Fuel Source Agnostic

At Edison2 we are fuel source agnostic.  Our X Prize entry is powered by an internal combustion engine running on E85 because we read the rules carefully and want to win the X Prize. Our analyses of weight, drag and efficiency led us away from the significant added weight of batteries toward the simple efficiency of very low weight and superior aerodynamics.

But we see the extreme platform efficiency embodied in the Very Light Car offering benefits to all power sources. What is efficient with E85 is similarly efficient with diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, natural gas, batteries or a hybrid drive. EVs and PHEVs in particular can benefit from our innovations, needing fewer batteries and having greater range at lower cost.

Edison2 is not against electric vehicles. But we believe the purpose and function of a vehicle – the use cycle - must be considered in determining efficiency. Certain cars are better suited for certain jobs. A one-ton diesel truck is an inefficient choice for commuting to and from work. Electric vehicles are best suited for urban environments, with plenty of opportunity to regenerate energy from braking and only a modest range requirement. Not such a good choice for suburban commutes, perhaps, with greater range needing more batteries and longer charging times.

When the grid moves away from carbon and becomes based on wind, solar, tides and nuclear – rather than the almost 80% of US electric capacity that currently comes from fossil fuels – electric vehicles may well become the best choice for many uses. But until then we need to dramatically decrease our use of energy and our production of greenhouse gases.

For the foreseeable future we will remain dependent on stored, carbon-based BTUs. We need to learn how to stretch these fuels and apply them wisely. The Very Light Car, with its efficient body and chassis and an engine using 85% renewable ethanol, does exactly that.



New Doubts About EVs

Two new reports on electric vehicles raise doubts about the ability of electric vehicles to help lower CO₂ emissions until the world moves away from coal-based electric generation.

In fact, a study by researchers from Tsinghua University (China) and Argonne National Laboratory (US) found that a large-scale conversion to EVs in China could actually increase carbon emissions, compared to internal combustion and hybrid drives. SO₂ and NO_x emissions also increase in China with increased use of electric vehicles, although the conversion would decrease the use of oil. Coal-based power dominates the Chinese electric grid, accounting for over 95% of electric generation in some regions and a large majority overall.

Considering that vehicle use in China is expected to exceed that in the US by the middle of the century, this electric vehicle concern is an important one. And it is not just an issue in China.

A report by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering finds that in order for electric vehicles to have a big effect on climate change the grid in Britain needs to move away from coal towards non-carbon power sources, such as nuclear, wind and wave. As the report puts it, “EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) can only be as ‘green’ as the electricity used to charge their batteries.”

With almost 70% of US electricity coming from fossil fuels (and most of that from coal) the same is true in the US. Simply converting to electric vehicles does not solve emissions problems. Energy needs to become much greener and vehicles must become way more efficient.

Like 100 mpg. The Automotive X Prize is meant to spur breakthrough innovations in auto efficiency and it could not be happening at a better time. Edison2 believes that platform efficiency (low weight, low aerodynamic drag) is the key, making any power source more efficient.  Electric vehicles could very well be a desirable future of the automobile, when the grid is no longer dependent on carbon, and an electric car built on Very Light Car principles would use less electricity.

In the meantime we simply need cars that use very little energy, yet are functional, safe and affordable. Like the Very Light Car.



Looking Ahead

The X Prize is only the beginning for Edison2. 

After all, the goal of the Progressive Automotive X Prize is to “inspire a new generation of viable, safe, and super fuel‐efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change.” An important goal to address our most pressing problem, and Edison2, we believe, is at the forefront of this new generation.

Our innovations in light-weighting and aerodynamics can change the way people think about and build cars. Elegantly simple and highly efficient, the Very Light Car doesn’t just set an example of the level of efficiency we need to aspire to, but is designed to be affordable enough to make a real difference: low mass and mainstream materials will result in an under $20,000 car.

Our hope is to expand our transportation technology business right here in Virginia. Last week Oliver visited two nearby former textile factories that are ideally located: near rail, supported by a machinist base, and adjacent to several colleges, a growing small city and an airport. And with infrastructure easily converted to a 2 mile test track.

The next few years are going to be very exciting at Edison2.



X Prize Update

Summer is approaching fast and with it the culmination of the Progressive Automotive X Prize. A year ago 111 teams from around the world entered this competition to build a clean, safe and quick 100 MPGe car; after last month’s Shakedown stage only 24 teams remain.

Of the 8 teams that remain in the mainstream class (4-wheel, 4-passenger cars with a range of at least 200 miles) only one, the Illinois-based Illuminati team, has an electric car. On the other hand, the alternative classes (2 passenger, 100 mile range) are dominated by electrics; of the 17 teams remaining, 11 have electric entries and only 2 use internal combustion engines. Range is proving a challenge for electric cars in the X Prize, just as it is in the larger world of production automobiles.

Next is the Knockout stage, beginning June 20, again at the Michigan International Speedway. Follow-up technical inspections of all entries will precede track testing for performance and efficiency, and cars must achieve 67 MPGe and demonstrate a range of 134 miles (67 for alternative classes) to qualify for the Finals stage in July.

Edison2, like all teams, has a lot of work to do to get ready for the next stage. But we think we are well-positioned as the contest enters its final months. We are the only team entered in both the mainstream and alternative classes – all 4 of our cars passed the Shakedown stage – and preliminary results showed us nearing 85 MPGe. We know we can do better with improvements in engine mapping, gearing and launches.

Exceeding 100 MPGe is a stiff challenge but a challenge we believe we can meet.



Natural Gas

Shale Gas Will Rock the World: Huge discoveries of natural gas promise to shake up the energy markets and geopolitics, said the Wall Street Journal in a recent feature. New technology allowing extraction of natural gas from shale will be a game-changer, hindering short-term development of energy alternatives but fueling power station expansion needed for electric cars. Not only is shale gas an abundant North American resource, but natural gas is the cleanest burning of all the hydrocarbon fuels.

While this article does not talk about the direct use of natural gas as an energy source for automobiles, Edison2 has given thought to this approach.

Based on our preliminary analysis we think natural gas can work well as an automobile fuel, but with drawbacks. There may be added wear on the valve train and rings in the absence of fluids passing over them. Compared to liquid hydrocarbons the efficiency and power output of natural gas is less. Natural gas has no charge cooling, and displaces a portion of the incoming air charge in the cylinder, resulting in about a 10% decrease in power output; because this decrease occurs without a proportional reduction in friction, efficiency suffers.

But natural gas has some advantages. It has excellent knock resistance at 120-137 octane. Natural gas has good lean-burn behavior and high EGR tolerance. Because there is no wall wetting, cold start and transient issues should disappear. We think we may be able to run the engine at higher boost levels with natural gas and make up for the reduced specific power output.

Of course the use of natural gas for automobiles is not a new idea, having been used since the 1800’s. In other parts of the world, such as South America and Asia, natural gas cars are commonplace, especially in flex-fuel configurations, while in the US natural gas is mostly found in commercial vehicles and fleets.  The Honda Civic GX is the only natural gas car available in the US.

Natural gas has other positives for the US. Use of natural gas for transportation decreases our reliance on imported oil and supports the domestic economy. Many homes already are connected to natural gas.  Combined with a small compressor this offers the possibility of filling up at home.

Combined with a car of the efficiency of the Very Light Car we could see a range of 1000 miles or more. Efficiency of this magnitude would minimize the need for new refueling infrastructure, dovetailing easily with the infrastructure already being built for trucks.

The question of which power source is the most efficient and least polluting has no single answer. All choices have advantages and drawbacks. Coming soon: why Edison2 chose E85 for the Very Light Car in the X Prize competition.