Electric Vehicles

By Arindam Chattopadhyaya

SUMMARY: These days electric vehicle is designed in two ways those are Battery Electric Vehicles and Hybrid vehicles. Battery Electric Vehicles covert chemical energy to electrical energy in batteries; whereas Hybrid vehicles, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy via an internal combustion engine and a generator. In this article you will learn plug-in-hybrid.

Nowadays people have more varied choices in buying vehicles and cars. As now they have the option of electric vehicles. But what exactly electric vehicle is? In simple words an electric vehicle, or EV, is a vehicle with one or more electric motors for propulsion. Thus, the motion may be provided either by wheels or propellers driven by rotary motors, or in the case of tracked vehicles, by linear motors.

The energy used to propel these kind of can be obtained from various sources such as:
1. From chemical energy stored on the vehicle in on-board batteries: Battery electric vehicle
2. From both an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and fueled propulsion power source: hybrid vehicle
3. Generated on-board using a combustion engine, as in a diesel-electric locomotive
4. Generated on-board using a fuel cell: fuel cell vehicle
5. Generated on-board using nuclear energy, on nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers
6. From more esoteric sources such as flywheels, wind and solar
7. From a direct connection to land-based generation plants, as is common in electric trains and trolley buses

Electric vehicles generally use electric motors used to drive vehicles because they can be finely controlled, they deliver power efficiently and they are mechanically very simple. Moreover these electric motors often achieve 90% conversion efficiency over the full range of speeds and power output and can be precisely controlled. Thus it won’t be wrong to say that these electric motors can provide high torque while an electric vehicle is stopped, unlike internal combustion engines, and do not need gears to match power curves.

These days electric vehicle is designed in two ways those are Battery Electric Vehicles and Hybrid vehicles. Battery Electric Vehicles covert chemical energy to electrical energy in batteries; whereas Hybrid vehicles, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy via an internal combustion engine and a generator. However, there is another less established form of electric vehicle which is the 'plug-in hybrid'. This 'plug-in hybrid' attempts to combine the benefits of both these designs and allows the moderate capacity batteries of a hybrid vehicle to be recharged not only from the internal combustion engine and generator.

Electric Vehicles include electric wheelchairs, the Segway HT, electric motorcycles and scooters, motorized bicycles, golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles. Furthermore some working electric vehicles include heavy work equipment, fork lifts, and numerous other service and support vehicles. Thus, if you are an environment conscious then electric vehicle is best for you.

Review On Hybrid Car Technology

By Arindam Chattopadhyaya

SUMMARY: There is a serious doubt on the future of current auto industry. Hi tech environment friendly car is the big thing in auto industry. This article discuses some subtle aspects of hybrid car industry.

The biggest question popping these days is that, what sort of vehicles are we actually going to be driving in the future? This question has stirred many minds and brains as world oil reserves are dwindling to such a worrying degree that the tip is we could actually run out of that black gooey stuff in about 50 years time. So what is the alternative left with us considering that there will be no black gold after few years? The answer is Hybrid Cars which will run on alternative fuel i.e. solar battery without emission of toxic substances in nature. But are reliable, will they perform well in future? These kinds of questions are just common these days.

Car is now part of daily life and culture, so it's difficult to imagine getting from one place to another without it, irrespective of distance. The future of the car, as we know, is doomed because of emission of large chunk of our greenhouse emissions, and fossil fuels set to become more costly before eventually running out. Thus this has resulted car manufactures to give a deep thought and are serious about alternative ways to produce engine power.

In other words we can say that it is all about developing the car of the future, a vehicle that will be both greener and more efficient. This is when hybrid car makes its entry. Hybrid car these days is gaining popularity as it is not only cheap but also easily affordable. This means owing this car won’t create any environment hazards and also won’t burn hole in your pocket. But is hybrid car reliable and bankable option? The answer is somehow yes, considering current trend of auto industry

A car with Hybrid technology has two engines, side by side, under the bonnet. This means an electric engine here and a petrol engine there. Seeing today’s cars we come to know that majority cars driven by one or the other engine. This means not that cost effective. Thus, for better mileage and maximum performance, you get them both chiming in together, so you get more power. This can only be found in hybrid cars. That’s why people prefer them over others.

In hybrid car the electric engine also charges the batteries, and that neatly gets you around the old problem of electric cars of having to plug it into the mains overnight. This means no need to worry about recharging too. But one of the biggest disadvantages attached with hybrid cars is that they needed big, heavy battery packs which took up all of the back seat. But this is also now rectified as now you get a full four-seater capacity and enough room in the luggage space for two or three small dogs or maybe even one really big one.

Thus, we can now say that hybrid car is the best and safe option to go for. Visit Author's site to learn more on hybrid car technology.

Shakes, Rattles, Squeaks & Thunks...(Electrical) Part 1

By Gordon Ficke

SUMMARY: Self-help automotive tips for the motorist who likes to save money on expensive automotive service bills. This article is designed for the average car owner who can perform some simple maintenance tasks to keep their vehicle running optimally.

Knowledge is everything, and ignorance is not always bliss. That is pretty much good advice, right? When it comes to driving old reliable why do you see some cars passing you on the highway belching blue smoke, or chugging past you like a steam locomotive on a mountain pass? Are these drivers oblivious to the fact that something is wrong with their vehicle or are they thinking that the problem may just disappear?

Let's face it, maintaining our car's health may not be our favourite pastime, but if driving is a daily part of our lives, then it is imperative and our obligation to ensure that we keep an ongoing check on those normal wear and tear items. A little sage advice is in order here.

Today let's take a look at some electrical problems you may encounter from time to time. Are you experiencing starting problems, vehicle stalling, your lights going dim or don't go on? For the most part, electrical problems like these occur from neglect.

There are some simple checks you can do starting with inspecting the acid level in your battery. If your battery is of the non-serviceable type, there may be eye or dot on top of the battery, which indicates battery charge. Note, that this dot only indicates the charge on one of the battery's six cells, and should be only relied upon as a reference point only for your battery's condition. Battery experts will tell you that it is possible for any of the other battery cells to be completely discharged. For the most part, if the dot is green in colour, then the battery should be fully charged. Yellow indicates a partially discharged battery and black means the battery is discharged and needs to be recharged.

Check the sticker on top of your battery to determine the battery's age. The year and month the battery was purchased will be punched out. Today's batteries can last from three to seven years, depending on the vehicle they are installed in, the situations and conditions they are used in, etc. If the battery has exceeded it's normal lifespan, then replace it.

Older serviceable batteries can be topped up have a lifespan of up to ten years, and that is simply because of maintenance. Most important of all is to keep the battery tops dry as water conducts electricity. A damp battery top means that electricity can travel from one terminal to another, resulting in a fully discharged battery.

While you are checking the battery level check to see if there is excessive corrosion on the battery terminals. Corrosion on the terminals will reduce current flow throughout the vehicle's electrical system, especially during startup, when there is a huge current and voltage demand by the starter.

If the battery registers below 12 volts, then repercussions can occur throughout the electrical systems of your car or truck. Starting the vehicle becomes more laboured. The operation of electrical motors, such as those used in door windows, seats, windshield wipers, fans, etc., slow down. Lighting systems go dim and peculiar things can happen when you use your turn signals, such as certain dash lights come on that shouldn't. All these systems start from a 12 volt source and your car or truck's battery is the heart of the whole electrical system.

Which battery lasts longer? As a rule, the lifetime non-serviceable battery should outlast the serviceable type because it is sealed. However, Murphy's Law applies here and sometimes this is just not the case. Good advice is to buy the best battery you can afford.

Vehicle Security and Tracking

By Jeffrey Stoker

SUMMARY: A GPS tracking unit is the latest in personal vehicle locating and tracking that will give the end user the ability to locate and track their vehicle with any Internet connected computer, or now their cell phone.

It’s ten o’clock; do you know where your children are…and how fast they’re traveling? Since its inception, the driver’s license has been a rite of passage from the teenage into the adult years and has always struck terror in the hearts of parents. There is a way to help parent through these times. Seems impossible? Imagine if you had the ability to instantly know the location of your car and child and how fast she traveled to get where she was going.

This is exactly what a GPS tracking system will do for you and your peace of mind. Technology that was developed for the United States Military is now available for families; offering a comfort and tranquility uncommon in parents of teenage drivers. The system follows vehicle movement – anywhere in North America, at any time – and generates an online location report of the vehicle’s last known position, including the street address if available. The printable report includes the amount of time the vehicle was at a location, the speeds en route and the direction in which the vehicle was traveling.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute, “Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal.” Many of these crashes result from inexperienced drivers operating vehicles under dangerously excessive speeds. With statistics like these parents owe it to themselves to know how fast their children are driving, especially if high rates of speed are often the reason for serious accidents. With a tracking unit installed, it doesn’t just give parents crucial information; it puts parents in the car with their child -- at all times. The next time 16 year old Johnny considers testing the maximum speed of the family mini van, he may think twice and decide he’s not ready to pay the consequences once he pulls into the driveway for the night. It would be nice if we as parents could always be with our children when they are driving.

Careless driving is only one of the aspects that cause parents undue distress. The other is not knowing where our children are once they have left our house. Safety Track takes this wondering out of your day and night. At any time, parents can log on to a secure website and access a detailed map showing exactly where their car is located, providing their child has not left the North American continent. Try visualizing the feeling you will experience when you can see for yourself, from the comfort of your home computer, that Susie is at the high school basketball game and not out at the local fraternity party. Not only that, but you will be informed of the time she left the game as well.

Free Vehicle History Report - Is There Such a Thing

SUMMARY: Used car buyers are always searching for a free vehicle history report...but does it really exist? Well, yes and no. You can get free history reports from some dealers online and off, but you can't just enter the VIN of a vehicle you have found on your own and expect to get a full report of that particular vehicle...for that you're going to have to pay.

Used car buyers are always searching for a free vehicle history report...but does it really exist? Well, yes and no. You can get free history reports from some dealers online and off, but you can't just enter the VIN of a vehicle you have found on your own and expect to get a full report of that particular vehicle...for that you're going to have to pay.

The confusion lies in the fact that there is a "free" element to the research process. If you have the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, there are a few sites where you can enter that number and learn some information about the car for free. Each letter and number stands for something, and what is often advertised as a free car history report is actually a VIN decoder.

The decoder will usually tell you the make, model, year, type of restraint system, body style, engine and the assembly plant. This information is useful, as it provides important information about the vehicle. As an example, the seller might tell you that it's a 2004 Ford Taurus. But the VIN check might tell you that it is in fact a 2003 model. So you'll know right away that this is not a deal you should proceed with, as the seller is not being truthful about the vehicle. If they are not being honest about the model itself, you can bet they won't be revealing any hidden problems.

So the free vehicle history report is in essence the free decoding of the VIN to tell you exactly what type of car you are considering. If you want to find out more information, as most buyers do, such as hidden mechanical issues, odometer problems, mileage, fire damage, etc. then you need to order a complete report.

After your free car history check, you are given the option to purchase one complete vehicle history report or unlimited reports. If you just want to research one car, then you should opt for the single. If, like most buyers, you are looking at a number of different vehicles, you should opt for the unlimited reports, which in most cases allow you to research as many autos as you want within a certain period of time, usually 60 days.

The cost of these reports varies, but it is usually around $19.99 and $24.99 for the single and unlimited options, respectively. Although they are not free vehicle history reports, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. If you think about it, paying $20 to avoid a vehicle that would have ended up costing you thousands of dollars in mechanical issues is definitely worth it in our opinion. Oftentimes a seller won't tell you about a serious underlying problem, or he or she may not be aware of it. Even after test driving the car, you may not pick up on something...even trained mechanics miss things now and then. That's why a car history report is so important.

So we learned that the free vehicle history report is not really free, at least the full report isn't. But at only $20 to learn about the vehicle from the time it was first registered up until the last DMV transaction, it is well worth it. So if you're in the market for a used car, make sure you get a history report before you buy...you'll be glad you did!

By Scott LeRoy

Car Accidents Advice

By Peter Basset

SUMMARY: If you have been involved in a car accident then there are some important things to remember to avoid further complications. Hopefully this article will give you a couple of important pointers to help you out.

Car accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, and it is important to remember certain things if you are involved in an accident. You need to learn the vital tips that will maximize how many benefits you can get as an accident victim. The first critical thing you must do when you are in a car accident is to call the police immediately and wait for their arrival. You are better off not discussing any details of the accident with the other drivers involved. However, you must seek immediate medical help first if you or anyone else has suffered any injuries.

Usually, out of whatever emotion, you may want to talk about your injuries and the accident with the other drivers involved or someone who represents and insurance company. Don’t do it because it can impede your case. Remember you are not obliged to discuss or disclose any information. By doing so you could unwittingly give out information or details that appear irrelevant to you, but could greatly hinder your case or worse, leave you liable for all the costs incurred in the accident.

Next, you should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you can after the event. These types of attorneys are easy to find on the Internet. Be aware that physical injury is not the only reason for getting compensation – mental stress and trauma are also included. So, once you have been assessed for injury, get a reliable lawyer to work on your case immediately and assess the treatment (s) you received or are receiving as a result of the accident. This way you can maximize your compensation for personal damages.

You should also be conscious that most accidents are assessed as being a result of negligence. This means that any accident is immediately assessed as having been the result of negligent driving by one of the drivers involved. Courts consider all factors and conditions that may have caused the accident. Liability can also include a driver’s reckless or intentional behavior. Most importantly having car insurance will help cover some of the immediate damages to your vehicle. Whatever the case, all these things are imperative to know to get the right amount of compensation and to avoid extensive litigation.

Helmets - Why Do You Need It When Riding?

By Alan Ross

SUMMARY: Helmet is a French derivative of the word 'helm' from 15th century. Although helmets are available in countless designs for different utilities, they all serve just one purpose, which is head protection. The earlier helmets used to be manufactured in leather till the 10th century AD when metals with inner cloth lining for cushioning and comfort of wearing on the head became the norm. Helmet wearing is mandatory in northern America, barring a few states, for all bikers, whereas Sikhs are demanding a waiver from this mandate.

Helmet is a French derivative of the word ‘helm’ from 15th century. Although helmets are available in countless designs for different utilities, they all serve just one purpose, which is head protection. The earlier helmets used to be manufactured in leather till the 10th century AD when metals with inner cloth lining for cushioning and comfort of wearing on the head became the norm. Helmet wearing is mandatory in northern America, barring a few states, for all bikers, whereas Sikhs are demanding a waiver from this mandate.

Functional Utility and Symbolism

Till the early 20th century, helmets were basically the protective head gears of soldiers and used to be a part of combat uniform. With industrialization, helmets reinvented themselves and undergone a lot of changes, both in terms of strengths and weights and became a ‘must wear’ for certain industrial workers in sectors such as mining, construction and manufacturing etc. Surely, the popularity of helmets shot-up, thanks to the symbolic protection they offered.

Typical Classification

Helmets can be classified based on their utility and construction. The simplest for of helmets worn by construction workers and bicycle riders are nothing more than ‘hard hats’ as they are required to protect blunt impacts, whereas a soldier’s helmets are designed for ballistic impact protection. These are made by Kevlar©, which has excellent bullet proofing qualities and fragmentation powers.

Helmets match particular needs also. Military helmets identify the ranks of the wearers with symbolic visors and bars therein, whereas ‘hard hats’ of bicycle riders sport large ventilation slots.

Quality Standards

Bikers and parents of small children are in dilemma concerning the sudden fall in children’s helmet prices. One must keep in mind that price is not a good quality indicator. In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires all helmets be certified. The certification is issued after stringent quality tests are carried out. There is another quality standard for helmets, too. Snell Memorial Foundation standards or ‘Snells’ as they are known are a bit extra stringent, albeit not compulsory by all types of helmet manufacturers to conform to. This fact should try to put at rest the apprehensions of consumers when they don’t see Snells’ label on helmets.

It is hard to think of a modern and adventurous sport without helmets being mandatory. Although helmets aren’t absolutely safe, you can’t think of cross country biking without them, especially if the riders are your little ones, helmets are a must!