Electric Cars Get Real
December 8, 2008
After some slow and false starts with “cars” like the ZAP from China, it seems that electric cars are becoming real-world practical. Tesla’s $100k+ sports car isn’t real world for most of us, and the ZAPs don’t seem to be holding up to their claims.
This bothered one guy (who had wasted $100k investing in a dealership for the ZAP/Xebra and never even getting ONE car from them,) so much that he decided to take matters into his own hands. The result was the Triac, built by combining the efforts and design abilities of the US and China. His company is appropriately named Green Vehicles, out of California.
The Triac is an ultra-modern 3-wheel vehicle with a top speed of about 80 mph, and a range of 70 miles between charges. It’s a 2-seater with room for some cargo in back. The Triac comes in at a base price just under $23,0000 USD.
Green Vehicles has two other models available as well. Their Buckshot is also a trike, with the single wheel forward, allowing the two rear wheels to hold the payload of an open cargo bed. The extra-cab design gives the driver or passenger a bit more comfortable seating than similar models from ZAP provided. Sticker shock is $21,995
Green Vehicles’ final offer of this year is the Moose. This time, they’ve opted for four wheels on the ground, and made an electric cargo van. This could be popular for local deliveries and even a budding family. Its 60 mile range is reasonable, and the price is a mere $12,995.
A more attractive and practical vehicle showed up in Paris this year at the car shows. South Africa has offered up the very competitive Joule from Optimal Energy. This is a 6-seater that goes 84 mph, 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds, and has a standard 125 mile range, (250 mile range optional) and 7 hour recharge time on Lithium Ion batteries (at 220 volts AC). Obviously, it’s right up there with most gas cars in terms of performance, space, etc. — without the gas tank or tailpipe. Ready for the kicker? $24,618 USD (presumably FOB South Africa). How do they do it? The designer genius being the Joule is amongst the most convincing aspects. Keith Helfet, who designed Jaguar’s F-type and XK220 is the man, and the car is his baby. Read more
Back To The Future
December 6, 2008
A mechanic friend just sent me an email full of pictures and descriptions of a Dodge sedan that had been lovingly owned by a veterinarian who died about 8 years after buying the car new — in 1940. The car was safely put up in a garage, where it remained until it was discovered some 60 years later. I was hoping he was telling me he’d acquired this vehicle, but just being able to see the pictures is both moving and educating.
It was truly spacious and elegant. The highly detailed interior was made to blend harmoniously throughout. In short, the car was magnificent, a very comfortably functional piece of art… one of 87,000 such cars built in Detroit in 1939. Suspension was apparently already capable of making for a very comfortable ride, even on dirt roads. The car came with a 217 cubic inch 87 HP engine, a radio and an ashtray, floating hydraulic brakes, electric start, and much attention was paid to the little details that make such a car so wonderful.
So all those features were already available in 1940. What have we REALLY invented to improve it since? Heat & refrig? Big deal. The STRUCTURAL, functional part of the automobile was already largely done. And look at how simple and clean the motor is!
All of that was accomplished between the Model-A Fords of 1903 and 1927, and the Dodge of 1940?
THE TIMELINE TRANSITION: Museum Restorations of a 1903 Ford Model-A, and a 1928 Ford Model-A (first row)
an unrestored 1940 Dodge Deluxe Sedan, and that Deluxe Sedan’s Dashboard (second row)
In comparison, we haven’t done anything since, really. The only real differences are found in plastic cosmetics (that most certainly wouldn’t have survived 60 or more years as these cars have done.)
Now let’s put it into perspective. In 1929, the U.S. stock market crashed. In 1937, the first wave of that depression ended, only to resurface in 1938 and continue until the beginning of our involvement in WWII in 1941. The government’s war spending signaled the official end of the Depression years. So the changes between the 1903 Model A and the 1928 Model A happened during the inflationary times just before the market crashed… and the beautiful Dodge was built during the years of the Great Depression itself!
What this demonstrates is that we can make huge strides, innovate, towards alternative energy cars, when and if we want to. A weak economy won’t stop creative, innovative minds from developing these technologies. Rather, Necessity may bring about many Inventions.
Now is the time for us to put on the thinking caps and tool kits. Now is the time for us to create the technologies that will carry us out of the fossil fuel era and into the far greater things we can do, and better ways we can be.
Solar Chargers For Your Portable Electronics
December 5, 2008
If you’ve got a cell phone, for example, chances are pretty good that you’ve been on the phone during a busy day and gotten that pestering BEEP! which informs you that you’re almost out of battery power. You try to talk faster, try to get a word in edgewise, to warn the caller, but before you can finish the call — nothing. Dead. Gone. Run to the charger in the car? Run to the charger in the house? And if you’re out camping, or don’t care to be attached to the car battery? Leaving the car running to recharge your phone just isn’t always possible, even if it wasn’t expensive and wasteful and polluting.
Brunton has your solution. Small solar chargers, designed to be flexible and portable, can recharge your phone, your MP3 player, your iPod, your digital camera, portable GPS, camcorder… When you think of all the gadgets and devices we have these days, it’s pretty crazy to NOT have a solar powered charger along. Even if the sky is overcast, these Brunton chargers will still be able to charge your devices back up.
There are several models. Some can even be linked together to make a more powerful array and recharge your toys and tools faster. One of them is specifically designed to keep your iPod powered up all vacation long! Go over to ChangeForGreen.com and check out the solar chargers. Make your energy solutions Green!
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To Make An Omelette (Part 2 of 2)
December 5, 2008
VIDEO: Full of Hot Air?
(Continued from Dec. 4, 2008′s “Bustin’ Some Eggs” in the Energy News section)
Fuel prices have fallen sharply. Earlier this year, we saw $150 a barrel for crude, and over $4 a gallon at the pumps. In the past quarter, that has dropped to just over $41 a barrel (yesterday) and gasoline is well below $2 a gallon all across the nation. A part of this is supply and demand, but we would be foolish not to recognize that it’s the only smart strategy left for oil producing nations. When gasoline was crushing our budgets, causing everything we buy to increase dramatically, it seems we finally found wisdom, realized that we cannot afford this petroleum addiction. By keeping gas prices low, the oil producers hope out of sight will be out of mind, and we’ll forget the lessons of the first half of this year. We must not allow ourselves to be lulled into a false sense of security. Of course OPEC would rather have $40 a barrel than nothing for their oil. Once we are independent of their petrol, it will be nearly worthless, so they’ll do whatever it takes to keep us strung along. It is on us not to forget, to continue to develop alternative energy solutions as though our lives depended upon it. They do.
No transition happens without growing pains. You’ve gotta break some eggs to make an omelette, as they say. Let’s begin to see these pains as a badge of honor, a first-hand proof that we’re growing past the juvenile fossil fuel existence that brought us out of the Dark Ages. The time has come for us to leave that in our past as we head into maturity. Let us not look upon solar panels and wind turbines as eyesores, but as a symbol of our freedom from dependence upon foreign oil, our liberation from the filthy toxic pollution that threatens our very existence. Indeed, we’re going through some growing pains but, if you’ll pardon the mixing of metaphors, we’re on our way to making one beautiful and delicious omelette.
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Busting Some Eggs (Part 1 of 2)
December 4, 2008
Ever since Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” came out in 2006, the movement to get us off of fossil fuels has been rapidly gaining momentum. In just two short years, and despite an administration that is obviously and decidedly interested in keeping us burning gasoline, we’ve seen solar technologies take off, wind turbine farms explode, and a plethora of other alternative resources and technologies coming forth. Some are future science at best, while others are very well grounded, sensible solutions that we can implement today.
The Pickens Plan, instituted by a former oil baron billionaire who sees the need for the United States to free itself from dependence upon foreign oil, has garnered some attention by suggesting that we burn our own nation’s natural gas instead of sending out 700 billion dollars a year to foreign countries. It’s likely that a good share of his intention was to get a grass-roots movement behind switching to natural gas, but he also has investments in wind farms. What’s more important, though, is that his website, which was set up to be an open forum for exploring ideas, has brought a wealth of alternative energy technologies to light, and inspired scores of other ideas as well. Some are admittedly tin-foil cap, but other possibilities, such as functional electric and compressed-air cars, have stepped to the forefront because of the site.
The general public is developing a Green consciousness. This is happening so rapidly in some areas that it seems to support the 99th Monkey theory. Of a sudden, large numbers of people speak in terms of electric cars as a foregone conclusion. Most include them in any possibility of a bailout program for the ailing auto manufacturing industry. New ideas are being met with curiosity rather than pessimistic suspicion… and all of this is happening while it seems our nation and the entire world may be on a swift downhill slide towards another great depression.
Read Part 2, “To Make An Omelette” in the Wheels section
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Hawaii Backs Electric Cars
December 3, 2008
A couple of days ago, Hawaii’s government and the Hawaiian Electric Company endorsed pursuing electric vehicles and the technologies and infrastructure that would make it happen. Amongst important features named were that the batteries be swappable, and that their recharging be Intelligent. Behind this concept is Shai Agassi, previously a Silicon Valley computer code exec who seems to know how to get things done.
The intrastructure plan is to team up tens of thousands of recharging stations via the Internet, creating a network that will make plug-in electric cars a real-world solution. Hawaii is not alone in saluting the plan. Agassi has gathered an ever-growing list of approvals, from national governments to regional planning groups and, of course, a major automobile manufacturer who hopes to step in and provide the cars. Other endorsing nations include Australia, Denmark, and Israel. Renault-Nissan is on board to develop a plug-in vehicle with a range of more than 100 miles, and to begin offering them before January 1, 2011. They are preparing to perform testing in 2009, and begin widespread commercial sales of the cars in 2012.
So far, Agassi’s contacts have saluted to the tune of 1.2 billion dollars in private international financing. It would seem he has his eye on the long-term profits as well. “I believe the new asset class is batteries,” he said. “When you have a driver in a car using a battery, nobody is going to cut their subscription and stop driving.” While that may not be the altruistic message we’d hoped for, it shows that he has the business savvy to make this project financially enticing to investors who might otherwise shy away from such an endeavor. He calculates that even if gas prices continue to drop, the electric cars and his recharging network will continue to be competitive in island economies, and become affordable for the mainland as well, as the project takes off.
Agassi is entirely correct about electric cars being ideal for island environments. People don’t often drive more than 100 miles, costs of fuel and vehicles are high, and people don’t drive very fast even when they can. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric Company is wisely seeing this as an opportunity to develop renewable energy sources that they could then connect to the electric grid to provide the necessary power for Agassi’s company, Better Place, and their recharging network.
Agassi seems to be everywhere with this vision. Earlier this year, mayors within the Bay Area cities, including San Francisco, gave their nod to Better Place’s concept of creating an electric recharging network with half a million recharging stations as soon as 2012. Better Place expects that charging network to cost about a billion dollars.
Daniel Kammen, PhD, of UC Berkeley’s Energy & Resources Group, projects that there will be the usual difficulties inherent in any new transportation system, but that it has “a lot of promising features,” that could make it attractive to fleet owners and ecologically-minded customers.
Of course, the program works best when teamed up with renewable sources of energy, such as solar farms and wind turbines. We appreciate Mr. Agassi’s efforts in getting Hawaii and the rest of the world going Green!
NJ Going Green Again!
December 2, 2008
New Jersey is starting to seem like the most Green state in the nation. The Governor has ordered a billion dollars worth of wind turbines installed some 20 miles offshore, to power between 250,000 and half a million homes. New Jersey is obviously a believer in alternative energy sources. Their funding and incentives are considerable. Local communities have already solarized 17 of the 21 schools in the Toms River Regions School District. Now their Brick School District is asking that their 525 kilowatt system be added to the list.
This time it isn’t a matter of if they will put in a solar system, but whether they’re going to contract with another company to provide the equipment, or if they’re going to buy it themselves. If the contract, an outside vendor will supply the solar panels and related equipment, mount that equipment on school property, maintain it, and charge the school for the electricity. Of course, the company is there to make a profit, but how much more will it cost to contract for the power?
The difference is considerable. The school’s net savings is projected at $520,000 if they contract to purchase solar power. But if they finance the $4.75 million to buy the equipment themselves, the state will contribute another $1.25 million, and they stand to gain about $1.2 million in the same timeframe. What’s more, those figures are conservative. Revenues from selling solar power back to the grid could be considerably higher.
Either way they go, that’s not too shabby for having a few panels on the roof. Either way, everyone stands to gain from switching to alternative power. We’re pleased and proud to see the Garden State leading the way in alternative energies by Going Green! Read more
Sally Struthers, Is That You?
December 1, 2008
Solar Aid has embarked upon an Internet ad campaign to raise donations to provide solar power devices to impoverished nations in parts of Africa. They lead off with “Imagine a world where everyone has access to affordable, clean, renewable power.” Alongside the text is a picture of a young black boy, shading his eyes with his hand, while looking up at the sun. Below is the suggestion that we “Give the gift of light this Christmas” by buying a solar lantern. The price? A mere $60 dollars.
Watching their video, one could almost be moved and convinced. Like an email from a Nigerian scammer, a few small flaws give us pause: Supposedly 1.2 million people die of smoke related deaths each year — one every 20 seconds. We question that statistic, as it seems unlikely for a number of reasons. They also show their campaign teaching people to convert their lamps to solar with LEDs, florescent bulbs, and solar panels. Its a simple electronics lab project, easily taught in an afternoon, but they’re promising to teach this skill to 250 people this year, and 500 next year. Thinking about it, that doesn’t seem like a very productive schedule.
I’d certainly like to be able to imagine even a COUNTRY (this one, for starters) where everyone has access to affordable, clean, renewable power. That would be a good start. Maybe it would be easier to bring the African continent up on solar since grid electricity isn’t as thoroughly entrenched there as it is here. I’ll give them that much… but charity still begins at home. Moreover, technology advancements will be far greater here than those achieved in a “developing” nation, and can then be handed across to them to utilize. When the U.S. and the rest of the Western World aren’t yet on board with that affordable, clean, renewable power, it’s a bit much to ask us to dig deep and give Africa money to get it.
The site goes on to show that Gwyn Roberts is driving a 1989 Landcruiser from London to Cape Town, hoping to raise £20,000 for them. The tie-in? He’s going to use solar panels on the vehicle, supposedly to increase MPG. Then there’s the 5k run. There’s a long laundry list of corporate donors and sponsors, including utility companies. It LOOKS like a valid cause… but are looks deceiving?
$60 is a fairly good chunk of change. On a wholesale basis, $60 buys a LOT more than one solar lamp. That much can buy a solar panel that can give lights to several LED lamps. Not sure? Think about those solar lamps for the yards. They have a couple off-brand AA rechargeable batteries in them, a very small solar cell, and they can provide light to read by. Such lamps retail in the stores in the States for well under $10 each. Where is the rest of the money going? Administration? New Landcruisers? And what about all of those corporate sponsors?
We agree with the sentiment, and the goal. But the numbers don’t add up, and that’s really too bad. Africa’s people ARE poor, and they could use solar technologies. But this program brings to mind a bloated Sally Struthers dolefully pleading for starving children while wearing a $1500 wardrobe. Cate Blanchette and the rest of the cast and crew may have the best of intentions, but that doesn’t mean they’re not being fleeced. It’s a myth that solar must be expensive — especially when we’re talking about solar lanterns. We’d be happy to pass along good news about a worthy solar charity. This just isn’t one of them, in my opinion.
VIDEO: Solar Aid Needs Your Money NOW!
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