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Environment & Energy

TheWraith

(24,331 posts)

1. Standard car batteries contain roughly 80 amp-hours of electricity.

Reply to txlibdem (Original post)

Tue Mar 13, 2012, 03:21 PM

Mar 2012

At 12.6 volts, that's 1,008 watt-hours per battery. Two batteries means 2,016 watt-hours. Typical battery-to-wheels efficiency for an electric vehicle is around 250 watt-hours per mile at 35 MPH. So yes, you can drive an EV on two regular car batteries as long as you don't need to go more than 8 miles, round trip, at low speed.

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You can drive an electric car with only two 12v car batteries! [View all] txlibdem Mar 2012 OP

Standard car batteries contain roughly 80 amp-hours of electricity. TheWraith Mar 2012 #1

The battery pack in the Chevy Volt is 400V (IIRC) txlibdem Mar 2012 #8

Watt-hours determine range, voltage determines potential torque. TheWraith Mar 2012 #15

that efficiency is a tad low dmallind Mar 2012 #16

You're right, it probably is, at least for 35 MPH. TheWraith Mar 2012 #17

The bugger with EVs is "it all depends" dmallind Mar 2012 #18

Does it only work on snow? immoderate Mar 2012 #2

Just not very far zipplewrath Mar 2012 #3

And his car is a lot heavier txlibdem Mar 2012 #9

Do better with bigger cables zipplewrath Mar 2012 #14

I know what you mean. He's gonna need cables 5 times as big. txlibdem Mar 2012 #20

Ha! Very cool, indeed. I like the dog, too! nt MADem Mar 2012 #4

I had a converted MGB for a while. tinrobot Mar 2012 #5

sweet txlibdem Mar 2012 #10

Absolutely got the grin... tinrobot Mar 2012 #19

Congrats on the Active E txlibdem Mar 2012 #21

So now you've got an even bigger EV grin? txlibdem Mar 2012 #22

You could drive a standard car with a single battery… OKIsItJustMe Mar 2012 #6

Well... I wouldn't try my commute like that I'll tell ya that much txlibdem Mar 2012 #7

I'll confess to doing that... Dead_Parrot Mar 2012 #11

Worth it for the captions for the dog. joshcryer Mar 2012 #12

He just wanted to come along for the ride txlibdem Mar 2012 #13