Top Tech Voices Podcast — Episode 5: EVs, The Race To Electrify & Power Management

JoRatcliffe said:

What do you think of today's episode? How interested are you in buying an electric car, and is there a particular feature, capability or distance they can travel on one charge which would convince you to take the plunge?

Another interesting episode.

I think I was more excited with electric cars back in the 90's. The AC Propulsion tZero project looked like it was about to reignite the kit car market of the 80's.

Some of the more modern lightweight concept car stuff looks interesting but not much appears to be making it to market.

JoRatcliffe said:

I think it will be a while before an EV is in my price range but funnily enough one of the most attractive features I've seen is remote climate control and de-fogging. The car could start warming itself up at a pre-set time ahead of me driving to the office in the morning.

It wouldn't have been all that difficult to do that with an ICE car, just plug it in overnight in the winter months, however not a feature that I ever saw adopted in the UK.

beacon_dave said:

I think I was more excited with electric cars back in the 90's. The AC Propulsion tZero project looked like it was about to reignite the kit car market of the 80's.

I like it! I sometimes think a Sinclair C5 would be fun for nipping to the shops, although you can't fit much more than a loaf of bread in the 'trunk'.

A 110HP electric golf cart with a 2500 lb towing capacity. Electric is amazing.

https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/electric-vehicles/ 

This little lady is 1000HP

Not much room for your shopping but at least you can get your ice cream home before it melts...

Next record attempt due in Maine, USA in June / July 2025.

( Would be nice for e14 to do a podcast session with Eva and Bill  JoRatcliffe  ).

That's great, and very cool design with the sidecar! Wishing them the very best with their next record attempt.

beacon_dave said:

Would be nice for e14 to do a podcast session with Eva and Bill

Now there's an idea...

JoRatcliffe said:

very cool design with the sidecar

Green Envy has been designed to accommodate a second sidecar, which allows her to run on 3 wheels in the motorcycle class or on 4 wheels in the car class.

3D printing large sidecar parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DuVWZcmXYU

However one of the issues there is getting enough traction between a single driven rear wheel and the ground. But Eva and Bill have worked on that and they have designed a new wheel and tyre. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO5MLx6ssN0

JoRatcliffe said:

Now there's an idea...

Past podcasts/presentations:

https://etech49.com/ep47-interview-with-eva-bill-greenenvy-racing/

https://etech49.com/ep25-interview-with-eva-hakansson-land-speed-record-holder/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns4yLNrE1so

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l8ITOGJo2c

The Twike 5 looks like it has potential until you look at the pricing 

https://twike.com/en/twike5/

but then I watched the video on the Twike 3, which was, well... terrifying...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-LegOd8Jxo 

Haha! Yep I shouldn't have looked at the pricing.

Great video with an equally excellent follow-up video.

The direct chain drive from the pedals could be a bit interesting if the freewheel mechanism ever jams. Can you imagine that happening under full throttle ? yup, terrifying... With the latest version I see it's been replaced by a small generator that charges the battery.

JoRatcliffe said:

Wishing them the very best with their next record attempt.

One step closer...

Green Envy arrived in Maine!

Nice! Not long to wait now

Nice! Not long to wait now