Battery operated cars are engineered in this study by the systems design approach. Recent trends pointing to the feasibility of future all-electric passenger cars are listed with their generic composition being based on conforming in most design characteristics to conventional piston-engine automobiles. Electric motors integral with the wheels are shown to require only 4 per cent of the vehicle gross weight, leaving up to one-half of the remainder wight for allocation to batteries. Top speeds of 90-100 m.p.h. are easily attainable in conjunction with adequate accelerative performance. Batteries varying in energy density between those of commercially available models and those of future possibilities are discussed and used in calculations for the range between recharges of replacements.
Abstract