Electric Land Rover? A great "green" development
May 16th, 2011, 10:43 AM
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Electric Land Rover? A great "green" development
I just saw this posted over on Gadling: Land Rover is testing an electric safari vehicle.
http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/11/el...-even-greener/
Not sure how long it may be before we start seeing these in action, but I love the idea!
http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/11/el...-even-greener/
Not sure how long it may be before we start seeing these in action, but I love the idea!
May 16th, 2011, 08:54 PM
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Singita tried one, too. Unfortunately, according to a fodorite who was there recently (I'm so sorry - I can't find who it was. Please chime in and chide me relentlessly) said it is "broken". It's a great idea, though. A quiet safari vehicle would be great. Not sure if it's practical -yet.
May 17th, 2011, 12:36 AM
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Great quiet idea, solving many problems for safari goers with engine noise, vibration, disturbing the wildlife, plus the environmental benefits.
However, a good game drive in Sabi or elsewhere (outside of Kruger type mettled roads) will need both engine-braking and engine torque; neither can be provided by electric. This can only really be provided by a diesel engine.
Another problem would be ease of servicing, availability of electricity and reliability.
Good for relatively accessible Parks and Reserves with good services & roadways, not so good for large tracts of concessions and reserves, off the beaten track.
However, a good game drive in Sabi or elsewhere (outside of Kruger type mettled roads) will need both engine-braking and engine torque; neither can be provided by electric. This can only really be provided by a diesel engine.
Another problem would be ease of servicing, availability of electricity and reliability.
Good for relatively accessible Parks and Reserves with good services & roadways, not so good for large tracts of concessions and reserves, off the beaten track.
May 17th, 2011, 01:59 AM
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Yes, servicing and spare parts are big factors in Africa. And "three times the range of a typical game drive" is too little for the self-driver or even the mobile camping tour operator.
But it is a step towards the right direction. Those old Landrovers and Landcruisers are very noisy.
But it is a step towards the right direction. Those old Landrovers and Landcruisers are very noisy.
May 17th, 2011, 04:04 AM
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Natural Gas vehicles FAR more eco-friendly than
Electrical Vehicles with their impossible to destroy
large bulky lithium batteries and they
must be charged using large amounts of coal
which spews into the atomsophere.
So best for me Natural Gas although
TaTa is testing compressed air vehicles
that might have promise.
Love my Range Rover though except for minor electrical issues.
Electrical Vehicles with their impossible to destroy
large bulky lithium batteries and they
must be charged using large amounts of coal
which spews into the atomsophere.
So best for me Natural Gas although
TaTa is testing compressed air vehicles
that might have promise.
Love my Range Rover though except for minor electrical issues.
May 17th, 2011, 05:54 AM
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>both engine-braking and engine torque; neither can be provided by electric.
Just for the record, railroad locomotives accomplish both heavy "engine" braking (actually dynamic braking) and torque without using the diesel engine. Those functions are accomplished electrically. (I'm not claiming, however, that would be appropriate for an automobile.)
Just for the record, railroad locomotives accomplish both heavy "engine" braking (actually dynamic braking) and torque without using the diesel engine. Those functions are accomplished electrically. (I'm not claiming, however, that would be appropriate for an automobile.)
May 17th, 2011, 04:22 PM
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Railroad locomotives use the diesel generator electric motor for reasons of power/torque transmission. How do you slip the clutch and shift gears on 12 driving wheels and an 8,000 ton load?
But I would appreciate quieter game drive vehicles. In 2009 at Kings Camp (South Africa) they had a new Toyota cruiser that was noticeably quieter and smoother ride. And regarding other game drive (un-natural) noises, how about the guides using radios with headsets and face mics?
regards - tom
But I would appreciate quieter game drive vehicles. In 2009 at Kings Camp (South Africa) they had a new Toyota cruiser that was noticeably quieter and smoother ride. And regarding other game drive (un-natural) noises, how about the guides using radios with headsets and face mics?
regards - tom
May 18th, 2011, 08:26 AM
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>How do you slip the clutch and shift gears on 12 driving wheels and an 8,000 ton load?
In a modern diesel-electric locomotive there is no transmission needed for the electric traction motors so no gears, no clutch, just pure electric power. The diesel only turns a generator with then provides the electric power to the motors; there's no mechanical connection to the axles.
There's plenty of torque in modern locomotives, enough to roll loads in excess of 12,000 tons on the level. As torque requirements vary as the train reaches speed the electric power is routed in various ways to the motors (eg, putting motors in series or parallel, and so on) which is somewhat analogous to changing gears.
In a modern diesel-electric locomotive there is no transmission needed for the electric traction motors so no gears, no clutch, just pure electric power. The diesel only turns a generator with then provides the electric power to the motors; there's no mechanical connection to the axles.
There's plenty of torque in modern locomotives, enough to roll loads in excess of 12,000 tons on the level. As torque requirements vary as the train reaches speed the electric power is routed in various ways to the motors (eg, putting motors in series or parallel, and so on) which is somewhat analogous to changing gears.
May 18th, 2011, 10:40 AM
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">How do you slip the clutch and shift gears on 12 driving wheels and an 8,000 ton load?"
I was trying to say (rather obtusely I admit) that the reason locomotives use diesel generated electric power is -not- because electricity itself is so wonderful. It is because (like you said) that is the best way to transmit power and torque to the driving wheels. And maybe it is obvious, but there is no comparison between the power requirement of a game drive vehicle and a locomotive.
regards - tom
I was trying to say (rather obtusely I admit) that the reason locomotives use diesel generated electric power is -not- because electricity itself is so wonderful. It is because (like you said) that is the best way to transmit power and torque to the driving wheels. And maybe it is obvious, but there is no comparison between the power requirement of a game drive vehicle and a locomotive.
regards - tom
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