Featured Post

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...

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Consumers wary of buying electric cars


Before you use an EV on a regular basis, recharge time and range are concerns. This leads to comments such as, "I won't drive an EV until it can go 300 miles on a charge and it can refill as fast as I can at the gas station."

I am happy to report that once you actually start using an EV, these concerns melt away. EVs exceed expectations and are fun to drive. Starting out each morning fully charged means never taking a side trip to get fuel. This is just one of the many great things about an EV that make most people that drive one say, "I never want to go back!"

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money

Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money:
"My Tea Party,

Let us never forget that the original patriots of the 1773 Tea Party threw overboard the product of an oppressive foreign nation and their East India Tea Company (EITC) who sought to relegate us to their servitude. Who severely misjudged the will of the American people for independence and misjudged their desire for tea at any price. A true modern day equivalent of a Tea Party acting in the spirit of those original patriots of 1773, would be one that threw overboard the product of foreign nations and their Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) who seek to relegate us to their servitude. Who severely misjudged the will of the American people for independence and misjudged their desire for gasoline at any price.A true Tea Party patriot would “make their own tea” for the equivalent of $0.40 cents a gallon of gas, and not make populist moronic proclamations such as “if you elect me I’ll give you $2.00 a gallon gasoline.” How’s that for a loaded but true paragraph?

Cheers
Peder (a lifelong conservative republican)"

Saturday, September 17, 2011

13 Key Questions and Answers about Nissan Leaf Battery Pack and Ordering | Hybrid Cars

13 Key Questions and Answers about Nissan Leaf Battery Pack and Ordering | Hybrid Cars: "Will the DC fast chargers degrade the battery faster?

If fast charging is the primary way that a Leaf owner recharges, then the gradual capacity loss is about 10 percent more than 220-volt charging. In other words, it will bring the capacity loss closer to 70 percent after 10 years."

'via Blog this'

Electric car charging stations may be developed in Seaside - Seaside Signal: News

Electric car charging stations may be developed in Seaside - Seaside Signal: News: ""I think of it as an economic stimulus for the coast," said Biasi. "People who drive over here from the valley in their electric cars will have an additional $80 in their pocket because they didn't have to buy gas. That's money that can be used to buy a meal or applied to a night's lodging.""

'via Blog this'

Forget Electric Cars...Check Out This Idea For Electric Roads

Forget Electric Cars...Check Out This Idea For Electric Roads:

'via Blog this'

I would need to change the name of this blog :)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Towing Company Uses Electric Vehicle for Some Calls


In Madison Wi, you can get roadside assistance for your electric vehicle from an electric vehicle. Schmidt’s Auto has launched a new class of service vehicle in 2009, a battery operated light duty truck. They call her “Sparky”. Sparky operates in and around the downtown area providing service to AAA and other motor clubs customers. Appropriately, Sparky is there if a gas car has battery issues and she can help with lock-outs or tire changes. 

“We’re very excited about this move by Schmidt’s”, said Nancy Jackman, Director of Automotive Services for AAA Wisconsin. "AAA has been encouraging our contractors to migrate to light service vehicles for both economic and environmental reasons, and Schmidt's Towing has taken this strategy to the next level. AAA congratulates Schmidt's on going green!”

Electric vehicle costs of operation are much lower. With today's fuel prices Schmidt’s Auto has found a way to keep services affordable. “If we can save some money on the front end by introducing a lower cost vehicle, we can keep our pricing stable and avoid adding price increases such as fuel surcharges. At the same time we were looking at an environmentally friendly vehicle,” John says.

“For Schmidt’s, Sparky works because of its size and range. Every step we take on reducing our carbon footprint and decreasing our dependency on foreign oil is a step in the right direction” said Lucy Zweep of Ozee Cars, the local dealer where Schmidt’s purchased the vehicle.

“As the economy continues to provide challenges and the need exist for us all to review ways to protect our environment, Schmidt’s is happy to do their part. Currently, we recycle thousand of vehicles each year, we market used and rebuilt parts, and now with our battery operated vehicle we feel good about our contributions thus far” said co-owner Mike Schmidt.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The shocking truth about electric cars - The Globe and Mail

The shocking truth about electric cars - The Globe and Mail: "the cost of the batteries, currently about $1000 per kWh or per 4 miles or range. But the prices have been halving every 4 years. The trade-off point for electric drive, either plug-in or EV, is currently about $8-10/gallon of gasoline, depending on amortization costs."

'via Blog this'