Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

PUBLISHER'S LETTER Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus. Editor Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Robert Flynn Darren Yates Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Advertising Manager Paul Buchtmann (02) 979 5644 Mobile: (018) 28 5532 Victorian Representative Hugh Anderson Pty Ltd (formerly McDonald Woodside & Associates Pty Ltd), 119 Market St, South Melbourne, Vic 3205. Phone (03) 696 5411. Contact: Ian McDonald. Electric vehicles: the way of the future? We haven't heard much about electric vehicles in the last few years have we? You'd be forgiven for thinking that the topic was dead and that new developments were few and far between but that is not really the case. In fact, the cars running in the annual Solar Challenge are electric vehicles with the addition of solar panels on the roof. The average speeds being achieved by these vehicles are surprisingly high - something that augurs well for the future. Over the next few issues of SILICON CHIP we are going to have a fresh look at the subject of electric vehicles, with the first article appearing this month. If the price of fuel continues to rise over the next few years, there will be increasing interest in electric cars. Ultimately, electric cars could replace most conventional cars, especially if they are helped along by government legislation. This could well happen if governments make concerted moves to reduce the nation's carbon dioxide emissions. Some of the technology which will be used in future electric cars will possibly come from the exotic motors presently being used in radio controlled electric model aircraft. We just touched on this subject in Bob Young's Remote Control column in the November 1990 issue. And some of the technology could also be a development of that now being used in modern electric locomotives with 3-phase motors and solid state control, as described in some of the later episodes of The Evolution of Electric Railways. Whatever the technology used and whatever form electric vehicles finally take, we think they will be a welcome innovation on Australia's roads. They won't produce lots of pollution when they're stuck in traffic and with the combined effect of regenerative braking and solar cell battery charging, their energy requirements should be much lower than existing conventional vehicles. "What about air-conditioning?", I hear some of you ask. Well maybe, we'll have that too. In the meantime, read the article on electric vehicles in this issue. Leo Simpson Regular Contributors Brendan Akhu.rst Jennifer Bonnitcha, B.A. Garry Cratt, VK2YBX John Hill Jim Lawler, MTETIA Bryan Maher, M.E., B.Sc. Jim Yalden, VK2YGY Bob Young Photography Glen Cameron Editorial Advisory Panel Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Norman Marks Steve Payor, B.Sc., B.E. SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. All material copyright©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. Printing: Magazine Printers Pty Ltd, Rozelle, NSW 2039; Macquarie Print, Dubbo, NSW 2830. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $42 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, refer to the subscription page in this issue. Liability: Devices or circuits described in SILICON CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 39, 5 Ponderosa Pde, Warriewood, NSW 2102. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax (02) 979 6503. ISSN 1030-2662 JANUARY 1991 3