Clean Ride Electric Vehicles FAQ

FAQ's

Don’t electric cars just shift the pollution to the power plant?
No. It's much easier to clean up one large stationary smokestack than millions of tiny mobile ones. In fact, where power is generated primarily from hydro sources,
electric vehicles are 98%-99.9% cleaner than equivalent internal combustion vehicles. Even where power comes primarily from coal, electric vehicles are 55%-92%
cleaner, depending on which gases you are measuring. And by the way, if you want a fair comparison to gas cars, you really need to include the pollution from the oil
refineries, tanker ships, and tanker trucks.

Are Electric Vehicles expensive to operate?
No. Electric vehicles typically cost less than 5 cents/mile to operate. They are nearly maintenance free (no smog checks, oil changes, or tune-ups) and can provide
years and years of clean transportation service.

Do batteries pollute landfills?
The Battery Council International reports that 93% of all battery lead is recycled. A higher recycling rate than newspapers (55%) or aluminum cans (42%). Typical new
lead-acid batteries contain 60-80% recycled lead and plastic. In fact batteries are one of the most highly recycled products in the country. When you buy a new battery,
the dealer will ask for your old ones in trade, or you will be charged a "core charge" if you don't turn them in.

How many batteries does it have?
Our basic models use between 6 and 12 12-volt batteries. Depending on the range and performance you require, more batteries can be added to suit your needs.

How long does it take to recharge the car?
Charging time on 120VAC 20 amp outlet (an ordinary household outlet) is usually 8-10 hours (over night). You can drive your Clean Ride for your daily needs, and get a
full recharge at home overnight, using surplus (low-cost) electricity. You could also "top off" your car at work and keep the batteries as charged as possible.

How long do the batteries last?
The batteries will last about three years before needing replacement. An entire pack typically costs $1,000-$1,200. These are deep discharge traction batteries that are
designed to power a vehicle. Their internal construction is more robust than a starting battery in a gas car, or a deep cycle or RV battery. How long the pack lasts
depends on how it is treated. Batteries that are left sitting unused for long periods, or left sitting partially discharged, will have a shorter life span. The best thing you
can do to your battery pack is to drive it every day and charge it every night.

How far will a Clean Ride go?
Our basic model has a range of about 40 miles, depending on the terrain, the speed you drive it and the weather. Upgrades to enhance the car’s performance can be
easily designed into your custom Clean Ride. Contact us today to discuss your situation and we will design a Clean Ride to suit your needs.

How fast can they go?
Top speed is determined by the amount of voltage applied to the motor, and the gearing of the transmission. Electric vehicles cover the full range of speed
performance. There are neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) that only get up to 25 mph. Our standard Clean Ride can reach speeds of 45-55 mph. A future high
performance version may be able to reach speeds of 60 mph, or even more.

What happens if I run out of electricity?
All our vehicles are equipped with a state-of-charge gauges, like a gas gauge, so you always know how much energy you have left. Also, an electric vehicle doesn't’ run
out of energy all at once, like a gas car does. Instead, as you reach the last portion of charge, you will begin to notice a slight sluggishness. This will be noticeable
sooner on uphills, but not until later if your drive is flat. It will gradually increase over several miles.

Can Electric Vehicles climb hills?
Electric motors have a lot of torque (power). They can climb hills, even steep ones. The trade-off is range. The more hills, or steeper hills, that you climb, the less range
you will have before you need to recharge. Another issue is duration of climb. A long continuous climb puts a lot of stress on components, primarily the motor and
speed controller.

What if I want to take a long trip?
At this time, Electric Vehicles are not suited for long distance travel. Each kind of vehicle has its own niche. A minivan can't match a sports car for handling, but a sports
car can't carry a whole family on a camping trip. An EV is perfect for the kind of local driving most people do most of the time. Most households also have more than one
vehicle. Long trips are times to get out the other car. Even if you don't have a second car, renting one for the occasional trip can be more affordable than owning one.

What kind of maintenance does an EV need?
Very little. That's part of the beauty of it. Check the batteries once a month or so to be sure they don't need water, and the connections are clean and tight. Keep your
tires properly inflated for good performance. Maintain the tires, brakes, and suspension as you normally would. Change the brushes on the motor (a minor operation)
at about 80,000 miles. That's it.

How do I get insurance for my electric conversion?
Any major insurance company will offer liability coverage. If your agent says he can't do it, he either doesn't know how or doesn't want to. Find another agent. Comp &
collision is harder, because there are no blue book values. You may need to get the car appraised by an appraiser who specializes in things like hot rods or
restorations. Often, the insurance company will accept your receipts for the cost of conversion, or a letter from your conversion kit provider, to establish a value. There
are also various web sites that offer used conversions for sale, which can help establish a comparable value for the car for insurance purposes.

Are there special requirements for registering my electric vehicle?
This will vary from state to state. It's best to check with local EV owners who have been through the process first. You may need to get your title modified to reflect "E"
(for electric) under "Fuel Type" to exempt you from smog inspections.

What will happen in an accident when driving an EV?
As with any car, this depends on how well it was designed and built. If batteries are properly enclosed and contained, they will not "fly around" or crush the passenger
compartment. Battery acid is not the terrible danger many people think. It is a very dilute solution. It does not do harm if washed off reasonably soon after contact. If this
acid got in your eyes or mouth it would burn, but so would gasoline. Also, it is contained in many small containers (cells) in the car, with only a little fluid in each one.
You would have to cut the pack in half to have an extensive spill.

Learn more and see an electric car in action.