The report discusses the implications of setting up a network of rapid refuelling stations for a population of electric cars each with an acceleration performance and gross weight similar to a 1974 ford escort. three types of battery have been considered: the improved lead-acid battery, the sodium-sulphur battery and the zinc-air (slurry) battery. 'Filling' stations were designed around each battery type. It was found that there would be no insuperable technical problems in setting up the infrastructure and no serious safety or environmental problems would be expected. However, a battery exchange would cost about twice as much as an equivalent amount of petrol from natural crude oil (1975 prices, excluding taxes) and only in the most favourable conditions considered could it approach the cost of synthetic petrol. This is mainly due to the high capital cost of the stations and battery stocks and the high labour cost. The electric cars would have a shorter range and carry less payload than a petrol car. (Author/publisher)
Abstract