The Quiet Revolution

Electric motors are impressively simple and efficient. Whereas even the most modern diesel engine might have an efficiency of no more than 45 %, a modern DC motor can achieve a figure as high as 98 %. This is accompanied by extremely high torque, excellent power-to-weight ratio, good reliability and comparatively low cost. Following extraordinary developments in the field of electric model aircraft, the special qualities of DC motors have also led to their increasing use in hybrid vehicles. Unfortunately, the perfect mobile power source still needs to be invented before the steam-engine-inspired internal combustion engine can finally be consigned to the museum.