Electric-Based Transportation Means

Low-cost and extremely compact electric-based transportation vehicles will be rolling out through 2012. The electric-based vehicles summarized in Table 4.1 will change the way we drive. These electric-based vehicles offer the lowest transportation 

Ultra-Compact Transport Vehicles for City and Short-Distance 

Vehicle Type Specifications Advantages Drawbacks Models Price (US ) 

PTVs Battery powered, two-seater Easy to navigate and easy to park Limited space Duo, Tango 23,000- 25,000 

Electric cars Piug in and drive 0.02 to 0.03/miie Recharge after 50 to 100 miles Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt 25,000- 30,000 

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The widespread availabiHty of electrical energy completely transformed modem society and enabled a host of breakthroughs in manufacturing, medical science, communications, constmction, education, and transportation. Centralized fossil fuel-powered, steam-turbine-based power plants remain the dominant means of electricity production. However, hydropower faciHties such as the 1900-MW Hoover Dam Power Project located on the Arizona—Nevada border, commissioned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation during the 1930s, have also made significant contributions. 

The worst hazard scenarios (excessive temperature and pressure rise accompanied by emission of toxic substances) must be worked out based upon calorimetric measurements (e.g. means to reduce hazards by using the inherent safety concept or Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC) and protection measures must be considered. If handling hazardous materials is considered too risky, procedures for generation of the hazardous reactants in situ in the reactor might be developed. Micro-reactor technology could also be an option. Completeness of the data on flammability, explosivity, (auto)ignition, static electricity, safe levels of exposure, environmental protection, transportation, etc. must be checked. Incompatibility of materials to be treated in a plant must be determined. 

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