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To: cousin; All
Ok, let me answer a couple of questions, and add some perspective. I am an electronics tech and a science buff, so I can understand this better than most, not as well as some.

First, as to how much to charge this car, in say, 3 hours.

A 200 mile range, with the ability to do 0-60 in 4 secs.

A 135KW motor.

(something to keep in mind. That "135 KW " figure for the motor is most likely the MAXIMUM power draw it can safely sustain for operation for a limited time. at the 135 KW, it is probably producing 170HP or so. HOWEVER. It will NOT be producing that 170HP and using 135 KW for the WHOLE time the car is driven. Just as an average car, with say a 175HP v-6 engine today may have the ABILITY to produce that 175 HP, it will ONLY do this for a VERY short duty cycle, compared to overall driving.

IOW-- This "peak power" is needed by gas AND electric cars, for take-off, passing, acceleration and such. NO car-- be it a honda insight or a Corvette Z06-- can be expected to produce that full output of the engine(or motor) for long. If they did-- one would use an ENTIRE tank of 20 gals of gas in about 20 MILES!!

So-- the motor's 175 KW rating is the MAX it will draw, for needed acceleration. The battery pack is NOT a 135 KW/hr one- it would be WAY to heavy. Most likely, it is in the 30KW/hr range. (the EV-1 had les than a 20 KW/hr pack in it). This IS enough, to provide the car for the 200 mile range, as the "peak power" will NOT be used for long. if it is-- 10 miles would be more like the range!! )

SO assuming that there is a 30 KW/hr battery pack onboard-- recharging in in 3 hrs - that would require about 35-40 KW/hrs to accomplish(due to losses throughout the system.)

Using these figures-- I would guess about 40a. at 230 volts, would be needed.

As a reference-- a modern, 3-ton A/C system in a home of about 12 SEER will need about HALF of this-- to cool a home!!
55 posted on 07/28/2006 4:40:29 PM PDT by Rca2000 (I may be a prude, but at least I am CONSISTENT about my beliefs!!)
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To: Rca2000

Here's what Tesla says:

http://www.teslamotors.com/engineering/how_it_works.php


65 posted on 07/28/2006 5:21:30 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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