I have read a few posts from Darrell and read on his website about electric cars, trucks, mail trucks, etc. OF all the types of vehicles, it seems after they are made, a decision is made to quit. I am sure we can think of various reasons such as the oil companies, unions, public demand, but what about the though of replacing the batteries?
I dont know about you guys, but I dred replacing the two deep cycle batteries that fit in the various wheelchairs I own and used the past few years. Its hard enough to find two the same age, I cant imagine the cost at finding 12 or so identical batteries and the hassle of installing, removing them and charging/cycle them.
I use to use an electrical scooter that uses two deep cycle u1 batteries or 35 amp hours hooked in series for 24 volts. Basically as they died the range was reduced per a charge. When in great shape it would run three days between charges. Then it got to the point it would go two days, then one day and finally a few hours. I would just head to walmart and look for two identical batteries and plop down 70 bucks for them, carry them home, swap them out, leave it on charge all afternoon and night and morning. Then at a later date carry them back for the core. After a week or so they seem to build up a longer range and charge faster each time. I did this every 6months, buying batteries.
I think the hybrids use a pack that contains 280 C cell nickle metal batteries. Last I heard on an auto show on NBC they are experiencing shortage of those cells. I can just imagine the nightmare of finding 280 matched cells and how one cell going bad could ruin the whole pack.
I dont know about you guys, but I dred replacing the two deep cycle batteries that fit in the various wheelchairs I own and used the past few years. Its hard enough to find two the same age, I cant imagine the cost at finding 12 or so identical batteries and the hassle of installing, removing them and charging/cycle them.
I use to use an electrical scooter that uses two deep cycle u1 batteries or 35 amp hours hooked in series for 24 volts. Basically as they died the range was reduced per a charge. When in great shape it would run three days between charges. Then it got to the point it would go two days, then one day and finally a few hours. I would just head to walmart and look for two identical batteries and plop down 70 bucks for them, carry them home, swap them out, leave it on charge all afternoon and night and morning. Then at a later date carry them back for the core. After a week or so they seem to build up a longer range and charge faster each time. I did this every 6months, buying batteries.
I think the hybrids use a pack that contains 280 C cell nickle metal batteries. Last I heard on an auto show on NBC they are experiencing shortage of those cells. I can just imagine the nightmare of finding 280 matched cells and how one cell going bad could ruin the whole pack.