Electric dragster
Encyclopedia
An electric dragster is a drag racing
vehicle which contains an electric propulsion system which is powered by batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors (ultracapacitors), and sometimes they include a combustion engine to recharge their ESS (Energy Storage
Systems).
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common because electric propulsion systems have recently been gaining recognition as a replacement for gasoline
and diesel powered propulsion systems. They are being considered as replacements for gasoline and diesel powered vehicles for many reasons, including the high efficiency of electric motors, their reliability, as well as their torque curves which can be achieved without a costly transmission. The torque characteristics of electric motors are attractive because they produce large amounts of torque, and they start producing most of it at zero RPM.
One of the most significant problems which affect electric vehicle performance is the power density of their energy storage systems (energy density is a contributing factor too). Batteries
and supercapacitors especially have relatively low energy densities compared to liquid fuels such as gasoline. Associated increases in mass can result in slower acceleration when compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle with similar power and weight characteristics. Increased mass can also increase braking distances and pitching. Offsetting these disadvantages is the benefit that batteries in an electric dragster can be evenly placed along the floor to keep the centre of mass low.
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
vehicle which contains an electric propulsion system which is powered by batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors (ultracapacitors), and sometimes they include a combustion engine to recharge their ESS (Energy Storage
Energy storage
Energy storage is accomplished by devices or physical media that store some form of energy to perform some useful operation at a later time. A device that stores energy is sometimes called an accumulator....
Systems).
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common because electric propulsion systems have recently been gaining recognition as a replacement for gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
and diesel powered propulsion systems. They are being considered as replacements for gasoline and diesel powered vehicles for many reasons, including the high efficiency of electric motors, their reliability, as well as their torque curves which can be achieved without a costly transmission. The torque characteristics of electric motors are attractive because they produce large amounts of torque, and they start producing most of it at zero RPM.
One of the most significant problems which affect electric vehicle performance is the power density of their energy storage systems (energy density is a contributing factor too). Batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
and supercapacitors especially have relatively low energy densities compared to liquid fuels such as gasoline. Associated increases in mass can result in slower acceleration when compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle with similar power and weight characteristics. Increased mass can also increase braking distances and pitching. Offsetting these disadvantages is the benefit that batteries in an electric dragster can be evenly placed along the floor to keep the centre of mass low.