1947 Tama EV (Japanese electric car)

The Tama EV (Electric Vehicle) was a pioneering Japanese electric car developed in the late 1940s by Tokyo Electric Cars Company, which later became part of Nissan Motor Company. Here's an overview:

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Background

• Era: Post-World War II (1947)
• Context: Japan faced significant fuel shortages after the war, making electric vehicles an appealing alternative to gasoline-powered cars.
• Purpose: The Tama EV was designed to provide an efficient and reliable transportation solution during a period when resources were scarce.

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Key Features

1. Battery System:

   • The Tama EV was powered by a rechargeable lead-acid battery.
   • It had a range of approximately 65 km (40 miles) on a single charge, which was notable for its time.
   • The top speed was around 35 km/h (22 mph).

2. Design:

   • It came in two main body types:
     • Passenger car: A small, boxy sedan-style vehicle.
     • Utility vehicle: A compact truck for transporting goods.
   • The design prioritized functionality and cost-effectiveness.

3. Construction:

   • Compact and lightweight, the Tama EV used simple materials available in post-war Japan.

4. Charging:

   • Charging took about 8 hours, reflecting the limitations of technology at the time.

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Significance

1. Environmental Perspective:

   • The Tama EV was one of the earliest electric vehicles in the world, showcasing Japan's innovative spirit in sustainable transportation.

2. Engineering Legacy:

   • It laid the groundwork for the development of electric vehicles by companies like Nissan, which later introduced models such as the Nissan Leaf, one of the most successful EVs globally.

3. Cultural Impact:

   • The Tama EV reflected the resilience and ingenuity of post-war Japan, addressing critical challenges with creativity.

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Historical Preservation

• The Tama EV is celebrated as an important milestone in automotive history.
• Preserved models of the Tama EV are displayed in automotive museums in Japan, highlighting its contribution to the evolution of electric mobility.

1938 Dymaxion Car

The Dymaxion car was a concept car designed by Buckminster Fuller in 1933. Fuller, born in 1895, was best known for his geodesic domes. The word “dymaxion” was a word used by Fuller for several of his inventions. Fuller took the words dynamic, maximum and tension and combined them into “dymaxion.”

The Dymaxion's aerodynamic bodywork was designed for increased fuel efficiency and top speed, and its platform featured a lightweight hinged chassis, rear-mounted V8 engine, front-wheel drive (a rare RF layout), and three wheels. With steering via its third wheel at the rear (capable of 90° steering lock), the vehicle could steer itself in a tight circle, often causing a sensation. Fuller noted severe limitations in its handling, especially at high speed or in high wind, due to its rear-wheel steering (highly unsuitable for anything but low speeds) and the limited understanding of the effects of lift and turbulence on automobile bodies in that era – allowing only trained staff to drive the car and saying it "was an invention that could not be made available to the general public without considerable improvements."Shortly after its launch, a prototype crashed after being hit by another car, killing the Dymaxion's driver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymaxion_car
http://www.automotivereport.net/rear-viThe story of the Dymaxion begins in 1933 with Buckminster and culminates in 2015 with Jeff Lane and the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tenn.

The building of the original and first Dymaxion began in 1933. The car was hand-built, as it was a prototype, and was to be displayed at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair. On its way to the fair on Oct. 17, 1933, the Dymaxion was hit by another car and flipped over. It resulted in the death of the driver and seriously injuring the two passengers. The vehicle that hit the Dymaxion was driven by a local politician, and his car was immediately removed from the accident scene. The reports in the press the next day lay the blame on the Dymaxion’s unconventional design and the fact it had two wheels in the front and one in the rear that acted as a rudder.

Thanks ew/1938-dymaxion/

Hybrid Cars

Infographic: How Does a Hybrid Car Engine Actually Work?

Rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, the Toyota Prius has long been one of the most popular hybrid cars in the United States. We know about hybrid cars and their impressive sales over the past several years, but how do they actually work? Just what is it inside of that car that allows it to get much better mileage -- something we all want, especially in the summer when gas prices, it seems, are always climbing -- than traditional vehicles?

AutoMD has put together the infographic embedded below in an attempt to help shed a little light on how hybrid engines function. Focusing on the third generation of the Toyota Prius, which debuted in 2010, AutoMD covers the various components and explains how they all work together.

Infographics are always a bit of a hodgepodge of statistics culled from a variety of sources. Here, we sort through the clutter and pull out some of our favourite facts and figures:

• The price of gas is a major reason why sales of green cars, including hybrids, are expected to increase four times by 2016.
• Seventy-five per cent of those who say they would consider a hybrid car cite lower fuel costs as the main reason.
• The Toyota Prius, the world's most popular hybrid car, uses a combination of an internal combustion engine and a battery-electric drive system to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions.
• When pulling away from a stop, the electric motor powers the car, drawing on the battery for power. Up to 15 mph, the vehicle uses only the electric motor for power. This is one of the reasons why hybrids are more efficient during city driving than on the highway.
• During normal cruising, only the gasoline engine is used because this is when it is most efficient. During cruising, the gasoline engine can also power the generator, which produces electricity and stores it in the batteries for later use.
• During heavy acceleration, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor work together to increase power to the wheels. The joint effort of the engine and motor working together is only possible because of the power-split transmission, which combines the torque that each one puts out. At this time, the gasoline engine also powers the generator. The electric motor uses electricity from the battery and the generator as needed.
• The Prius reaches 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway.
• The Toyota Prius emits 71 per cent less CO2 than a Hummer H3, and 20 per cent less methane gas than an adult sheep.
• The Volkswagen diesel L1 concept car is due to hit the market in 2013 and will be the most fuel-efficient hybrid. The L1 could make it from New York City to Los Angeles on just 11.8 gallons of fuel. It can travel 100 km on a single litre of fuel, which translates to 235 mpg. 
• thanks http://www.theatlantic.com/technology