John Lussmyer via EV wrote:
People would also need to be willing to accept the crash safety level of
a motorcycle.
I don't think it's nearly that bad. Many small and light ICE vehicles
have nevertheless passed crash test standards and had excellent safety
records. It just requires that the designers don't use weight as a
substitute for safety.
An EV example was the Solectria Sunrise, an ultra-efficient 4-passenger
sedan that weighed only 1433 lbs (630 kg); yet it passed the DOT crash
test standards at the time (1996).
BTW: I wondered who built the first solar-powered car, and ran across this:
"In 1962, the American engineer and businessman Charles Escoffery built
the world's first solar car. Because there were no EVs on the market at
the time, Escoffery used a 1912 Baker Electric as the basis for his
solar car. The car was basically unmodified, except for the addition of
a plate with 10,000 International Rectifier photovoltaic solar cells on
the roof. Power was routed to the batteries via power cables at the
front and back of the panel."
"If you left the Baker Electric with the solar panel in the sun for
eight to ten hours, the batteries were full charged. You could then
drive it about 50 miles in three hours at an average speed of 18 mph (30
kmh)."
That's actually pretty impressive for such early technology!
Lee
--
Never doubt that the work of a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has! -- Margaret Mead
--
Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com
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