Welcome to the Track: Exploring Electric Cars with Jack and Bill

As we sit down with Jack, our host for today's episode, he's excited to share some thrilling news about electric cars. "So what kind of crazy fun thing do you have in store for me today?" he asks. The answer is that we're going to be talking about electric cars, which are one of the biggest changes to the auto industry we've seen in a really long time. Jack remarks, "These cars may be not quite as newfangled as you might think." To demonstrate this point, Bill and Linda Lilly bring out an old car that's fully electric - it was built in 1919.

The car is a beauty, with a silent motor powered by batteries. "Batteries? Yes, right here," Jack notes, pointing to the battery compartment. The Lillys explain that the principle of using batteries and an electric motor dates back over 100 years. They offer to take us for a ride in this vintage vehicle, which is a unique experience indeed. As we drive, Linda remarks, "A lot of people get a kick out of it. As we're driving down the road, they're going, 'She's sitting backwards.'" This is the Lillys' way of enjoying themselves while taking us on a fun ride.

After our test drive in the old car, Jack and Bill take us to explore some modern electric vehicles that have made significant improvements over the years. "We want to go check out how does an electric car drive differently than a regular car?" Jack asks. The answer lies in the performance of these cars, which is quite different from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. According to Jack, when you hit the gas pedal, everything happens right away - there's no transmission or clutch needed because all the power comes from the electric motor.

This makes driving an electric car a lot of fun and provides instant torque. In contrast, traditional gasoline cars have to rely on a series of steps to get moving. The Lillys also discuss how maintenance costs for electric cars are better than those for traditional vehicles. "There's less to maintain," Bill explains, noting that the placement of batteries has improved significantly over the years. Modern electric cars often have the entire floor of the vehicle dedicated to these batteries.

This design change not only increases interior space but also improves handling by keeping the weight of the car low and centered. The Lillys share another interesting feature of electric cars: regenerative braking, which captures energy normally lost in braking and converts it back into electricity to charge the battery. This makes driving an electric car more efficient and environmentally friendly.

As we continue our conversation with Jack, he shares some final thoughts on electric cars. One advantage is that owners no longer need to visit gas stations to refuel - they simply plug their car into a charging station or even charge up at home using a wall charger. This convenience comes with the added benefit of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing one's carbon footprint.

However, there are some downsides for consumers to consider. Electric cars can still be more expensive than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles upfront. Furthermore, there is currently limited information available about the longevity of electric car batteries - it's unclear when they will need replacement and at what cost this might incur. Another concern is the resale value of these vehicles; as with any new technology, there are potential risks associated with their eventual disposal.

Despite these challenges, Jack remains optimistic about the future of electric cars. As we conclude our conversation, he invites us to join him for lunch, and we can't help but feel excited about the possibilities that this emerging technology holds. With its unique blend of convenience, performance, and environmental benefits, electric cars are sure to revolutionize the way we think about transportation in the years to come.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enJake.Jack, how are you?What's going on, man?Welcome back to the track.Thank you so much.So what kind of crazyfun thing do youhave in store for me today?So the word of theday is electric.All right.We're going to be talkingabout electric cars.And this is kind ofan exciting time.It's one of the biggestchanges to the auto industrywe've seen in areally long time.But you know what?These cars may be not quite asnewfangled as you might think.Take a look.Is that a time machine?No.That's actually a car thatthey had about 100 years ago,fully electric.Wow.It's a beauty too.Listen to how silentthis thing is.So this is Bill and Linda Lilly.Nice to see you.So, Bill, how old is this car?Well, this is 100 years old.This was originallybuilt in 1919.Modified, improved,and sold again in 1931.Bill, I didn't hear an enginewhen you were coming over.Does this car evenhave an engine?Not really.It has a motor, and it hasbatteries that power the motor.Batteries?Yes, right here.Here and in the back.It's old batteries, Jake.Yeah.Well, you know what?The amazing thing is isthat what we're seeing herein this old electric car, it'sbasically the same principlethat you're seeing in thesemodern futuristic vehiclesthat we have here too.I mean, just likeyou say, you'vegot batteries andan electric motor.It's very, very simple.And they've been doingit for over 100 years.Jack, would you like togo for a ride with us?I thought you'dnever ask, Linda.Thank you.Now how fast can acar like this go?Oh, it's pretty much limitedto maybe the high 20s.The important thing withthis car was conversation.That's why I'msitting backwards.A lot of people geta kick out of it.As we're driving downthe road, they're going,she's sitting backwards.It's almost likewe're having tea here.Exactly.Wow.This is fantastic.So what did you think?Jake, that was anincredible experience.I feel like I went back in time.Well, welcome backto the present.And now we're goingto go to the future.As you might imagine, overthe the last 100 years,they've made a few improvements.You want to go check on that?Absolutely.Let's do it.So how does an electriccar drive differentlythan a regular car?Well, if you're the driver, notreally a whole lot different.I mean, it's not going to belike a completely differentthing.But actually, interms of performance,it's very different.You have all this torqueof this all electric motor,which means a lot ofpower happens right away.Think about this.You've got the normalgas engine, right?Mm-hmm.If you want to go, a lot ofthings have to happen, right?I mean, there's a transmission.There might be a clutch.There might be allthese different things.When you are in an electriccar, you hit the gas--Whoa.--it goes right away.Got it.Everything is immediate.And actually, it's alot of fun to drive.Now what about maintenancecosts for a car like this?It's better.It's cheaper.There's less to maintain.And one of the thingsthat has reallymade electric cars really muchbetter in the last few yearsis they figured out whereto put the batteries.So remember the old car?There was a front.It was all filled withthese big batteries.Yeah.Well, it's different now.So what a lot of thesenew cars are doingis the entire floor ofthe vehicle is a battery.It's a giant battery.Oh, OK.So now, you have all of theinterior space for people.So spacious.Exactly.And there's a whole bunch ofother advantages about havingthat battery really low.Cars actually handle betterbecause all of that weightis down low, so you goaround a corner like that.I asked Jake if electric carshave any other advantagesover a traditional gas vehicle.And he told me about one featuremany people are aware of.If you're in a normal carand you want to slow it down,what do you do?You press the brake.You press the brakes.And what does that do?It stops the car.It stops the car.And the way itdoes it is actuallyturning off the energythat's making you goand turning it into heat.Electric cars recapture energynormally lost in brakingand send that tothe car's batteries.This is calledregenerative breakingand uses the car's generatorto help slow the car down.Sadly, all fun test driveseventually come to an end.So one of the thingsthat people reallylike about electric cars--Yeah?--you never have to goto a gas station anymore.Cool.Plug it in, and youcan have a home chargerright in your garage.You could plug inyour car yourselfand charge up while you sleep.But when you'redriving, where canyou find thesecharging stations?Generally, they'renot at gas stations.They're at different places.So it might be like at a reststop or something like that.In fact, a lot of the cars,they'll have like a GPS systemand they'll, havemaps and they'llshow you where they are.And if you'retaking a long trip,it may actuallysuggest to you, well,you need to stop here andcharge up along the way.Are there any downsidesfor consumers?There are.First of all, they still do costa bit more than gasoline cars.Second, what aboutlongevity of these vehicles?Right.Truly, we don't knowwhen these vehiclesare 10 years old or more what itmeans in terms of the battery.Do you have to replace it?What's the cost going to be?And also, what's theresale value going to be?Hey.Jake, look.It's Bill and Linda.Hey, guys.Hey.Jack, which one ofthose two electric carsyou like the best?Well, that's kind ofhard to decide, Bill.I really like both cars.Hey, if you come withus, you can wear my hat.Jake?I got no hat for you, Jack.Then that does it.Thanks, Bill.I could get used to this.Hey, Jack.So where are we headed off to?Let's do lunch.Oh, that soundslike a lot of fun.\n"