About Electric Vehicles

 

Why develop electric vehicles?

They are highly efficient and in the future will run on natural energy such as solar cells. Until now they have been regarded as poor performers, but SIM-Drive shows they can rival conventional vehicles in terms of acceleration, space, and comfort.

 

In what way are electric vehicles different from hybrid, diesel, and hydrogen vehicles?

Automobiles powered by gasoline, diesel, and compressed natural gas are all internal combustion vehicles. Hybrid vehicles using the parallel system adopted by most hybrid cars have electric motors to assist their internal combustion engines.

Electric vehicles include those powered by batteries (electric vehicles in the narrow sense), those that run on electricity from fuel cells (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles), and those that use electricity from an engine-type generator (series hybrids). We believe the time is coming when electric vehicles will demonstrate their advantages in terms of efficiency, technological and infrastructural simplicity, performance, and capabilities.

 

What initiatives are taking place around the world, and how fast is the technology being adopted?

Interest in electric vehicles is increasing rapidly due to oil price hikes and the weak automobile market. Full-scale development and wider adoption is imminent.

 

What are Japan's technical advantages?

Japan has the most advanced technology for lithium-ion batteries and neodymium motor magnets, which are key components.
Electric cars converted from gasoline vehicles are capable of much the same performance as the original model.

 

What infrastructure is required?

Electric vehicles can be recharged overnight at home or at rapid recharging stations. Regular 100-volt domestic power supply is sufficient. Rapid rechargers are about the size of a gym locker. In the future they will be installed in each parking space in motorway service areas.

 

What about repairs?

There are few consumable parts other than tires and window washer liquid. In the event that electric components break down, the entire faulty unit is likely to be replaced.

 

Why are electric vehicles not being widely adopted now?

The biggest problem is striking a balance between performance and price.

 

How can obstacles to wider adoption be overcome?

By quickly initiating mass production of cars that have been designed as electric vehicles from the ground up, rather than those converted from gasoline vehicles.