Bishop Abraham Memorial College

There is a large movement to rid dependence on gas and oil. For some, the electric car is an excellent choice to support their concerns. Electric cars run on batteries. The speed, the distance they can run and the efficiency are all dependent on the batteries. Batteries are the biggest concern with winter and electric cars. The cold weather slows down the chemistry inside the battery. This means the batteries do not charge like they do it warmer weather. It also means they do not generate power like they in warmer times. To put it into perspective, at freezing temperature forty percent of the batteries capacity is gone. So obviously part of winterizing the electric car would be to try and keep the battery bank warm. Insulation is a good idea. Here are some specifications for insulation. *Ventilation is important. Batteries release gases as they are charging. Leave room for the gases to escape. *Non flammable *High R value *Flexible enough to fit around batteries Keeping the batteries warm will help them be more effective Drive the car Keep the car moving during the winter. The battery works better with use. Charging and discharging the battery helps to keep it working. This helps to warm the battery. This goal may not be as easy as it sounds. The same batteries that run the car also run the heater. So most people are excited about the possibility of having to layer and wear long johns because there is not enough battery charge to run the car and the heater. However it is important to use the car. Charging Charging the battery warms it up. If the car is kept in a well insulated garage and the battery bank is well insulated. The battery will typically hold the heat of charging. Now remember we are still talking about a car so all the basic of winterizing a car still apply. How is the windshield? Is the car equipped the the right kind of windshield wipers? If one can not see, one can not drive. Another important consideration are the transmission and wheel bearings. These need to be lubricated with winter appropriate lubricants. Typically a synthetic lubricant is the best choice. Tires need to be the proper kind of tires. They also have to be adjusted to have the proper air pressure for winter driving. This is something that needs to be checked and adjusted often. Honestly the directions and specifications are all in the owners manual. Reading and following these instructions can make the difference between a successful winter experience or a miserable situation. Sources: http://www.treehugger.com/file s/2010/06/can-electric-cars-wo rk-in-cold-cana http://www.electric-cars-are-f or-girls.com/winterize.html Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11