About this episode
This episode discusses advancements in battery technology and the differences between electric and internal-combustion vehicles.
This week we talk about BYD, Tesla, and the Blade Battery 2.0. We also discuss EVs, internal-combustion engines, and autonomous vehicles. Recommended Book: Blank Space by W. David Marx Transcript Petroleum-powered vehicles, cars and trucks and SUVs of the kind that have become the standard since the mid-20th century, work by mixing fuel that you put in the tank when you fill up at the gas station with air, in the engine, and then creating a controlled explosion—in modern vehicles using what’s called a four-stroke combustion cycle of intake, compression, combustion, then exhaust—in order to move pistons which, in turn generate mechanical power by transferring that movement to the vehicle’s wheels. An electric vehicle, in contrast, functions by using electricity from a battery pack to power an electric motor. So rather than needing fuel to combust, which then moves pistons which then moves the wheels, EVs are a straighter-shot with less conversion of energy necessary, electricity powering the motor which powers the wheels. That simpler setup comes with many advantages, and that difference in the conversion of energy is a big one. Because most of the energy injected into the EV’s…
People in this episode
Host: Colin Wright
Topics covered
- electric vehicles
- batteries
- autonomous vehicles
- internal-combustion engines
- energy conversion
Keywords
- BYD
- Tesla
- Blade Battery 2.0
- electric vehicles
- internal-combustion engines
- autonomous vehicles
- energy conversion
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BYD, Tesla
Products: Blade Battery 2.0
Books & works: Blank Space
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