Recent Comments:
AFVI 2008: Miles, GEM and Phoenix share EV product line-ups {Autoblog Green}
May 15th 2008 5:57PM I'm sure there's a fundamental law of economics that causes endless delays in building a highway-capable EV with ~100-mile range to market at roughly $35,000. The battery pack alone has to run between $10 and $20K for this Camry-sized car.
If Miles can pull this off, it will be a significant coup.
Pakistani car company buys Canadian NEV-maker Dynasty {Autoblog Green}
May 15th 2008 2:13PM Here's a description from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEV
There are a number of useful links on the page as well.
AFVI 2008: Dymac EVs enter the market with low-complexity, lower-cost models {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 8:35PM * But where are they going with a 30 mile range?? *
Once again, these aren't intended to be road-going vehicles. There are thousands of applications where gas and diesel trucks are used where this vehicle would do nicely and 30 miles would be plenty.
Think farms and nurseries, factory complexes, hospital campuses, schools and universities, resorts, theme parks, corporate parks, regional airports. These would be great for lawn care, maintenance, shuttling people around on a campus, etc.
Volt mules are meeting EV-only target range {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 6:58PM Saw an article a few weeks ago that claimed that the 40-mile figure is dependent on regen braking. An excerpt:
"Meanwhile, GM engineers are counting on braking to capture energy that will deliver some 20 percent of the power needed for the Volt's 40-mile battery range. Without any braking -- in perfectly traffic-free highway driving -- the range would be closer to 32 miles, GM engineers said."
Full story:
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=OBR&Date=20080403&ID=8438985&Symbol=GM
VIDEO: San Francisco mayor in talks with Project Better Place {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 5:46PM * 1. Don't think PBP is a good thing! *
I disagree, unless the PBP infrastructure is proprietary and will only work with cars under their plan. Without government or a company fronting the money for the necessary charging network, EVs will only be useful to a select group, largely in rural and suburban housing.
PBP is planning to install 500,000 charging points and a smaller number of battery transfer stations in Israel. Who will convert parking meters to EV charging points and install outdoor plugs in parking garages/lots and condo/apartment complexes without a PBP-like scheme?
If they get the ball rolling, it can only be a positive for the concept as a whole.
Solomon Tech's appeal in Toyota hybrid patent case denied {Autoblog Green}
May 13th 2008 10:07PM You both need to learn about patents! If you invent a product or technology OR hold the patent, you are entitled to royalties if that product is manufactured or a technology is used during the time that the patent is active. Period.
You absolutely do not have to build the products yourself to qualify. In this case, Solomon Technologies did try to market the "Electric Wheel", a power, variable transmission and generator device for hybrid vehicles, to automakers during the 90s.
They currently have marine applications in use and a simplified version has been used by NASA on the Mars Rover.
Solomon presented a case that the Toyota PSD is remarkably similar in design, components and function to their design. The ITC (Int'l Tade Commission) did not find in their favor and they have appealed due to the fact that the ITC interpreted the patent to apply only to a device that runs at peak power, which it does not.
Tuk Tuk coming to American roads near you? {Autoblog Green}
May 12th 2008 9:30PM Maybe the title is misleading people. These will never be true road cars or commuting vehicles for suburbanites.
Expect to see these at resorts, theme parks, campuses, etc. Some people are getting their panties in a twist over nothing!
Renault's electric car debuts in Tel Aviv {Autoblog Green}
May 11th 2008 11:04PM To Ping:
Define "cheap". The Project Better Place business model is to lease the car, batteries and provide the electricity for a set number of miles, much like cellphone contracts.
An excerpt from a PBP forum (Deutsche Bank analysis):
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We finally found out the bottom line of the PBP business model.
According to three DB experts, a $550 a month fee for 18000 miles traveled makes the PBP's business model a viable one. This means $0.35/mile.
Included in this fee is the cost of the car (a free car will be delivered by PBP), battery leasing and the cost of electricity.
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Fuel is much more expensive in Israel and the European nations, so this may be a heck of a deal for them, environmental benefits aside.
UQM introduces new 125kW electric motor {Autoblog Green}
May 10th 2008 11:30AM You might want to actually read the article. The motor was developed for an electric drive subcompact and will offer plenty of power for that application.
LA traffic lighter thanks to high gas prices, Americans driving less {Autoblog Green}
May 9th 2008 2:10PM @ Matthijs
You can't directly compare the US to Europe without considering all the factors: wages, cost-of-living, government policies, etc.
Your minimum wage is double ours ($11.75 v.s. $5.85) and average wages in Holland are roughly 50% greater. You pay far more in taxes, but also receive far more in social benefits. Health care alone is a huge factor where Europeans are all covered throughout their lives, but Americans either pay privately, get coverage through employers or, for millions like me, have no medical coverage at all and pay out-of-pocket.
Our fuel may be cheap by comparison, yet if our government added on $4/gallon in taxes, we'd be right up there with Europe.
