life and are not recyclable.

And there are heavy transmission losses in getting the electricity from the plant to the end user, further decreasing the efficiency. The real focus should be on equipping cars to run a petrol/(m)ethanol hybrid during a transition phase from fossil to alternative energy and ensuring lubricants and greases can be produced sustainably from non-fossil sources. The 'gasohol' technology has been around for years and could pretty much double available petrol reserves - the only (non-political/financial) supply restriction would be the production of bio-ethanol - environmental damage is already being done when forests are cleared to grow a crop for bio-ethanol production.

[BennettRacing]

I must be wrong in the head but I think he deserved coming off that bike, no helmet, not the proper rider, no leathers or gloves, with a little bit of water that was bound to get some grip.....

[Tet]

Time Machine said:

The 'gasohol' technology has been around for years and could pretty much double available petrol reserves - the only (non-political/financial) supply restriction would be the production of bio-ethanol - environmental damage is already being done when forests are cleared to grow a crop for bio-ethanol production.

It's not just the environmental damage, though. Bio-ethanol is not a sustainable solution, and possibly even not a very good temporary one either. I seem to recall a study showing there isn't enough arable land in the world to grow enough bio-ethanol producing crops to satisfy current energy needs, let alone increased demand as countries like India and China increase their energy consumption. Also there's some debate about whether bio-ethanol is cost effective (in energy terms). The jury is out on whether it uses more energy to produce than you get out of it.

[Time Machine]

Tet said:

It's not just the environmental damage, though. Bio-ethanol is not a sustainable solution, and possibly even not a very good temporary one either. I seem to recall a study showing there isn't enough arable land in the world to grow enough bio-ethanol producing crops to satisfy current energy needs, let alone increased demand as countries like India and China increase their energy consumption. Also there's some debate about whether bio-ethanol is cost effective (in energy terms). The jury is out on whether it uses more energy to produce than you get out of it.

Interesting. I wonder then where the future does lie? We can bury our heads in the grease all we like but eventually the oil will run out, and personally I rather like the internal combustion engine (and external combustion engines for that matter) so would like to see something happen to continue the usage of reciprocating pistons. Electric motors just don't have the same thrill for me.

[FordCorsair]

On the theme of electric Drag Racing I was introduced (or eyes opened) to these websites from a New Zealand Drag Racing forum...

http://www.paradefloats.com/pages/orangejuice2.htm...
http://www.powerofdc.com/competitors.html
http://www.nedra.com/100mph_club.html#orangejuice
http://www.plasmaboyracing.com/

[Jon C]

Time Machine said:

Interesting. I wonder then where the future does lie? We can bury our heads in the grease all we like but eventually the oil will run out, and personally I rather like the internal combustion engine (and external combustion engines for that matter) so would like to see something happen to continue the usage of reciprocating pistons. Electric motors just don't have the same thrill for me.

Oh I dont know...