An ancient description of Corporate America and the American Consumer.
"It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more dangerous to conduct, nor more doubtful in its success, than an attempt to introduce innovations. For the leader in the introduction of changes will have for his enemies all those who profit under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those who might be better off under the new."
Niccolò Machiavelli,
"The Prince and The Discourses", Chapter 6,
written in 1513, the same year Juan Ponce de Leon landed in Florida.
|
Plug-in, we have the technology,
the NiMH powered RAV4 EV is the proof.
|
After viewing the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car?", I was moved to buy my 1999 Ford Ranger and convert it to a battery electric vehicle. It is said that marketing of the EV failed to surface demand from the American consumer. What amazes me, is that as someone who converted my first pickup truck in 1979, as someone interested in the electric car, I was unaware of the entire EV history of the late 90's and early couple of years in the 21st Century. I try to keep up with current events. I never saw the advertising or any word in the news. Surely the systematic crushing of an entire generation of vehicles by a manufacturer is an event of national interest. Where was the media?
This is not about establishing who are the bad guys and who are the good guys. It is about defining the problems (economy, national security, foreign oil dependency and the environment), understanding the solutions and solving the problems. It is also not about establishing who is rational and who is emotional. It seems to be rational to accept the view that we need a breakthrough in Lithium Ion battery technology before we can have electric cars. If you believe that the RAV4 EV is proof that we have the necessary technology, you are emotional and everything you have to say can be dismissed.
The purpose of this web page is to educate and convince anyone who finds it, that Chevron's control of the patent for the NiMH battery is not in the interest of National Security. The EV 95 battery was produced by Panasonic and used by Toyota's RAV4 EV. The RAV4 EV and EV 95 battery are the evidence that we have the Technology to put Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV'S) on the road today. All the documents, videos and links on this page support this.
Why Electric
Summary Flyer.rtf
CARB RAV4 EV flyer.pdf
|
My Contribution Is My
Electric Pickup Truck Two
- EPT2
These pictures were taken by Frank Jackson in his car port on Jan 4th, 2008, two days after final assembly. The trip that day, from Southwest Winter Haven to Auburndale, Florida, was 19 miles. The recharge took six hours, consuming about 12 KWH at 13 cents per KWH, for a total of $1.56. This same trip would have consumed 1 gal of gas at over three dollars before conversion to electric. (1200 mile update, my estimate of cost to charge was very high. After reviewing electric bills, it is almost impossible to see any increase when comparing four years bills. Over three months, I can only account for $20.00 over the entire period.)
For now, as a result of over 1200 miles of driving, I feel I have achieved my goal of a plug and drive vehicle with a range of 35 to 40 miles. Although my longest trip exceeds my goal at 41 miles, so far. It is everything I expected. The lack of power steering is sufficiently acceptable that I have no current plan to add it.
To be quite frank, although this car is a viable alternative to its’ gas powered previous life, it is not its’ equal. The V6 motor I removed was very responsive with the 5 speed transmission. Neither is it equal in pollution or foreign oil dependence. For me, this is the vehicle in which I will do over 90% of my driving.
One thing I am concerned about, is that this car be used as an example of the limitations of electric vehicle technology. The limitations of this vehicle reflect my limitations. For anyone interested in the true limitations of the EV technology, use the Toyota RAV4 EV, the Ford Ranger EV, the Tesla or the EV1 (800 crushed by GM) as the standard.
I converted this vehicle because the automobile industry has abandoned this technology, for reasons I will never understand, leaving me no alternative, but to build an inferior substitute.
Although my car meets my requirements and is a wonderful alternative to pollution and foreign oil dependence, it is no match for GM or Toyota automotive engineering.
Chevron has taken steps to see to it that I can’t have NiMh batteries in my car. I would have bought them if I could have. The result is that my vehicle has half the range it could have. The result is, I imagine, just what Chevron wants. My car looks to be half what it could be, to anyone forming an opinion about Battery Electric Vehicle Technology.
My car is here to show you that battery Electric Vehicles are viable. It should not be used as an example of the limitations of the Technology.
EPT2 Documents
Learn About EPT2 Driving Experience
EPT2 Specifications
EPT2 Parts list and Cost
Learn More About EPT2 Design and Construction
Wiring Instructions (Incomplete)
EPT2 Upgrades
EPT2 LED Running Lights
EPT2 Power Steering
EPT2 Water Heater
Milage Log
Milage Log
EPT2 Video
See the wmv Video (Six Minutes, 15 meg)
See the rv Video (Six Minutes, 8 meg)
See the mpg Video (Six Minutes, 80 meg)
EPT1
Learn About EPT1
EPT3
Learn About EPT3
Events
Battery Beach Burnout 2008
Polk Retired Teachers 2008
Sunset Celebration 2008
HOBY Leadership Conference 2008
Cypress Gardens Car Show 2008
See the Video of the Cypress Gardens Car Show May 2008
Board of Commissioners, June 4, 2008
Spirit of DC meets EPT2, July 6, 2008
City of Sarasota Event, July 21, 2008
Polk County Meeting August 30, 2008
Cypress Gardens Car Show October 2008
Vicctory Lane Car Show Lakeland 2008
Great American Teach-In, Auburndale, 2008
Park Vista HS Car Show, December 13th, 2008
PolkEVA Meeting Lakeland, Saturday the 20 th of December 2008
Sun Coast EVA Meeting Tarpon Springs, December 2008
Trips
High Tech School 2008
John Ryder's Production Ranger 3 2008
Ken Watins' Conversions 2008
Mark Hazen's S10 2008
|
|
Before you can solve a problem, it needs to be understood and defined.
The problems are:
 The Economy,
We live in an Oil based economy. As Oil prices rise our
economy approaches the breaking point.
National Security,
Terrorists come from the same places as Foreign Oil.
A portion of your foreign oil dollar supports terrorism.
Dependency on Foreign Oil,
Our Foreign Oil Dependency puts our military in harms way, in
a war funded by long tem debt to China, placing our economic
future in the hands of our Foreign creditors.
Pollution
Our automobiles pollute our cites with noxious gases we call
Smog, a contraction of smoke and fog.
Global Warming.
At the same time we produce green house gasses which are
warming the planet.
You may not agree with all the problems listed here, but it is hard to imagine a reasonable person who could not agree with any of these problems. It seems any one of these problems would be enough to motivate us, as a Nation, to dramatically reduce our oil consumption.
We are racing to a critical point. Each of these problems can be traced to our lack of concern, as demonstrated by our lack of corrective action, related to excessive Oil consumption.
|
|
A Dying Industrial Town
Troy is, in some sense, my home town. I went to Troy High. The history of Troy is not unique in our nation. But it is relevant to me. Troy was an important thriving industrial town at one time. From the downtown train station, you could travel to NYC, Boston or Chicago. Trolleys filled the streets. It had theaters and parks and a National League basball team.
It makes you think about what can happen to prosperity and a way of life. Of course this video is not about what Troy is today. People still live happy lives there. But still, this video makes you think about sustainability, and the choices we've made along tthe way.
Things will change and they will change based on the choices we make.
|
Battery Technology
RAV4 EV, EV 95 battery.
There are 24 of these 12 volt batteries in the RAV4 EV providing 288 volts, 95 ah, 28Kwh and weighing about 41 lbs. for a total battery weight of about 1000 lbs.
Stan Ovshinsky filed several patents for NiMH Battery technology. He sold a 60% interest in his company, Energy Conversion Devices (ECD)/Ovonics, to GM. After suing the State of California to delay enforcement of the Zero Emissions Mandate, GM, as leases expired, recalled the EV1s and crushed them. It then sold their interest in control of Ovshinsky's Company to Chevron.
February 5, 2009
I have recently been told that my opinion that NiMh is the best battery technology is incorrect. I am afraid that in my attempt to illuminate and educate the public about an overlooked and, in my opinion, prematurely abandoned technology, I have not mentioned other valuable alternatives.
Lithium Ion, Firefly's new lighter Lead acid, LiFePO4 and super capacitors are all promising developments for energy storage. Fortunately all are being reported and investigated by the media. And, this is good thing. Unfortunately, I have never seen an accurate presentation of the importance and value of NiMh technology in the media. I have never seen a valid reason why, for example, The Chevy Volt, presented by GM to the public in January of 2007, must wait for a Lithium Ion battery breakthrough until the end of 2010 to be introduced in limited production.
So I apologize for my imbalanced presentation of the facts.
The fact is, that NiMh batteries have been in continuous production (more or less) since the first Toyota RAV4-EV used them in 1998. There is no better consumer road tested EV battery. These Panasonic batteries are in use today in the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrids among others. The chemistry used today in successful hybrids, is the same as that used in the RAV4-EV.
This not to say, that all NiMh batteries are the same or as well proven, and of the same quality. GM has shown over and over again thatt it can fail at what Toyota has succedded at. Recently (reported in June 2009), GM produced the "Mild Hybrid" sold as a real hybrid, using NiMh batteries from Cobasys. These cars were recalled because of leaking batteries.
I do not propose that any battery technology is superior to any other. Each has advantages and disadvantages. I only want to see these pros and cons played out on a level playing field. I believe NiMh has a handicap, not technology related. This handicap is not in the interest of consumers, the environment or national security.
Weight and volume
In this comparison Lithium is lighter and smaller, with Lead being heaviest and bulkiest, and Nickel being in the middle. Lithium is the best choice for a car like the Tesla Roadster. For a Family car like the RAV4-EV, Nickel is viable, as is Lead to a lesser degree.
Price
Where price is a concern, Lithium is the most expensive, with Lead being the cheapest, and Nickel being in the middle. For a high end performance car like the Tesla, Lithium is the best choice. For a family car like the RAV4-EV, Nickel is a good choice. Where price is critical, Lead AGM battery technology, such as that being developed by Firefly is promising.
Proven Technology
With the "possible" exception of lead, no technology is better proven for an EV, than NiMh as implemented by Panasonic in the EV95 battery. Lithium is enjoying a successful, but much shorter and smaller road experience trial.
Super Capacitors
All of these technologies can benefit from the synergy of super capacitors load smoothing. Super capacitors used by themselves may even have a place in the evolution of the future EV.
All technologies should participate in open and equal competition for their respective place in the future of EV propulsion.
GM Denial of NiMH Technology
The Chevron/Cobasys Story
Solar and NiMH Battery
CR NiMH
Planes, Trains and battery electric Automobiles
The Perfect Battery
GM Volt Battery Lab
Wikipedia on th RAV4 EV
RAV4 EV Owners
Their Side of the story
Owners Responce
|
Toyota on the RAV4 EV
|
"Although a significant marketing effort was undertaken for the RAV4-EV, we only sold about 300 vehicles a year. . . technical issues tied to electric vehicles remain a major hurdle. . . .It is cost-prohibitive to replace an EV battery. Although Toyota's electric vehicle sales have proved disappointing, Toyota was able to leverage valuable technology from the development and sales of the RAV4-EV. . . For example, some of the technology involved in the Hybrid Synergy Drive system on the next generation Prius came from the RAV4-EV."
How come I didn't know about the RAV4 EV, did you know about it?
RAV4 EV Manufacturer
Chevron sued Panasonic for making the EV-95 NiMH Battery and Toyota for using it in the RAV4 EV, in the amount of $30 million. Production of the EV-95 NiMH battery stopped and consequently the RAV4 EV. The RA4 EV is running today with the original batteries, many of them have over 100,000 miles.
Toyota still uses a smaller NiMH battery in their Prius and Camry Hybrids under agreements with Chevron. Toyota will not make their Hybrids plug-in without consent from Chevron. Toyota can only produce a plug-in vehicle, without permission from Chevron, when they have an alternative battery Technology, or when the NiMH patent runs out in 2014.
The events summarized here are actual history and the outcome is history. The nature of the legal complexities that motivate the players involved are speculation and not important. What is important is that we know what is possible. We know, technologically, what can be done, because it has been done. We know what the problems are that need to be solved. We know how to solve them. Finally, we know that the outcome we have is not in the best interest of this Nation.
RAV4 EV Final Fleet Report.pdf
RAV4 EV User Experiences.pdf
Doug Korthof On GM's denial of NiMH and the RAV4 EV
|
The RAV4 EV Specs PDF
RAV4 Ev with "Lone Ranger" range Extender (Serial Hybrid)
This Pull behind Generator converts the Toyota Rav4-EV into an unlimited range Serial Hybrid. The
"Spirit of DC" is an unlimited range Plug-In Parallel Hybrid conversion.
Here's the difference between a Serial Hybrid and a Parallel Hybrid. A Parallel Hybrid is like a normal car, with the gasoline engine driving the wheels mechanically through one or more of the following mechanical mechanisms like a clutch, transmission, drive shaft, differential, or Constant Velocity joints.
A serial Hybrid has a gasoline engine or some other form of Internal Combustion engine (ICE) that is not mechanically connected to the wheels in any way. It is mechanically connected to a generator that produces electricity. The ICE and generator together called a GenSet, which drives the wheels indirectly through an electrical connection to the electric motor which ultimately drives the wheels.
A Serial Hybrid is preferable because it is more efficient. Most of the mechanical drive train can be eliminated. The result is the vehicle is lighter. The ICE can be smaller because it only needs to be big enough to charge the batteries. It does not need to handle the load of starting or climbing hills. Plus, for short trips, the ICE does not need to run at all.
EV Acronyms
in the
EV Alphabet Soup
The serial hybrid is also being called and Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV). A pure Electric Vehicle is also called a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV), a term shared with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehucles (HFCV). We also have vehicles that travel less than 25 mph, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV)and Low Speed Electric Vehicles (LSEV), and vehicles that travel less than 60 mph, Urban Elecctric Vehicles (UEV). LSEVs and NEVs are often capable of higher speed, but restricted to 25 mph by a govenor, to meet legal restrictions, because of inability to meet saftey requirements at higher speeds.
Low-speed electric vehicles (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles manufactured in compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards for low-speed vehicles in 49 C.F.R. 571.500) are allowed to operate on streets and highways with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
Some states have raised the maximum speed for LSEVs to 37.5mph (60kph). Such reclassified vehicles are called Medium Speed Electric Vehicles (MSEV).
Personal opinion: LSEVs and NEVs give a bad name to Electric Vehicles in general and promote the golf cart point of view held by so many with regard to the Electric Vehicle. I mention them here for completeness and to to help sort out the confusion caused by the alphbet soup of acronyms used to characterized these various vehicles.
National Security
and
Foreign Oil Dependence
Hon. R. James Woolsey,
National Commission on Energy Policy Testimony
Before the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Government Reform
Subcommittee on Energy and Resources
April 6, 2005
Letters Written
NiMH Battery Issue
New York Times Coal Issue
CARB Issue
CARB Media Notice
CARB Issue Prolog
CARB Issue More Prolog
GM Volt Battery Lab
Bloomberg Volt and Gas Prices
Ledger "Plug-In Electric Cars Solve Problems"
Ledger "Flex-Fuel Vehicles Can Help Decrease Foreign-Oil Addiction"
Thanks to the Ledger for "Auto Battery Power Suppressed"
"Formula One, Wall Street Journal"
"Thanks to the Ledger for "'Mild Hybrid' Isn't Real Hybrid"
|
Electric
Infrastructure
|
Both Gasoline and Electric Cars are supported by an Infrastructure.
Coal
Half the power produced in this country is from sources other than coal. These inlude wind, solar, hydro electric, geo-thermal, natural gas, oil and nuclear. It is only in recent history that wind, solar and geo-thermal have come into the equation. What is important is that they are an increasing proportion of the mix. The problems of coal fired power plants are well understood. Coal is being replaced by natural gas in new plants.
In Claifornia where Electric Cars are most likely to emerge first, in large numbers, coal is not a significant part of the equation.
It is often predicted that if 100% of the cars were replaced with Electric, we would need a significant number of new Coal Powered power Plants. This is the worst case. But for argument sake, let's assume it is true. The assumption is that this would be a bad thing. All cars will not be replaced with electric cars and not all electric cars will be powered from Coal burning power plants.
But, if this did happen, we would have totally eliminated our dependence on foreign oil, reduced the price of oil and food, diverted oil dollars from funding terrorism, reduced pollution and global warming.
But still this possibility, however remote, is presented as a bad thing. Building coal fired power plants is not the best approach, but it is far superior to our current course. What the more likely outcome is, that we will not replace all our automobiles with electric cars. We will not power those electric cars from new coal burning plants but from, largely
existing, power plants
and some new power sources such as wind, solar, geo thermal, natural gas and yes, possibly, some well scrubbed coal plants.
We like to talk about transmission lines and their efficiency losses. The entire electric vehicle infrastructure has been examined in an attempt to diminish the perceived benefit of the electric car. Still, it is most efficient system of personal transportation.
"Review of solutions to global warming, air pollution, and
energy security Tools and Resources",
by Mark Z. Jacobson
|
|
Gasoline
Infrastructure
|
Refineries
We feel no obligation to examine the true cost of the gasoline car, beyond what can be measured at the tail pipe or the price of gas at the pump.
Gasoline cars require an infrastructure also. It does not hold up well, under close scrutiny. The costs to the environment and the economy are excessive. This infrastructure is the elephant in the room, that we are so accustomed to, it is taken for granted, and so unnoticed as to be invisible.
Start with the filling stations, a blight on the landscape, consuming large amounts of real estate. Creating environmental problems as ancient underground fuel storage tanks corrode and leak fuel in to the environment for years unnoticed. Now costing excessively to correct.
With the filling stations comes the advertising along our highways indicating distance to the next filling station. One for each brand.
Highways traveled by gasoline fuel tankers delivering gasoline to all these filling stations. These vehicles themselves consuming fuel and producing emissions.
Pipelines traversing the landscape delivering crude oil from ports to refineries or from oil fields to refineries. Pumps are required to move the oil through these pipelines.
We can't ignore the issue of how that oil gets to the port so it can be pipelined to the refineries. The transoceanic Tanker consuming fuel and producing emissions of its own. We can only hope there are no spills on the way.
Refineries themselves consuming energy and polluting as they refine crude oil.
The infrastructure behind the gasoline car is massive and dedicated. It has no other purpose. Unlike the electric infrastructure which services home, industry, public transportation and, potentially, personal transportation.
Don't let anyone tell you; "The Electric Car is the same as a Gasoline car, it just has a longer tail pipe." The gasoline car has a tailpipe supported by an infrastructure consuming oil and producing emissions at every step in the process. Just because the infrastructure is in place and we live with and accept its consequences on the environment, doesn't mean we can ignore the cost in comparisons with the Electric Car.
Cost of Gasoline
Tax payers pay for gasoline not jus at the pump but in their income taxes. The government pays the oil Industry huge subsidies for exploration, refineries etc. This hidden cost hides the true cost of gasoline and, as high as it is, and makes it seem more tolerable. So we can go on consuming bravely, regardless of the consequences.
|
Why Electric
Tell Me About the Power Grid
Motives of EV Adversaries
Breaking News
|
Toyota may have GMitus
|
|
"battery breakthroughneeded", AP
"A Toyota executive overseeing research said Thursday a A battery breakthrough is needed for electric vehicles to become mainstream"
We have heard this from GM executives since before the Volt announcement in January of 2007 untill just recently. It looks like Toyota has picked up the baton.
"after the batteries are depleted on a plug-in hybrid they become a heavy “boat anchor”", NY Times
Our new, largest Auto Manufacturer, seems to have contracted the same disease as our old, largest Auto Manufacturer.
If the battery is a boat anchor, at the end of its range, what is the engine and transmission, while within the battery
range?
A properly designed car minimizes the weight of both and is optimized for the most common requirement of the owner. In a car driven mostly extended distances, a battery is a boat anchor, and a plug-in is not required.
But most drivers, drive under 40 miles per day, in which case, an unnecessarily heavy engine and transmission, are the boat
anchor.
A paralle Hybrid is a refinement of a fossil fuel driven car. A series or serial Hybrid is a refinement of an electric car.
A parallel Hybrid suffers from all the weight and cost of any fossil fuel driven car, plus the burden of battery and electric motor.
Indeed the engine and transmission are the boat anchor in these cars.
A series Hybrid achieves far greater efficiency for local driving and carries a much lighter and more efficient Genset to
provide extended range for the annual trip to Grandma's house.
Although Project Better Place is an admirable model, Battery Swap stations across the geographic landscape of the U.S. is a
major challenge. Another alternative would be series Hybrids with optional Gensets and Genset Swap stations. Far fewer swaps required.
All year long, local driving
can be done without the weight of the Genset. Then, when it is time for the annual trip to Grandma's, you go to the swap station, swap-in the Genset and start out to Grandma's. No need to stop except for fossil fuel for the Genset. til you get there.
|
The White House
A new High Speed Rail Plan, something you won't see on the evening news.
"Taken for a Ride"
The role of GM in how we got here.
Buy it from New Day Films.
Alternative Energy Options by Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford.
Web
(Energy and vehicle options, from best to worst)
|
|
1. Wind-BEVs (battery electric vehicles)
|
|
2. wind-HFCVs (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles)
|
|
3.CSP-BEVs
|
|
4. geothermal-BEVs
|
|
|
|
5. tidal-BEVs
|
|
6. solar PV-BEVs
|
|
7. Wave-BEVs
|
|
8.hydroelectric-BEVs
|
|
9-10. a tie between nuclear-BEVs and coal-CCS-BEVs
|
|
11. corn-E85
|
|
12.cellulosic-E85.
|
|
|
|
Larry Wexler's "Solar Cycle
is capable of indefinitely maintaining a speed of 40 mph during daylight and attaining speeds of up to 85 mph. Larry is a contender for Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Competition.
Los Angeles Times
This brutally honest article about the Tesla Roadster in the Los Angeles Times by DAN NEIL gives the straight scoop on this highly acclaimed car. But still, the Tesla Roadster comes through.
Ford, without a lot of fus, has been working on Plug-In vehicles.
For GM new may be old Plug-In vehicles. (9 Min. Video)
|
eVaro (EV Advanced Regeneration Onboard)
|
This from George Parker:
From: george
To: Al Lococo
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 10:37 PM
Subject: Re: Emailing: The problem
Al, thanks for your reply, I think it's important to recognise anyone who
takes on building a car from the ground up, also as you know if the big three
can't build an electric car then it will take people like you and I to encourage
the public just how easy it is and what is the problem with the auto manufactures
that they keep going backwards.
cheers
George
eVaro Flyer
eVaro Web Page
|
China to the Rescue
Something you may not know about The Bailout (Batteries Included)
Funding for banks has been getting a lot of attention lately, but the historic Congressional bailout package also delivered a victory for plug-ins, another demonstration that PIA's (Plug-in America) advocacy is paying off.
The package included a federal tax credit starting at $2,500 for vehicles with battery packs holding a minimum of 4 kWh of energy. The credit increases $417 for every additional kilowatt hour to a maximum of $7,500. The Chevy Volt would qualify for the maximum credit, so if GM can bring it in at $35,000, consumers could pay less than $30,000 for a plug-in car.
|
|
|
Chrysler steals Thunder from Volt!
Mercedes sues Chevron
GM lowers expectations for hybrid fuel savings
"We strongly discourage NHTSA from applying either PHEV or EREV technology in any significant volume in its ... model during the 2011-2015 timeframe."
|
Broken News
McCain plan: $300 million prize
|
“McCain plan: $300 million prize for better car battery”
The $300 million prize for a better car battery is not necessary. What we need are plug-in cars, PHEVs and BEVs. When do we need 'em, now! How do we get 'em, with the proper incentives, properly administered. Part of McCain's Plan is a $5,000 tax credit for ZEVs (Zero Emissions Vehicles). Unlike the $300 million prize, a move in the right direction.
For example, we have a $1,000 Hybrid incentive. What does GM do? They build a "Mild Hybrid" to qualify for the incentive. That's how they compete. If the incentive were properly administered, the "Mild Hybrid" wouldn't qualify, and they wouldn't build it.
The government introduces a small businesses incentive for vehicles weighing over 6,000 pounds, GM introduces the Hummer. This incentive peaked at $125,000 in 2007.
"The Hummer incentive"
Do incentives work, you bet they do.
The first task of the current administration, was to dismantle incentives that favored BEVs and Hybrids. The BEV incentive was dropped and the Hybrid research program was converted to a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program.
A 10,000 or $20,000 or more incentive per vehicle would go a long way towards getting PHEVs and BEVs on the road. Too bad the government can't do for electric vehicles what it did for the Hummer The incentive should be ramped so that as the population of PHEVs and BEVs increases, the incentives are reduced. This will motivate buyers to get in early.
Too bad our candidates don't understand the capabilities of the technologies we already have and the power of incentives to apply these technologies to the problem at hand.
Plug in, we have the technology and Toyota RAV4 is the proof. Not to mention the AC Propulsion, E-Box and the Tesla roadster.
How about the AFS Trinity? This Super capacitor PHEV is on the road.
"AFS Trinity PDF"
"AFS Trinity Video"
Technology we have. Politicians who understand the technology and the power of incentives we don't have.
|
|
Broken News
that Might Surprise You!
|
GM Goes After COBASYS!
GM set to buy hybrid battery supplier
The right move for the wrong reason. The Saturn "Mild Hybrids" are not what we need. The failure of 9,000 Cobasys NiMH batteries in GM's Green Washed Saturn's is not the motive we were hoping for. We wanted to see a near term Plug-In vehicle with Panasonic EV-95 or Gold Peak NiMH batteries. Sadly, this acquisition makes that no more likely.
Unfortunately, it turns out that not all NiMH batteries are the same. The Panasonic 10ah NiMH batteries used in real Hybrids (those that have an electric drive and can be converted to Plug-In Hybrids) don't leak and last forever. Toyota boasts, they have never replaced a Prius Hybrid battery under warrantee (7 years). The EV-95 NiMH batteries from Panasonic used in the Toyota RAV4-EV have lasted 10 years and are still going.
Picture this, a car with all the features of an SUV, A/C, stereo system, Power - seats, windows and door locks etc. Best of all it uses no gas. Of course, it has no engine or any other means of propulsion. Well, a "Mild Hybrid" has all the features of a Hybrid but no electric motor. When is a car not a car, when it has no means of propulsion. When is a Hybrid not a Hybrid, when it's a "Mild Hybrid".
What does Chevron like better than a "Mild Hybrid" that can't be converted to a Plug-in Hybrid, a "Mild Hybrid" with leaking NiMH batteries.
It is strange that the company who made the EV1, with large format NiMH batteries that never leaked, and traveled over a hundred miles on a charge, can't make a small NiMH battery operated electric air conditioner.
So is it possible to make a real Plug-In Hybrid? In addition to numerous conversions of Toyota Prius Hybrids with a top speed in all electric mode of under 40 MPH we have two such cars from AFS Trinity. They are the XH-150 (Extreme Hybrid, 150 MPG) with a top speed of 87 MPH.
AFS Trinity XH150
AFS Trinity XH150 Video
|
News and Editorial Links
mitsubishi-out-to-prove-that-electric-cars-wont-explode-when-driving-through-water
Union of Concerned Scientists, CARB News Link
Bloomberg on the Volt Link
Bloomberg on the Gas Prices Link
Dude, Where’s My Electric Car!?! by Matt Coker
Laatest CARB News
Local News
"Truth or Consequences" from the NY Times
"US Gasloline is a Bargin" from Bloomberg
"Well sports fans, if you think Hybrid technology is a passing fad, read this." from the WS Journal
"RFK II on Energy" from Vanity Fair
"Energy Policy And The Electric Car"
"Second Look
FINALLY, SOMETHING OF SUBSTANCE, from the WS Journal
Rod Hunter,
Thank you for "The Market Is Responding to the Oil Shock", the most intelligent opinion I have seen in the WSJ on the subject of high oil prices.
Cheers,
Al Lococo
www.evprogress.org
Celebrity Video Links
Tom Hanks with letterman on RAV4 EV and Prius
Tom Hanks News
Tom Hanks Part 2 News
Jay Leno Tesla EV
Jay Leno Mini EV
Jay Leno EV from the past
President Bush EV News
Economics of the EV
A Moment of Transformation? Shai Agassi (25 min - Mar 12, 2008)
A Moment of Transformation? Amory Lovins (1 hr 1 min - Mar 12, 2008)
Charles Whalen on Peak Oil
|
The rising price of Fuel and Food in our Oil Based Economy.
|
King Corn
The production of corn is a petroleum based fuel intensive process. Fuel is used to plow, sow, fertilize ( fertilizer production itself is fuel intensive), application of insecticide ( again a fuel intensive product), harvesting, trucking to the silo, loading with grain elevator. shipping by rail to food processing plant and shipping by truc k to supermarket. All highly petroleum based fuel intensive steps in a complex food production system.
When fuel prices rise,
the price of corn rises.
The supermarket has 2,500 products made from corn. Not just the obvious ones like corn flakes, but things like beef and milk come from corn fed cows. Soft drinks, candy, cookies etc. are sweetened with corn syrup.
When corn prices rise,
the price of food rises.
Using corn to produce Ethanol raises the price of corn at the food processing plant and the supermarket.
We should not have to choose between putting food an the table
or Etanol in our gas tank.
Corn Ethanol diverts corn from the food supply. This increases demand for other grain commodities such as rice, wheat and soy. Because we are an exporter of corn, this increases world wide demand and prices for these commodities.
When corn ethanol production increases,
the price of all food commodities rise.
The only way to break the cycle of rising prices is to reduce demand for oil dramatically. Ethanol has little or no payback and its use contributes to rising food prices. Although, cellulosic ethanol made from saw grass and/or switch grass requires very little fuel input for its production, this alternative is not yet available. The Battery Electric Vehicle is our best solution.
King Corn
More King Corn
Read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan - his chapters on corn and agribusiness are important to understanding the rising price of food in our Oil Based Economy.
|
Bioelectricity Rather Than Ethanol Article
Bioelectricity Rather Than Ethanol Paper
|
The Inflexibility of Flex Fuel
Facts of Fuel Life
that Might Surprise You!
|
|
Flex fuel vehicles use Gasoline, Ethanol, Diesel or BioDiesel Fuels.
The problem is, that you must own two automobiles to use all four fuels.
The flex fuel vehicle is really a dual fuel vehicle.
One of those fuels is petrolem derived, which is the source of the problem we are trying to solve with the flex fuel vehicle.
So, if you are buying a flex fuel vehicle to have a positive effect on our Foreign Oil Dependence, your flex fuel vehicle is really just a single fuel bio fuel vehicle.
Diesel + Electricity = biomass (Corn or Soy) = BioFuel (Ethanol or BioDiesel)
= poor fuel economy (MPG).
Depending on which data source you use, estimates are that it takes the equivilalent of one third to one half a gallon of gasoline to produce a bushel of corn and almost three bushels of Corn to produce a gallon of poor fuel economy Ethanol.
You do the math.
The Electric car is a true flex fuel vehicle.
It uses electricity directly from local wind or solar, or indirectly from wind, solar, geo thermal, Hydro, oil, natural gas, coal or nuclear via the grid.
|
EVs
DIY Pickup
Professional Conversion Pickup
Production Pickup
DIY SUV
Professional Conversion SUV
Production SUV
Professional Conversion Mini-Van
Production Roadster
Spark EV Production Vehicle Scam
Visit Plug-in America
Visit Plug-in America RAV4 EV page
Plug-in Partners Video
Plug-in Partners Web Site
|
2008 Dodge Magnum 4-door Sport Wagon
What ever happened to the "Station Wagon"?
|
|
|
This is a picture of the doge Sport Wagon. We don't call it a "Station Wagon" any more because that implies a transportation system of which the car is only a part. Today the car is the system. The "Station Wagon" implies that you use the car locally, and when you want to leave town, you drive to the station, leave the car there and take the train. The EV is perfect in this kind of a system.
We are very busy dismantling our rail system and turning the right-of-way into bicycle paths. This may be the new mode of transportation if we don't reduce our dependency on oil.
|
|
What about Fuel Cells?
|
What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle? Well, it is an electric car like any other electric car, except that it does not need batteries to store electricity. Like the space station, it makes electricity from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and a super capacitor. The super capacitor is used to store the regenerative braking energy when slowing the car so it can be used when you need extra power for acceleration (more power than the fuel cell can deliver quickly).
The most common and efficient way to make hydrogen is refining hydrogen from fossil fuel, usually natural gas. This is an energy intensive process that yields a volume of hydrogen containing less energy than the energy used to produce it.
Hydrolysis is often suggested as convenient way to convert water to Hydrogen and Oxygen. This process is less efficient than refining fossil fuels. Once the Hydrogen is liberated from the water it must be compressed. The combined process yields a volume of Hydrogen with an amount of energy equivalent to about 65% of the energy used to create it. The fuel cell itself is only 65% efficient and the electric motor is 90% efficient. The result is 38% of the energy used to create the hydrogen gets converted back to drive the car.
By contrast, in a battery electric car, the battery is over 90% efficient and the electric motor is 90% efficient for a combined efficiency of 81%. The result is that an electric car uses twice as much of the electricity used to charge the batteries to move the car, when compared to a Hydrogen Fuel Cell car.
Fuel Cell cars take several minutes to start, they don’t tolerate cold well, and vibration makes their membranes rupture. Because of the low energy density of Hydrogen, fuel cell cars have no advantage in range over an electric car. Because of limited availability of Hydrogen refueling stations, are limited as to where they can be used. And finally they are half as efficient as battery electric cars at using electricity. If fossil fuels are used to create the hydrogen, what is the point? Why not use the fossil fuel to drive the car?
Now, here is an interesting question. Why would automobile manufacturers make fuel cell vehicles and not battery electric vehicles? The answer is, incentives. The Bush Administration replaced battery electric vehicle incentives and Hybrid research incentives with Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research incentives. Auto manufacturers are being subsidized to develop Hydrogen vehicles.
We are told fuel cell vehicles are zero emissions vehicles that produce only clean water as exhaust. At the same time we are told that electric cars actually burn coal because they use electricity from coal burning plants. For some reason it is not popular to talk about the electricity used to make Hydrogen and compress it. When electricity is used, the method of preference in such discussions because it is so widely available, Hydrogen cars use twice the electricity and thus twice the coal if coal is used to generate the electricity.
In the advertising for Hydrogen cars we hear about hydrogen produced from electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, wind and geo thermal. But Battery electric cars are always portrayed as being charged with electricity from coal fired plants.
|
|
|
These web sites and their owners do not necessarily endorse this web site and are in no way responsible for its content.
Suncoast EVA
Tallahassee Area EVA
Florida EAA
EAA
Plug In America
Plug In Partners
ev1.org
Doug Korthof
driving the future
Ford Ranger EV
evnut.com
The Ranger Station
Mailing List
There is, in Polk County, Florida, the beginning of an Electric Vehicle Movement. Currently, it is manifested in the PolkEVA mailing List at evprogress.org.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
To unsubscribe to the list, send a message to:
Opinions
Do you have opinions or ideas? I'm interested in connecting with like minded people. My email address is "al" at you know where or use the form below. We are in a transition to a new economy free from foreign oil dependency. It is already started. Be an EV angel-ist. Spread the word. Let me know if you want your thoughts posted here.
Al:
I met you at the Sarasota show. I was wearing a straw hat, my wife and young daughter were with me. I studied your article and was impressed, of course. You did a great job on your EV! Its a great inspiration. I wanted to do this but am afraid its probably beyond my abilities and patience. I would love to have your truck.
One question. Why doesn't the electric motor need a clutch to change gears? How do you disengage the trans from the spinning shaft when you want to shift?
Tom Whitlow
--------------
Tom,
The primary reason for the clutch is that the engine turns when you are stopped. Without a clutch, it would stall.
In an electric car, the motor stops turning when you stop. No clutch required for stopping.
In any standard transmission car the gears are synchromesh. This means you can engage a pair of gears even though they are spinning at different speeds, within reason.
If you shift at a the right speed, you will have no problem.
Finally, shifting is almost unnecessary. You need to put it in reverse to backup and I use second gear, almost exclusively, when going forward. I have used third gear at higher speeds, like 50 or 55. But, even this is not absolutely necessary.
Cheers,
Al Lococo
Hi Al,
My Name is Mark Reynolds. I am an engineer in San Jose California who has an
interest in seeing useful EV's come to fruition for all the reasons you have
summarized on your site.
I recently referred a Wall Street Journal journalist to your site who has
recently authored an article on 25 mph NEV's, and she actually wrote back to me.
NEV's are great for limited applications in dense cities, but I fear they
also perpetuate the notion to the uninformed citizen that EV's are all as
limited as a golf cart is. I'd wager that, for this reason, the usual anti-EV
suspects are delighted to see NEV's appear so as to convince casual observers
that EV's are not feasible. Her article was very supportive of NEV's.
Original Article
Up until now there has been no chance of overcoming the entities that are
suppressing the EV, but the Internet may change the status quo with web sites
such as yours if enough people are adequately informed.
Let's hope.
BTW, I electrified my bicycle with a powerful but completely silent 3-phase
brushless/gearless wheel hub motor. Recently I saw a concept car on the
internet that has a hub motor for each wheel. I think it was a Volvo. Depending on
the unsprung mass presented by the car version of the wheel hub motor to the
vehicle suspension, this could be a good thing.
Sincerely,
Mark
Al,
EV's are ready now. Most families have two cars, and they replace one of them every few years. Often one family member works fairly close to home. Frequently it's the wife...
Lead/Acid is heavier, with lower speed/range per volume/weight, but its much cheaper so its a good starter pack. If upgrading to LiFePO4, it may be useful to parallel a small lead/acid pack of the same voltage for accelleration, as lead's stong point is high discharge amps.
For lots of stop-and-go traffic, Re-gen being paralleled with super-capacitors is showing some promise, batteries can't absorb regen fast enough without S-caps, so most regen is lost.
An EV with an optional series-hybrid trailer for longer trips is the best solution for most people IMHO. I'm glad to see it highlighted here, great site!
spinningmagnets
Hi Al,
I met you at the Lakeland Democrats Club last week. Thanks for showing me your car. I saw the following as a letter to the Editor in the Tampa Tribune today (6/9/08) You are not alone!
Electric Car Redux
Tampa Tribune
Original Article
Al, thanks.
When I think what has become of our country (Oil dependence, and no plan
"b"), I am simply beyond angry. So mad, that 3 weeks ago, I began to Google
to see what options were out there for the common citizen. I have read a
lot, learned a lot, but I get a shock each time I change a light bulb( not
good with electricity).
I fear we are out of time, and a national calamity awaits us all. The 1st
named storm this summer will likely kill the economy (maybe not, I hope
not); there is so much speculation in the oil markets, and no end in sight.
think this is a serious subject, unfortunately not many posting at the Ledger seem to understand the problem or they would have voiced their concern.
I think Bush’s Energy Proposal demonstrates just how out of touch he and apparently his administration really are.
We are headed for a recession; I believe investment in America and American technology is a way out.
Al, you are a great example of what makes this such a wonderful country! With the ingenuity and determination that you and your friends have demonstrated we will whip the Oil Cartel in short order!!
A plug-in electric flex fuel hybrid is what I want for my next car. Hopefully it won't be long before we see them on the market at lower prices.
Provide your Opinion using the form below: Please Click Submit when finished.
|
About Al Lococo
|
The information, experiences and opinions expressed on this web site are produced by Al Lococo. Lococo converted his first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in September of 1979 in response to the fuel crisis at the time. In response to the current crisis, he has converted his second award winning BEV appearing in issue 12 of "Intersection", the London based International magazine.
Lococo has no product for sale and seeks no monetary contributions or reimbursement for his efforts. His goal is to provide detailed information on all aspects of the subject of Electric vehicles in a form that can be put to use by those so inclined.
It is intended that this web site be as exhaustive as possible in presenting every aspect of the current energy crisis and its impact on the economy, national security, the war and the environment.
Lococo is a member of the Florida Electric Automobile Association (FLEAA). The information, experiences and opinions presented on this web site are his and his responsibility only. Although you will find links to other organizations and institutions, they do not endorse this web site and are in no way affiliated.
Lococo is a retired Computer Operating Systems software Designer. Most of his career was spent writing specifications for large computing systems software. He is also a Advanced class Amateur radio operator licensed by the FCC. He is not a mechanic or an engineer.
|
|
|
Created by Al Lococo
This site has been visited
times.
©2007 Al Lococo. All rights reserved.
