UK Petrol Retailers Association suggests solar-powered EV stations
We'd imagine that the UK Petrol Retailers Association would have a vested interest in making the business model of the tried-and-true gas station survive. So, we aren't all that surprised to read about the group's suggestion that future gas stations should carry solar roofs that feed power into electricity dispensers, especially now that the Prime Minister has pledged large sums of money for EV development. The alternative, of course, would be to charge your electric car's battery right at home while it's not being used. If you wanted to go renewable, you could set up your own solar or wind-powered charging station right in your garage. Still, there are a number of individuals who don't have a place to store their cars, let alone its associated charging gear, so the idea of stand-alone charging stations definitely has some merit. Whether or not these solar stations deserve any government help is another matter entirely.
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 10:56AM (11/08/2008)
If I were in u.k i would trust windmill more then solar panels for clean unpredictable electricity and i wouldn't trust goverment and petrol retailor a single second for building efficient and real ev charging stations.
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John Rowell 11:34PM (11/08/2008)
Solar cells look so gorgeous up close, sparkly like blue sapphires.
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why not the LS2LS7? 3:57AM (11/09/2008)
Even in Arizona, covering the entire area of a gas station with solar panels would only produce enough power to "fill" perhaps 3 dozen cars a day.
It's simple math. Why don't people bother doing it before coming up with this nonsense?
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Brn 10:00AM (11/10/2008)
Three dozen or three? I'd be surprised if it were the former. Also, how long would a "fill" take? Hours?
ed 7:37AM (11/09/2008)
That may be true, but its still 3 dozen cars running on pollution free energy. I dont think it is intended to be the sole power source, unless they want to trade for just an hour each day..
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Paul 11:27AM (11/11/2008)
I'm new at this. I am wondering about how all of you would think, about electric cars. First, the basic principle of motion. Do we not have cars today and yesterday, that used gas to move the car and had a generator to produce volts to a battery and stored that voltage. The same principle pertains to a self winding watch, you shake it and it runs. Suppose you had a large battery storage area, a generator off each axle, and a solar roof built into the top of the car, thus giving the car its own power. Centrifical force could add to the forward momentum of the car like a watch. Any feedback? I'm curious as to why nobody thinks simple.
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