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Old June 24th 09, 08:36 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Mike the Strike
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Posts: 952
Default Wonder if it can tow?

A colleague involved in the development of electric cars many years
ago described the performance as:

1. Take the smallest engine you can find (the Fiat 500 was often
mentioned)

2. Install a one liter gas tank.

3. Load a ton of lead in the trunk

4. Drive away slowly and don't go too far!

Modern batteries may have improved that to a two liter gas tank and
half a ton of lead, but it's still hard to get the energy density you
find in oil products.

The only positive benefit is the electric motor still puts out full
power at higher density altitudes (even if the prop doesn't).

Mike