http://gigaom.com/cleantech/fisker-eyes-simpler-engine-as-one-key-to-a-lower-cost-plug-in/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:27:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://gigaom.com/cleantech/fisker-eyes-simpler-engine-as-one-key-to-a-lower-cost-plug-in/#comment-22230 Sat, 30 May 2009 08:54:35 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=29326#comment-22230 The objective is to build dual-fuel vehicles that can run on electrical power and a range of synthesized hydrocarbon fuels.
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Methanol and isobutanol can be synthesized from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
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Alcohols can be used in combustion engines and they can also be used as the fuel for fuel cells.
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A plug-in hybrid can then have a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) instead of an engine.
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The value of carrying alcohol fuel is that it has greater energy density than batteries can provide. You have the energy to drive that extra distance when your battery state of charge would leave you stranded if you only had a battery.
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An example is the fuel and hybrid fuel cell systems that soldiers can now carry. The system weighs less than just batteries — and lets them carry more power.
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]]> http://gigaom.com/cleantech/fisker-eyes-simpler-engine-as-one-key-to-a-lower-cost-plug-in/#comment-22229 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:10:44 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=29326#comment-22229 [...] This bright idea (ok, it’s a pun) is a useful vehicle that looks like a slicked-up panel truck, but if you count the number of panel trucks on the road today and add up their gasoline exhausts, there is probably more carbon to be saved on those than on the sexy 2-seaters that are being hawked around by Tesla (http://www.teslamotors.com)  and archrival Fisker (http://www.fiskerautomotive.com).   Fisker said today that a simpler EV power system might hold the combination of cheaper EVs (http://earth2tech.com/2009/04/21/fisker-eyes-simpler-engine-as-one-key-to-a-lower-cost-plug-in/). [...]

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