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This is the Kodak Moment for the Auto Industry

Plug-In Drivers Not Missin' the Piston Electric vehicles are here to stay. Their market acceptance is currently small but growing...

Friday, December 31, 2010

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED: "over half of the oil we use is imported (57%), and our dependence will increase as we use up domestic resources. Most of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in the Middle East, and about two-thirds are controlled by OPEC members. Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession. We may never eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand."

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED: "1. EVs will reduce U.S. oil dependence: Today, over half of the oil we use is imported (57%), and our dependence will increase as we use up domestic resources. Most of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in the Middle East, and about two-thirds are controlled by OPEC members. Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession. We may never eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand."

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED

Five Reasons to Buy An Electric Car > GED: "• The average car produced in North America has 50-55 pounds of copper in it. In an electric car, that amount will triple – to 150-180 pounds.

• More than two-thirds of the copper will be found in car’s wiring harness and electrical components.

• Copper has the highest conductivity of any metal that can be practically used for conveying electricity.

• Copper is an important natural resource and there’s no danger of running out of it. According to US Geological Survey (USGS), worldwide resources of this valuable metal exceed 3 billion metric tons (more than 6.5 trillion pounds), of which only about 12% has been mined throughout history. Nearly all of this is still in circulation because copper’s recycling rate is higher than that of any engineering metal."

Did GM make the Chevrolet Volt too different from the Prius? - Dec. 9, 2010

Did GM make the Chevrolet Volt too different from the Prius? - Dec. 9, 2010: "That's a steep price. In effect, Volt drivers are paying more than $10,000 for an extra 30 miles of EV range.

While some GM'ers are predicting a substantial price reduction for the Volt in future years as volumes increase, the Council is not optimistic.

'Battery technology has been developing rapidly, but steep declines in cost do not appear likely over the next couple of decades because lithium-ion batteries are already produced in large quantities for cell phones and laptop computers,' the Council says."

Did GM make the Chevrolet Volt too different from the Prius? - Dec. 9, 2010

Did GM make the Chevrolet Volt too different from the Prius? - Dec. 9, 2010: "Toyota brought out the less ambitious but more commercial Prius, a gas-electric hybrid, in 1999 and made it a huge public relations success. 'I was getting sick of it,' vice chairman Bob Lutz said to the Detroit News."

Ultimate electric car challenge: dead batteries - Dec. 20, 2010

Ultimate electric car challenge: dead batteries - Dec. 20, 2010: "Think of it as 'work, retirement and death.'

'Work' means running a car, and that's a tough life. Even so, the batteries in electric cars are expected to last about a decade"

Ultimate electric car challenge: dead batteries - Dec. 20, 2010

Ultimate electric car challenge: dead batteries - Dec. 20, 2010: "Lithium batteries just don't use as much of the rare and valuable metals found in some other types of batteries."

Monday, December 27, 2010

Volt battery life affected by hot weather, but 10 years means 10 years — Autoblog Green

Volt battery life affected by hot weather, but 10 years means 10 years — Autoblog Green

"During an information-heavy battery and technology update on the Chevy Volt's progress recently, GM said the following about the 16 kWh battery pack in the plug-in car:

'The biggest challenge in testing is hot-weather storage of the vehicle. Currently, ten years of battery life is the norm, but some people could get more battery life depending on the climate where they live and their driving conditions.

We understand that outside temperatures can have a big impact on how a battery operates and will affect the Volt as well, but the good news for Volt fans is that Green Car Advisor got it wrong. They said that hot weather Volt owners will get less than ten years of life from the pack, saying Volts in 'many parts of the western and southern U.S.' would not get 'the normal 10-year life of the battery.' Not true, says GM, which is confident that everyone will get 10 years from the pack. GM's hybrid and battery technology communication spokesman Brian Corbett told AutoblogGreen that, 'in more moderate areas of the country, battery performance could last beyond 10 years. 10 years is our minimum target life for everybody.'

[Source: GM via Green Car Advisor]"

We’ve always had cars that couldn’t go the distance | Bill Hall - The News Tribune

We’ve always had cars that couldn’t go the distance | Bill Hall - The News Tribune: "electric cars don’t scare me with their limitation of 100 miles"

2011 Nissan Leaf | Tucson

2011 Nissan Leaf | Tucson: "600-pound laminated lithium-ion battery made up in a series of four cells to a module, and 48 modules, for a total of 192 batteries in the pack"

2011 Nissan Leaf | Tucson

2011 Nissan Leaf | Tucson: "Low Emission Automobile of the Future" - That is not how I heard it.

2011 Nissan Leaf - KansasCity.com

2011 Nissan Leaf - KansasCity.com: "Environmental Protection Agency classifies the Leaf as a midsize car because of its interior volume, but Nissan considers it a compact. It rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, has decent trunk space and room for five."

2011 Nissan Leaf - KansasCity.com

2011 Nissan Leaf - KansasCity.com: "72 percent of typical consumers drive fewer than 50 miles a day during the week, and two-thirds of them drive fewer than 50 miles on a weekend."

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Mobile electric car charging stations called Angel Car unveiled in Europe - SlashGear

Mobile electric car charging stations called Angel Car unveiled in Europe - SlashGear

Chevy Volt Versus Nissan Leaf: Let the Race Begin - BusinessWeek

Chevy Volt Versus Nissan Leaf: Let the Race Begin - BusinessWeek

Electric Vehicles and the Smart Grid: Charging Forward! - Scott Lang, Chairman, President & CEO; SilverSpring Networks - Electric Energy Online

Electric Vehicles and the Smart Grid: Charging Forward! - Scott Lang, Chairman, President & CEO; SilverSpring Networks - Electric Energy Online

Electric Vehicles & Demand Response: How Utilities Are Beginning to Prepare - Jeff Meyers, Smart Grid Executive; Telvent - Electric Energy Online

Electric Vehicles & Demand Response: How Utilities Are Beginning to Prepare - Jeff Meyers, Smart Grid Executive; Telvent - Electric Energy Online

Smith Electric Vehicles selling electric trucks to the U.S. Marines - National Green Transportation | Examiner.com

Smith Electric Vehicles selling electric trucks to the U.S. Marines - National Green Transportation | Examiner.com

Electric cars flooding the market in 2012 - Dec. 8, 2010

Electric cars flooding the market in 2012 - Dec. 8, 2010: "If you want to buy an electric car today, good luck, it's slim pickins. But fast forward three years and you could be facing more plug-in choices than you'll know what to do with."

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Electric vehicles charging into U.S. - San Antonio Express-News

Electric vehicles charging into U.S. - San Antonio Express-News: "Korthof said. “Once you live with an electric car, you realize the range anxiety thing is a crock. We have never run out of juice.”

And “once you start driving an electric vehicle, you become radicalized,” he said. “You really enjoy that you don't have to stop at gas stations anymore.”"

Toyota Adopts Tesla Laptop Strategy for Electric Cars - BusinessWeek

Toyota Adopts Tesla Laptop Strategy for Electric Cars - BusinessWeek

Wave of electric vehicles gaining momentum

Wave of electric vehicles gaining momentum: "The latest wave of all-electric vehicles is trickling into the market, sparking excitement among green-power enthusiasts and auto tech junkies. On Friday night, Washington's first all-electric Nissan Leaf was delivered to a Seattle dealership. Oregon's first Leaf hit the road last week. Nissan is the first large automaker to jump into the all-electric market, launching the Leaf in California earlier this year."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

What Gasoline Really Costs Us

What Gasoline Really Costs Us via progress.org

What Gasoline Really Costs Us
energy policy gasoline

The Real Price Of Gas

Americans deserve freedom. But terrorists, oil corporations, and politicians seem determined to keep absorbing citizens' money in a wide variety of ways.Here is a summary of a new report from the International Center for Technology Assessment.

This report by the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) identifies and quantifies the many external costs of using motor vehicles and the internal combustion engine that are not directly reflected in the retail price Americans pay for gasoline. These are costs that consumers pay indirectly by way of increased taxes, insurance costs, and retail prices in other sectors.
The report divides the external costs of gasoline usage into five primary areas: (1) Tax Subsidization of the Oil Industry; (2) Government Program Subsidies; (3) Protection Costs Involved in Oil Shipment and Motor Vehicle Services; (4) Environmental, Health, and Social Costs of Gasoline Usage; and (5) Other Important Externalities of Motor Vehicle Use. Together, these external costs total $558.7 billion to $1.69 trillion per year, which, when added to the retail price of gasoline, result in a per gallon price of $5.60 to $15.14.

TAX SUBSIDIES

The federal government provides the oil industry with numerous tax breaks designed to ensure that domestic companies can compete with international producers and that gasoline remains cheap for American consumers. Federal tax breaks that directly benefit oil companies include: the Percentage Depletion Allowance (a subsidy of $784 million to $1 billion per year), the Nonconventional Fuel Production Credit ($769 to $900 million), immediate expensing of exploration and development costs ($200 to $255 million), the Enhanced Oil Recovery Credit ($26.3 to $100 million), foreign tax credits ($1.11 to $3.4 billion), foreign income deferrals ($183 to $318 million), and accelerated depreciation allowances ($1.0 to $4.5 billion).

Tax subsidies do not end at the federal level. The fact that most state income taxes are based on oil firms' deflated federal tax bill results in undertaxation of $125 to $323 million per year. Many states also impose fuel taxes that are lower than regular sales taxes, amounting to a subsidy of $4.8 billion per year to gasoline retailers and users. New rules under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 are likely to provide the petroleum industry with additional tax subsidies of $2.07 billion per year. In total, annual tax breaks that support gasoline production and use amount to $9.1 to $17.8 billion.

PROGRAM SUBSIDIES

Government support of US petroleum producers does not end with tax breaks. Program subsidies that support the extraction, production, and use of petroleum and petroleum fuel products total $38 to $114.6 billion each year. The largest portion of this total is federal, state, and local governments' $36 to $112 billion worth of spending on the transportation infrastructure, such as the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads and bridges. Other program subsidies include funding of research and development ($200 to $220 million), export financing subsidies ($308.5 to $311.9 million), support from the Army Corps of Engineers ($253.2 to $270 million), the Department of Interior's Oil Resources Management Programs ($97 to $227 million), and government expenditures on regulatory oversight, pollution cleanup, and liability costs ($1.1 to $1.6 billion).

PROTECTION SUBSIDIES

Beyond program subsidies, governments, and thus taxpayers, subsidize a large portion of the protection services required by petroleum producers and users. Foremost among these is the cost of military protection for oil-rich regions of the world. US Defense Department spending allocated to safeguard the world's petroleum resources total some $55 to $96.3 billion per year. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a federal government entity designed to supplement regular oil supplies in the event of disruptions due to military conflict or natural disaster, costs taxpayers an additional $5.7 billion per year. The Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration provide other protection services totaling $566.3 million per year. Of course, local and state governments also provide protection services for oil industry companies and gasoline users. These externalized police, fire, and emergency response expenditures add up to $27.2 to $38.2 billion annually.

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SOCIAL COSTS

Environmental, health, and social costs represent the largest portion of the externalized price Americans pay for their gasoline reliance. These expenses total some $231.7 to $942.9 billion every year. The internal combustion engine contributes heavily to localized air pollution. While the amount of damage that automobile fumes cause is certainly very high, the total dollar value is rather difficult to quantify. Approximately $39 billion per year is the lowest minimum estimate made by researchers in the field of transportation cost analysis, although the actual total is surely much higher and may exceed $600 billion.

Considering that researchers have conclusively linked auto pollution to increased health problems and mortality, the CTA report's estimate of $29.3 to $542.4 billion for the annual uncompensated health costs associated with auto emissions may not adequately reflect the value of lost or diminished human life. Other costs associated with localized air pollution attributable to gasoline-powered automobiles include decreased agricultural yields ($2.1 to $4.2 billion), reduced visibility ($6.1 to $44.5 billion), and damage to buildings and materials ($1.2 to $9.6 billion). Global warming ($3 to $27.5 billion), water pollution ($8.4 to $36.8 billion), noise pollution ($6 to $12 billion), and improper disposal of batteries, tires, engine fluids, and junked cars ($4.4 billion) also add to the environmental consequences wrought by automobiles.

Some of the costs associated with the real price of gasoline go beyond the effects of acquiring and burning fuel to reflect social conditions partially or wholly created by the automobile's preeminence in the culture of the United States. Chief among these conditions is the growth of urban sprawl. While monetizing the impact of sprawl may prove a challenging endeavor, several researchers have done significant work on the subject. The costs of sprawl include: additional environmental degradation (up to $58.4 billion), aesthetic degradation of cultural sites (up to $11.7 billion), social deterioration (up to $58.4 billion), additional municipal costs (up to $53.8 billion), additional transportation costs (up to $145 billion), and the barrier effect ($11.7 to $23.4 billion). Because assessment of the costs of sprawl is somewhat subjective and because study of the topic remains in a nascent stage, the CTA report follows the lead of other researchers in field of transportation cost analysis and reduces the total of the potential cost of sprawl by 25% to 50% to arrive at a total of $163.7 to $245.5 billion per year.

OTHER EXTERNAL COSTS

Finally, external costs not included in the first four categories amount to $191.4 to $474.1 billion per year. These include: travel delays due to road congestion ($46.5 to $174.6 billion), uncompensated damages caused by car accidents ($18.3 to $77.2 billion), subsidized parking ($108.7 to $199.3 billion), and insurance losses due to automobile-related climate change ($12.9 billion). The additional cost of $5.0 to $10.1 billion associated with US dependence on imported oil could rise substantially, totaling $7.0 to $36.8 billion, in the event of a sudden price increase for crude oil.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The ultimate result of the externalization of such a large portion of the real price of gasoline is that consumers have no idea how much fueling their cars actually costs them. The majority of people paying just over $1 for a gallon of gasoline at the pump has no idea that through increased taxes, excessive insurance premiums, and inflated prices in other retail sectors that that same gallon of fuel is actually costing them between $5.60 and $15.14. When the price of gasoline is so drastically underestimated in the minds of drivers, it becomes difficult if not impossible to convince them to change their driving habits, accept alternative fuel vehicles, support mass transit, or consider progressive residential and urban development strategies.

The first step toward getting the public to recognize the damage caused by the United States' gasoline dependance is getting the public to recognize how much they are paying for this damage. The best way, in turn, to accomplish this goal is to eliminate government tax subsidies, program subsidies, and protection subsidies for petroleum companies and users, and to internalize the external environmental, health, and social costs associated with gasoline use. This would mean that consumers would see the entire cost of burning gasoline reflected in the price they pay at the pump. Drivers faced with the cost of their gasoline usage up front may have a more difficult time ignoring the harmful effects that their addiction to automobiles and the internal combustion engine have on national security, the environment, their health, and their quality of life.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

AeroVironment to Build Private EV Charging Ecosystem - autoevolution

AeroVironment to Build Private EV Charging Ecosystem - autoevolution: "Electric vehicle charging solutions provider AeroVironment managed to land an important contract in light of the battle ahead with rivals like Coulomb or ECOtality. The company will be building what it calls the privately funded EV charging ecosystem"

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Region lacks charging capabilities for electric cars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Region lacks charging capabilities for electric cars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
#falsechickenandeggclaim

Nissan’s First Electric Vehicle: The 1947 Tama | The Truth About Cars

Nissan’s First Electric Vehicle: The 1947 Tama | The Truth About Cars: "It’s probably a bit of a stretch to call the 1947 Tama a “Nissan.” This lead-acid battery-powered two-door was developed in response to post-War oil rationing by the unemployed aircraft engineers of Tachikawa Airplane Company, a firm that later renamed itself the Tokyo Electric Motorcar Co. That company later became the Prince Motor Company, which in turn merged with Nissan, making the Tama a tenuous but real part of Nissan’s EV legacy."

YouTube - Nissan Leaf: European Car of the Year 2011

YouTube - Nissan Leaf: European Car of the Year 2011: "Nissan Leaf: European Car of the Year 2011"

Electric Vehicles (EV) Now Being Served - Thanks Bubba, Your Focused Vision Should Serve Us All Well

Electric Vehicles (EV) Now Being Served - Thanks Bubba, Your Focused Vision Should Serve Us All Well: "It's time for the First World to mandate that it will no longer accept gasoline burning vehicles to be built or imported into their countries after 2014...no more, never again. Between now and then the free world must commit the resources and capital to establish manufacturing sources for millions of high powered sustainable renewable batteries to power the main drive system for all new vehicles."

Electric car use beats wind to cut oil use: study | Reuters

Electric car use beats wind to cut oil use: study | Reuters

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Are Americans Willing to Try Electric Cars? - Driver's Seat - WSJ

Are Americans Willing to Try Electric Cars? - Driver's Seat - WSJ: "the number of respondents who said they see themselves driving an electric car 10 years down the road is still higher than some of the more optimistic estimates coming recently from industry analysts and car-company officials"

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Holiday Travel Underscores Need for Electric Vehicles - Domestic Fuel

Holiday Travel Underscores Need for Electric Vehicles - Domestic Fuel: "Natural Resources Defense Council and the Union of Concerned Scientists found the 60 miles per gallon fuel efficiency standard for cars by 2025 would save North Carolina drivers $3.5 billion at the gas pump in 2030. Steward explains.

“Gas powered engines are really inefficient. Only 13 percent of the energy created by burning gas in an engine goes to moving that car forward, and that creates a lot of global warming pollution.”"

YouTube - CNN: Nissan Leaf test drive

YouTube - CNN: Nissan Leaf test drive: "CNN's Ali Velshi takes Nissan's electric Leaf car for a spin with Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn."

If it has a tailpipe, it is not an electric vehicle. If there is a combustion engine and an electric motor, that is a hybrid. It does not matter when each is used, or which drives the car. ~Carlos Ghosn

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Will Americans drive electric cars? | wausaudailyherald.com | Wausau Daily Herald

Will Americans drive electric cars? | wausaudailyherald.com | Wausau Daily Herald: "At $41,000, the Chevrolet Volt is about the same size -- and shares components with -- the new Chevy Cruze gas-engine compact that starts at $16,995."

2011 Chevy Volt drive simulation | Driving the Nation

2011 Chevy Volt drive simulation | Driving the Nation: "Here is animation of the 2011 Chevy Volt and all four of its modes. If you are a geek you will love this animation.

According to Chevy the Volt can drive up to 100 mph pure EV, at around 3:30.

If you are looking for the place where they talk about the 4th mode it’s around 3:50.

At around 4:10 they start talking about converting from a one-motor to a two-motor driving."

Vectrix VX-3 Electric Vehicle - PhotoGalleries - POLICE Magazine

Vectrix VX-3 Electric Vehicle - PhotoGalleries - POLICE Magazine: "The Los Angeles Police Department is now field-testing the Vectrix VX-3, a unique three-wheeled electric patrol vehicle that will be available in the spring. The LAPD is testing the scooter-type vehicle at the city's LA Live entertainment complex that includes Staples Center. The vehicle was debuted at the 2010 COPSWEST trade show. Photos by Paul Clinton."

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Free Juice Bar

Philosophy: "The parking industry is uniquely positioned to help accelerate the building of the EV charging station infrastructure that is surely coming. These are not distant drum beats. The 'free juice' model of supply democratizes the system and will encourage the participation of the consumer public in the acceptance of charging technologies."

So you think Toyota invented the modern hybrid? Think again! — Autoblog Green

So you think Toyota invented the modern hybrid? Think again! — Autoblog Green: "Dr. Baruch Berman, Dr. George Gelb, and Dr. Neal Richardson of TRW Inc. Power Systems division devised the first working example of hybrid electric drives we see today. Patent #3566717 was issued in March 1971"

Ford Announces Focus Electric Markets | EarthTechling

Ford Announces Focus Electric Markets | EarthTechling: "Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Tucson, Seattle, Portland, Oregon.; Raleigh Durham, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia., or Washington, D.C.
According to a recent release, these are the markets where the automaker will be rolling out the spanky new electric version of its popular Ford Focus"

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Friday, November 19, 2010

EV Tax Credits

"applies to IRC 30D
Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8936.pdf

applies to IRC 30
Form 8834, Qualified Plug-in Electric and Electric Vehicle Credit
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8834.pdf

The LEAF qualifies under IDC 30D
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0 ... 06,00.html"

Electrifying the future | OregonLive.com

Electrifying the future | OregonLive.com: "The federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act had created 5,500 jobs in Oregon. Now that was certainly good news. The Oregon Jobs and Transportation Act adopted in 2009 promises more. Jobs are what we need."

Friday, November 12, 2010

'Hydrogen highway' may run to Portland | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

'Hydrogen highway' may run to Portland | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram: "Portland will become the northern end of an evolving 'hydrogen highway' along the East Coast if a Connecticut company moves ahead with plans to build a filling station here for a coming generation of fuel-cell-powered electric vehicles.

The station would be built in the next two years by SunHydro of Wallingford, Conn.,"

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

2011 Nissan Leaf Electric Car: First Drive Review - Green Car Reports

2011 Nissan Leaf Electric Car: First Drive Review - Green Car Reports: "The 2011 Nissan Leaf's exterior design is distinctive, even polarizing. Like the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid in its day, the Leaf doesn't look quite like anything else on the road. Nissan said its stylists went 'right up to the edge of unusual,' but tried to keep the car 'iconic but not weird.'"

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

2011 Volt "GM Lied" Debate: They Hate GM, They Really Hate GM - Green Car Reports

2011 Volt "GM Lied" Debate: They Hate GM, They Really Hate GM - Green Car Reports: "the E-REV details are no big deal. Let's start talking about the lousy MPG, poor charging efficient, heavy weight, lower than expected range, higher than expected charge the battery uses.
I think VoltGate may widen."

How GM "Lied" About The Electric Car

How GM "Lied" About The Electric Car: "The Chevy Volt has been hailed as General Motors' electric savior. Now, as GM officially rolls out the Volt this week for public consumption, we're told the much-touted fuel economy was misstated and GM 'lied' about the car being all-electric."

Clearing Up Confusion About the Chevrolet Volt | Volt

Clearing Up Confusion About the Chevrolet Volt | Volt: "we're diving even deeper into how the system works than we have in the past. We did not share all the details on how the system works until now because the information was competitive as we awaited patent approvals. Based on a small number of inaccurate media reports, we want to set the record straight."

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Electric ice cream truck set to freeze brains

Electric ice cream truck set to freeze brains: "The vintage Ford has been converted to an all-electric vehicle, and Johnson plans to eventually power its freezer with solar panels. Johnson said the company - named for his daughter - is selling Haagen Dazs ice cream"

Sunday, October 3, 2010

YouTube - LEAF EV test drive at Santa Monica Alt-Car expo 2010

YouTube - LEAF EV test drive at Santa Monica Alt-Car expo 2010: "Nissan LEAF is one of the best Electric cars ever made. Handling is wonderful, acceleration adequate (as you can see in the video's short drive), and Nissan seems committed to making it a success."

Wherein GM calls my bluff… evchels

Wherein GM calls my bluff… evchels: "the Volt Customer Advisory Board will serve as the first “civilians” (non-employees) to be living with the car, using it in our daily lives, and giving feedback–good, bad, and ugly, if needed–to the GM team"

Monday, September 27, 2010

Personal Finance - Electric car use beats wind to cut oil use: study : Finance

Personal Finance - Electric car use beats wind to cut oil use: study : Finance: "
The Baker Institute analysis found that a mandate calling for 30 percent of all U.S. vehicles to run on electric power by 2050 would be 'the single most effective way' to reduce oil demand and reliance on foreign imports.

A 30-percent electric fleet would reduce U.S. oil use by 2.5 million barrels a day above the projected reduction from increased fuel efficiency standards."

BP and Me: How The Oil Spill Changed My Mind on Electric Cars (Page 2) - All Cars Electric

BP and Me: How The Oil Spill Changed My Mind on Electric Cars (Page 2) - All Cars Electric: "
Oil is toxic, in ways you can't imagine until they blow up in your face.

Oil can also be an astonishing transformer. It lifts people out of poverty. It rewired our country on a circuit of Interstates. It enabled modern America.

Is it worth the recurring threat of another BP spill, to keep the world's cars running on oil alone? These days, I'm no longer convinced that one easy solution is the best one. Hurricanes can't be prevented, but some ecological disasters can.

I'm choosing an electric car as my next new vehicle, not to prove a point, but to see if it's a rational future. A better choice for some, maybe for most. Not for all."

9 Reasons Your Next Car Should be an Electric Vehicle | Peachy Green

9 Reasons Your Next Car Should be an Electric Vehicle | Peachy Green

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Arcimoto Pulse – Test Drive With The Stars � Innovational Musings

Arcimoto Pulse – Test Drive With The Stars - Innovational Musings: "A working model of Leonardo da Vinci’s 1478 3-wheeler. It was completed in 2004 and took technicians 7 years to make.(Source:Florence Science Museum)

If you’re interested in 3-wheelers check out this excellent site 3-wheelers.

The F300 is a two seater “tilting” 3-wheeler"

Nissan Reveals Pricing For LEAF Options: DC Fast Charger Extra, Unless You Live in Initial Launch Market | PluginCars.com

Nissan Reveals Pricing For LEAF Options: DC Fast Charger Extra, Unless You Live in Initial Launch Market | PluginCars.com: "
Floor Mats & Cargo Mat Area $170
B92 Splash Guards $140
M94 Recycling/Organizational Package $225
M92 Cargo Cover $290
M93 Cargo Net $20 Not available with M94 Recycling/Organizational Package
N92 Hologram Kick Plates $125 Not available with B93 Eco Design Package
B93 Eco Design Package $260 Not available with N92 Hologram Kick Plates
B94 Protection Package $225
S92 Safety Kit $75"

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Study: Efficient cars would save families $745 a year | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Study: Efficient cars would save families $745 a year | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram: "New fuel efficiency and global warming standards for cars and light trucks would save Maine residents $427 million at the gas pump and cut oil use in the state by 179 million gallons per year in 2030, according to an analysis by a group advocating for passage of the standards."

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Howard Learner: BP/Enbridge Lessons: Electric Vehicle Solutions That Reduce Oil Dependence, Reduce Pollution, Create Jobs and Boost the Midwest's Economy

Howard Learner: BP/Enbridge Lessons: Electric Vehicle Solutions That Reduce Oil Dependence, Reduce Pollution, Create Jobs and Boost the Midwest's Economy: "The BP and Enbridge oil spill disasters reminded everyone of the dangers from our addiction to oil. Most Americans are looking for cleaner and safer ways to power our cars and heat our homes. The good news is that shifting to cleaner cars and trucks can create new jobs, improve the environment and boost our economy at the same time"

Performance EV Conversion - Project BMW

Performance EV Conversion - Project BMW: "2003 BMW 325i was chosen for the conversion."

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ten hot green-energy trends to watch - Technology & science - Future of Energy - msnbc.com

Ten hot green-energy trends to watch - Technology & science - Future of Energy - msnbc.com: "The buzz over electrified transportation is only going to get stronger"

Special Report: Power struggles: charging tomorrow's cars | Reuters

Special Report: Power struggles: charging tomorrow's cars | Reuters: "'The introduction of electric vehicles is more than a financial matter,' says U.S. analyst Sam Jaffe, research manager at IDC Energy Insights. 'It's a big anthropological experiment. There's no question that there are drawbacks, but there are also advantages. It requires a re-setting of mindsets and how that unfolds will decide who wins the race.'"

Saturday, September 11, 2010

RMI: Triple Safety: Lightweighting Automobiles to Improve Occupant, Highway, and Global Safety

RMI: Triple Safety: Lightweighting Automobiles to Improve Occupant, Highway, and Global Safety: "Automobilesʼ negative impact on human health and welfare includes traffic-related deaths and injuries as well as the deaths and injuries caused by automobilesʼ contribution to climate change and other global environmental degradation. This paper explores solutions that both enhance vehicle performance and reduce environmental impacts"

Friday, September 10, 2010

Frito-Lay Poised to Launch Largest All-Electric Truck Fleet in North America � Environmental Leader � Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives

Frito-Lay Poised to Launch Largest All-Electric Truck Fleet in North America � Environmental Leader � Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives: "PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division is rolling out the company’s first five all-electric delivery trucks in New York City. Frito-Lay plans to deploy 21 trucks in total this year and 150 additional trucks in 2011, which will make Frito-Lay the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in North America, according to the company."

Monday, September 6, 2010

Contribution of Li-Ion Batteries to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles - Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications)

Contribution of Li-Ion Batteries to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles - Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications): "Battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) play a key role in future mobility scenarios. However, little is known about the environmental impacts of the production, use and disposal of the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. This makes it difficult to compare the environmental impacts of BEVs with those of internal combustion engine cars (ICEVs). Consequently, a detailed lifecycle inventory of a Li-ion battery and a rough LCA of BEV based mobility were compiled. The study shows that the environmental burdens of mobility are dominated by the operation phase regardless of whether a gasoline-fueled ICEV or a European electricity fueled BEV is used. The share of the total environmental impact of E-mobility caused by the battery (measured in Ecoindicator 99 points) is 15%."

Sunday, September 5, 2010

As America Grows Fatter, It Burns More Gas | Autopia | Wired.com

As America Grows Fatter, It Burns More Gas | Autopia | Wired.com: "There is no doubt Americans are getting fatter and fatter. The latest stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the number of people identifying themselves as obese grew 1.1 percent — an additional 2.4 million people — between 2007 and 2009. The number of states with an obesity rate of 30 percent or more tripled, to nine, during the same time."

My Chevrolet Volt Order Has Been Placed

My Chevrolet Volt Order Has Been Placed: "Steve is very excited about the Volt. “How could I not be,” he said. “This car will bring in a ton of new showroom traffic.” He is committed to servicing the cars and currently has five Volts on allocation (four besides mine). He has no intentions of charging more than MSRP. “I will not price gouge,” he said."

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Go Electric | Tesla Motors

Go Electric | Tesla Motors: "WHY SHOULD CARS BURN GASOLINE?

The Tesla Roadster isn't just fun to drive - it provides exhilarating electric miles with technology more efficient than any other sports car. An engine dependent on combustion will never attain the efficiency of the Tesla electric powertrain. The driving efficiency of a Roadster is 88% compared to 20-25% for traditional gas-powered cars. The experience of beating an equivalent gas-guzzling sports car off the line is exhilarating - and using less energy to do it makes the Tesla grin that much bigger. While hybrid (including plug-in hybrids with 'range extenders') technologies increase the efficiency of internal combustion, they are still less efficient than an electric vehicle like the Tesla Roadster."

Efficiency | Tesla Motors

Efficiency | Tesla Motors: "WELL-TO-WHEEL EFFICIENCY

Comparing an example of each technology reveals that Tesla electric technology uses energy most efficiently. As utility companies build more efficient power plants and bring more renewables online, the well-to-station efficiency will significantly increase. In turn, the overall vehicle efficiency increases to levels never to be recognized by internal combustion or hybrid technologies."

Is Hydrogen Research Driven by Fantasy? - Scitizen

Is Hydrogen Research Driven by Fantasy? - Scitizen:
"A new study finds that research efforts at creating a hydrogen economy may be driven more by fantasy than sound science.

As many readers of this forum likely already know, the “hydrogen economy” would rely on hydrogen to power vehicles and electricity generators and produce only water vapor as “pollution.” Proponents promise that the use of hydrogen as a primary fuel could greatly reduce the tension between energy use and environmental degradation."

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Advertising - With New Products, Nissan Plays Up Innovation - NYTimes.com

Advertising - With New Products, Nissan Plays Up Innovation - NYTimes.com: "Nissan is “rallying around innovation,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president for Nissan marketing at Nissan North America in Franklin, Tenn., as embodied by the Leaf, the mass-market electric car that the company is to bring out at the end of the year.

Leaf is “the poster child for innovation,”"

EV-Driving San Francisco Mayor Launches Plug-in Hybrid Demo Project | PluginCars.com

EV-Driving San Francisco Mayor Launches Plug-in Hybrid Demo Project | PluginCars.com: "Mayor Newsom spoke passionately and eloquently about the importance of bringing plug-in hybrids and electric cars to San Francisco. “This is the game-changing technology that can really impact our oil dependency and our foreign policy as it relates to that dependency. We’ve got to get people out of the old combustion engine vehicles.”"

Sunday, August 22, 2010

BikePortland.org � Blog Archive � Electric vehicles, 'The Portland Way'

BikePortland.org � Blog Archive � Electric vehicles, 'The Portland Way': "To say there's momentum in our region for electric vehicles would be a major understatement. Last week, the Portland City Council voted to accept the recommendations in Electric Vehicles: The Portland Way, a report (PDF) on EVs that lays out a strategy for integrating more battery-powered cars into our city."

Sunday, August 15, 2010

i-Miev: Japanese Buyers Flock To Buy Mitsubishi's Affordable Electric Car

i-Miev: Japanese Buyers Flock To Buy Mitsubishi's Affordable Electric Car: "Japan's first mass-market electric car went on sale in showrooms Thursday as the futuristic technology becomes more affordable amid a burgeoning price war.

The four-seater bubble-shaped i-MiEV from Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Japan's fifth-biggest automaker, costs 2.8 million yen ($30,500) after government incentives are figured into the price of 4 million yen ($43,000).

Proud i-MiEV buyer Chitoshi Okunuki, 72, placed an advance order at a higher price in August and was thrilled at Mitsubishi's decision Tuesday to cut the price by 620,000 yen ($6,700)."

BP’s Loss, Our Opportunity: Driving Electric Can Help Cure Oil Addiction | The Green Economy Post: Green Careers, Green Business, Sustainability

BP’s Loss, Our Opportunity: Driving Electric Can Help Cure Oil Addiction | The Green Economy Post: Green Careers, Green Business, Sustainability: "Oil has monopolized America’s transportation sector, but this is changing. By the end of 2010, several major automobile manufacturers, including Nissan, General Motors, Volt, Nissan,GM, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes will release their first generation electric vehicles – vehicles that allow you to run partially and even fully on electricity."

Test Drive: Nissan Leaf

Test Drive: Nissan Leaf: "The Leaf is a car I’d recommend to anyone who’s already game, but it’s not going to change anyone’s mind who isn’t already interested in getting a plug-in. That’ll happen a few years down the road."

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Fuel Cell Cars: Where Are They Now? - Driver's Seat - WSJ

Fuel Cell Cars: Where Are They Now? - Driver's Seat - WSJ: "With the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and other battery powered�vehicles getting so much attention lately, it is easy to forget about that other type of electric car — the fuel cell vehicle.

Does anyone remember hydrogen fuel cells? They were all the rage in the early�aughts.�Several major car makers built elaborate prototypes and some,�including General Motors and Honda Motor Co., heralded fuel cells as the best long-term solution for kicking�our nation’s fossil-fuel addiction."

2011 Nissan Leaf Drive Review: A Real Electric Car for Real People (Page 3) - All Cars Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf Drive Review: A Real Electric Car for Real People (Page 3) - All Cars Electric: "But Nissan haven't made any such excuses.� And there's not a Birkenstock, oversized poncho or political argument in sight.
With a range of around 100 miles per charge, fast charging possible to 80% full in 30 minutes when using a fast charge station and a top speed well above any freeway limit, the 2011 Nissan Leaf is a real car.
A real car for real people. Let us not forget that the car's name, the Nissan LEAF, is actually an acronym.
Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable, Family car."

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Living On Electric Avenue Diary: Day Five - Translogic

Living On Electric Avenue Diary: Day Five - Translogic: "They were afraid of running out of juice too far from home. So, Mitsubishi installed charging stations in strategic locations and told the test group where they were. Then they began racking up the miles, but strangely enough, they weren't using the recharging stations. It turned out they had plenty of juice to get to and from work. They just wanted to know the stations were there... in case."

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Tea Partier Warns Against Commie Bike Conspiracy

Tea Partier Warns Against Commie Bike Conspiracy: "On the conservative Oregon Catalyst site, for example, radio blabber Lars Larson and his fans are on a tear against the Chevy Volt, GM’s new electric car. And this morning’s Bulletin has a spectacularly stupid cartoon by Chip Bok showing a Volt driving along a highway labeled “Road to Serfdom,” with somebody in the car saying: “Fortunately, it will only go 40 miles.”"

Friday, August 6, 2010

No Active Thermal Management: Did Nissan Make the Right Call? | PluginCars.com

No Active Thermal Management: Did Nissan Make the Right Call? | PluginCars.com: "The 8 year / 100,000 mile warranty is a good step in the right direction and shows confidence, but I think Nissan needs to be a little more forthcoming about why they decided to omit what just about every other auto manufacturer believes is necessary in an EV."

Energy Tribune- Unplugged! Why Electric Cars Are the Next Big Thing…And They Always Will Be

Energy Tribune- Unplugged! Why Electric Cars Are the Next Big Thing…And They Always Will Be: "The media’s coverage of the electric-car sector demonstrates more than 100 years of gullibility. The gee-whiz factor of electric cars with their big batteries, small motors, and whisper-quiet locomotion appears to be so dazzling that reporters willingly give up their skepticism like star-struck groupies surrendering their panties."

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Op-Ed Contributor - The Volt - G.M.’s Electric Lemon - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Contributor - The Volt - G.M.’s Electric Lemon - NYTimes.com: "Start with the $50 billion bailout (without which none of this would have been necessary), add $240 million in Energy Department grants doled out to G.M. last summer, $150 million in federal money to the Volt’s Korean battery supplier, up to $1.5 billion in tax breaks for purchasers and other consumer incentives, and some significant portion of the $14 billion loan G.M. got in 2008 for “retooling” its plants, and you’ve got some idea of how much taxpayer cash is built into every Volt."

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Coming to a theater near you: EVs

Coming to a theater near you: EVs: "Ghosn is looking to leapfrog Toyota with the Leaf: 'He's about the money.

'He's about the spreadsheet. If they're not going to make money on it, he wouldn't be in the game.'"

Monday, August 2, 2010

Charging Ahead at 98 - In the Driver's Seat

Charging Ahead at 98 - In the Driver's Seat: "I recently had the honor of dining with fellow Tesla roadster owner Howard Dunholter, who at 98 years of age is clearly not your 'typical' Tesla enthusiast. �Howard's interest in EVs began way back in 1921 when he was a ten-year-old tot. He remembers watching lamp-like electric horseless carriages gliding through his hometown"

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Senator Calls For Freedom From Foreign Oil � - Top News - Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

Senator Calls For Freedom From Foreign Oil � - Top News - Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media: "“Eliminating our dependence on foreign oil would have many, many, benefits,” said Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Monday while speaking at the Center for American Progress. Merkley emphasized the United States' need for comprehensive energy and climate reform that would target the country's dependence on expensive and unstable foreign oil.

The Democratic Senator introduced a prospective, 20 year agenda aimed at ending America’s dependence on foreign oil. Merkely believes his plan would be politically and economically feasible, and environmentally beneficial."

Chevy competes for best deal on electric car - The Morning Sun Business: Serving Clare, Gratiot and Isabella counties

Chevy competes for best deal on electric car - The Morning Sun Business: Serving Clare, Gratiot and Isabella counties: "GM's $350-a-month lease deal is for 36 months with $2,500 down. Nissan's lease plan is $349 a month over the same period with $1,995 down. Toprak said the Volt lease will be heavily subsidized by GM as a way to get people into Chevrolet showrooms."

Mileage tax suggested to replace gasoline tax | The Columbus Dispatch

Mileage tax suggested to replace gasoline tax | The Columbus Dispatch: "For decades, paying for roads has been fairly straightforward.

Motorists pay at the pump through gasoline taxes. It's more or less fair, too: The more you drive, the more you pay.

But more and more, people involved in transportation planning and construction say that model is breaking down"

2011 Nissan Leaf Drive Review: A Real Electric Car for Real People (Page 3) - All Cars Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf Drive Review: A Real Electric Car for Real People (Page 3) - All Cars Electric: "Until recently, electric cars have been considered the playthings of the rich and wealthy, or the political statements of the extreme environmentalist keen to bring down demonic oil barons."

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Facebook | GreenBeat 2009: VantagePoint’s Alan Salzman on Tesla and how VCs should think green

Facebook | GreenBeat 2009: VantagePoint’s Alan Salzman on Tesla and how VCs should think green: "And lo and behold, Tesla has already become this catalyst, in Salzman’s opinion.

“It’s no coincidence that from the day the first Roadster rolled onto the street, it took no more than three years for Nissan to debut the Leaf [its all-electric vehicle] for less than $25,000,” he said. “Certainly the speed with which the Leaf has appeared was directly impacted by Tesla. I mean, if a bunch of Silicon Valley engineering types can put out a car like the Roadster, why can’t the major automotive makers? The answer is, they can, and now they will.”"

GM takes on Nissan in electric car battle

GM takes on Nissan in electric car battle: "Less than 10 years ago, many of the world's big automakers killed off their electric vehicle programs, branding them failed experiments. But improved technology, fears of global warming, and renewed public interest have brought the electric car to the verge of a remarkable comeback."

Key air board member linked to auto, oil firms - Los Angeles Times

Key air board member linked to auto, oil firms - Los Angeles Times: "When the state Air Resources Board met two weeks ago for an important vote, one member -- Daniel Sperling -- took center stage.

At issue was whether the board would revise a mandate requiring automakers to produce 25,000 emission-free vehicles from 2012 through 2014."

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Power Grid Could End Our Dependence on Imported Oil | Green Energy News

The Power Grid Could End Our Dependence on Imported Oil | Green Energy News: "“Electricity represents a diverse, domestic, stable, fundamentally scalable energy supply whose fuel inputs are almost completely free of oil.'

'We cannot let electric vehicles turn into another niche product. We cannot allow their use to be limited to environmentalists and technological enthusiasts. To make our nation's investment worthwhile -- and, more importantly, to truly combat our oil dependence -- we must put ourselves on the pathway toward millions, then tens of millions, and then hundreds of millions of electric cars and trucks.

'That is where this crucial legislation comes in.'"

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The First Public J1772: Another Leap Closer to Plugging In

The first Level 2 public J1772 charging station in the world went operational on Monday, May 3rd 2010, some 10 miles from Sacramento Airport in Woodside, California. This is a historic achievement for the new generation of plug-in vehicles. J1772 is the universal standard that will charge all the coming new plug-ins in the U.S.

Tom Dowling, charging infrastructure manager with the Electric Auto Assn. and long-time EV driver (12 years!), had the J1772 interface installed. The charger itself, is a ClipperCreek model CS-40 with a 208 volt capacity.

Of course, there are no vehicles for the station to charge at the moment because there are no J1772-capable cars on the road yet. But at press time, Tom expected an early Leaf, slated to visit UC Davis, to visit the charging station for a photo op and a charge in mid-May. In a tantalizingly few months, there should be lots of J1772-capable cars craving a charge at the station.

"This installation of an SAE J1172(tm) charging station is an important milestone" Tom says. "Here we have a fully UL-approved charging station, cable, and connector. Suppliers are ready to provide fully-approved equipment in volume. We're actually ready for vehicles before the vehicles arrive. We don't have the problems the BMW Mini E trial had, where the vehicles arrived before all the approvals were complete, and we have a new universal standard connector, not a vehicle-manufacturer-specific connector. Now all we need are the vehicles."

The J1772 location also boasts the first public Tesla charging station, a ClipperCreek TS-90, installed in '09 as well as legacy charging stations for Toyota's RAV4 EV and Ford's Ranger EV.

Source: Plug-in America may 2010 Newsletter

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Transportation Electrification an Economic Bonus - In the Driver's Seat

Transportation Electrification an Economic Bonus - In the Driver's Seat: "The Electrification Coalition� released its 'roadmap' for conversion of the auto industry to plug-in vehicles last Fall, and an economic analysis released today reports that their plan would benefit the economy, create jobs, put money in consumers' pockets, reduce the national debt, and help stabilize the economy from the effects of future oil shocks."

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

EV Incentives - Google Maps

EV Incentives - Google Maps: "Credit of up to $5,000 for conversion or purchase costs (PHEV only). Up to $1,500 for purchase of or conversion to BEV. (Oregon Revised Statutes 316.116 &�HB 2180)"

Monday, March 29, 2010

Nissan Prices Electric Leaf at $40,600 - WSJ.com

Nissan Prices Electric Leaf at $40,600 - WSJ.com: "YOKOHAMA—Nissan Motor Co. said Tuesday it will start selling its Leaf electric car in December with a price tag of 3.76 million yen, or about $40,600.

View Full Image

AFP/Getty Images
Nissan's electric Leaf

Japan's third largest auto maker, 44%-owned by France's Renault SA, said it will begin taking purchase orders for the model from April 1. It will then announce the price tags for the U.S. and Europe.

In Japan, assuming government subsidies for electric vehicles will continue, the price tag would be lowered 2.99 million yen.

Copyright 2010 Dow Jones Newswires"

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

New Electric Cars Are Better



Via SuperiorMind on YouTube
Just showing off some of the cool new electric cars and putting to rest some of the myths out there. When people think of electric cars, typically they think of older ugly slower models, lead-acid batterys, and BS propaganda they've read slamming the 'electric cars'(as though they all carried the exact same attributes).

The battery technology has changed(and will change even more when nanowire battery becomes common), the speeds have changed, the climate versatility has changed, the prices are changing, the car companies are changing... everything is changing for the better. I expect to see a lot more support for EV's during and after 2010.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Shocking results: Survey reveals what consumers want from electric cars

Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Shocking results: Survey reveals what consumers want from electric cars:
"The dawn of the 21st-century electric car is upon us. Pure-electric cars and plug-in vehicles promise to revolutionize transportation, addressing the needs of most motorists, while reducing fossil fuel consumption and green house emissions. Major automakers are readying electric cars for mass production, and consumers are ready. More than one-quarter (26 percent) of consumers said they are likely to consider a plug-in electric car the next time they are in the market for a new vehicle, and 7 percent said very likely in a random, nationwide telephone survey of car-owning households conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center."

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Volt More Than Bridging Strategy

Volt More Than Bridging Strategy: "It seems likely GM is expecting multiple healthy parallel markets including those for EREVs, BEVs, and plugin PHEVs.� As there are many subgroups of consumers each with their own specialized needs, offering options for all of them makes good business sense. This is especially true if costly common denominators such as lithium-ion packs can be eventually be brought to lower price points though economies of scale.
“In the end, the market will determine the winner and the technology that carries the day,” Tony Posawatz told GM-Volt.com."

Saturday, March 13, 2010

ClipperCreek now taking orders for EV charger with new J-1772 coupler — Autoblog Green

ClipperCreek now taking orders for EV charger with new J-1772 coupler — Autoblog Green: "If you are looking for an electric vehicle charger with the new North American standard plug-end (SAE J-1772) for either your own garage or for the convenience of your customers, ClipperCreek has just announced that they are now taking orders for that very beastie. With delivery set for May, the company's American-made CS-40 connects to a 208V - 240V feed and puts out a continuous 32 amps and should retail for about $3,000. Founded in 2006, ClipperCreek is not only the exclusive Level 2 charging equipment supplier for Tesla Motors and the BMW Mini E program but also works with the likes of Mitsubishi, Ford, Mercedes, GM and Nissan.

ClipperCreek also recently appointed four new sales executives with lots of industry experience who, strategically placed about the country, are ready to offer their customers the proper support necessary in this blossoming field."

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Gas car's tailpipe extends all the way to coal plant

Gas car's tailpipe extends all the way to coal plant:
"'You're just plugging into a lump of coal' charge, or what I call, the 'gotcha' critique, as in, 'Ha, ha -- you smug EV owner or advocate, you're polluting too -- gotcha!'

Here's my back-to-you 'gotcha':

'You, gas car drivers, are also plugging into a lump of coal -- via the oil refining process!'

Oil refining requires a tremendous amount of electricity, much of it generated by the burning of coal at large power plants. In the U.S., in 2008, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, oil refineries consumed 42,682 million kilowatts of electricity.

To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent of the yearly electricity consumption of about 5.4 million average American households!

That's right, gas-powered cars drive partially on coal!"

Sunday, March 7, 2010

This week in batteries (TWIB): Pull the plug. Your battery will thank you.

This week in batteries (TWIB): Pull the plug. Your battery will thank you.: "By 2 AM you have a fully charged battery. If you leave your house at 8:00 AM, your battery is going to be sitting at 4.2V for 6 hours in any 24 hour period. This is not going to be good for the battery. It gets worse if you decide to bump the amp/volts on your house to charge it faster. So we need to get these batteries charged faster, but we also want to make sure to have smart chargers that don’t do what I’ve described above. Something to think about.

What does this mean for researchers? If someone can find an electrolyte that has a wide voltage window of stability, then this problem goes away. Or you can try to use materials that work within this window (For example A123 Systems battery does this on the positive side)."

Tuesday, March 2, 2010