Comments on: Solar Tree that Doubles as an EV Charger Going Up at GM Site

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Size is less important than weight and aerodynamics.

A lightweight, “slick” car can be roomy and still take less energy to move. Car manufacturers are working on this for both electric and fuel cars.
Amory Lovins described the ideal car shape as a straight banana. Tapered at both ends and having most of its interior space in length rather than width.

Light weight is often an economic consideration. Aluminum is more expensive than steel. Aerodynamics are often market constrained, people don’t want to drive something that looks too “strange”.

By: naoru

naoru — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:31:00 +0000

these numbers look great given that while you’re working you’re leaving the car to charge. i think another important step is to reduce car sizes so it would be possible to get to higher efficiency maybe to 8 km/kwh

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:51:00 +0000

In a sunny climate. a solar carport the right size for your car generates enough electricity to run the car parked beneath it. This image illustrates that nicely.

And the carport will generate a surplus when covered with 3D solar cells

Let’s assume that an average electric car can drive about 4 km per kWh (many LEAF owners get 5-6 km/kWh). 30,000 kWh/year is good enough for 120,000 electric km’s per year, or the operational energy use for about 8 cars (assuming an ~15,000 km per car per year).