EV Digest 3581
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) RE: electric moped recomendations
by "Rodriguez, Jennifer {Orac~Palo Alto}" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) RE: using circuit breakers in series?
by Roger Stockton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) RE: electric moped recomendations
by Melinda Meahan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) Bubba replacement?
by "Chris Tromley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) [[JUNK]] Re: Anyone Know who is behind electriccars.com?
by "Andrew Wysotski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) article: EasyGlider provides fun clean transport
by Paul Wujek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) TdS Report #33: Exhibitor: Taylor Oil
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
8) TdS Report #34: Exhibitor: Honda Civic Hybrid
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
9) Racing at Infineon
by "Brian D. Hall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) Bellingham WA, EVers
by "Ken Nelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) EVLN(GM selling EV1 building)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) EVLN(China could use 2008 Olympics to leap-frog their EV development)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) EVLN(Students sell signs to bankroll electric car project)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) EVLN(Oh well, let's buy a hybrid)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) EVLN(HCHS team EVs brings home honors)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
16) EVLN(Powerdrive team EV wins @ state competition)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
17) TdS Report #35: Team Profile: The Lorax
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- Begin Message ---
I hope your friend checks out the yahoo group dedicated to larger
electric scooters, the EVespaCloneClub group under www.groups.yahoo.com.
It discusses the relatively few models of "full size" electric scooters,
including the EVTs.
I've been riding an EVT 4000e for a year now (over 3000 miles) and
haven't lost my EV grin!
Jenn
Yellow EVT 4000e
Santa Clara, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Coate [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:22 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: electric moped recomendations
A friend of mine has decided (much to my EV grinning delight) that he
wants to get an electric moped and has been asking a bunch of good
questions. Unfortunately I haven't paid much attention to this category
of EVs.
He has done a bit of research already and is liking the EVT brand. Is
this good? Is it available here in the northeast (near Boston)?
Usage will be around town, 30 mph urban streets, some hills. A range of
a solid 20 real-life miles should work. Being able to carry his
girlfriend would be a definite plus as would get much more use out of it
(they are both skinny :-).
Big concerns are of course reliability and availability of parts (a
possible problem with the hub-motor of the EVT?), having the grunt to
handle hills and of course being something that he would *want* to drive
on a daily basis even after the initial newness factor has worn off.
Suggestions?
_________
Jim Coate
1970's Elec-Trak
1992 Chevy S-10 BEV
1997 Chevy S-10 NGV
http://www.eeevee.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Monday, May 24, 2004 10:21 AM, George Tylinski
[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Hi - If a circuit breaker is rated for less than the supply's
> voltage, can they be put in series and operate correctly
> (specifically, break their rated amp load)?
Yes. I've posted stating exactly this fact a few times in the last
few days, but perhaps you have (wisely) been boycotting the emergency
disconnect/dragracing threads?
If you search up data sheets on some of the larger molded case
breakers, you will find that some of them achieve their higher DC
voltage ratings by connecting the poles of a 2 or 3-pole breaker in
series appropriately.
I believe you can achieve the same result with multiple single-pole
breakers provided the operating handles are properly linked
mechanically (so that if one breaker trips, all contacts open
simultaneously).
Finally, it might even be possible to use an appropriately-rated
(current) breaker with one or more manual disconnect versions (ess
entially the same circuit breaker, but without the ability to
automatically trip) wired in series and with the operating handles
mechanically tied together. It is possible that this would be more
cost-effective than buying multiple circuit breakers.
Cheers,
Roger.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I am drooling over the eGo 2 cycle, www.egovehicles.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
One way of making a fail-on incident a non-problem is to take any
decision making out of the process. No shut down after the traps? Just
push the button. One shouldn't be thinking about economics at that
point. Nor should anyone have to design untested devices to protect
their tested protection devices. I fully understand why someone would
want to do these things - I wouldn't want to blow $900 either. I'm just
saying it would be a far better situation if it wasn't necessary.
I took a look at the Curtis site. They have a line of
Telecommunications/Power Distribution contactors that might be worth
looking at. Ratings go up to 1800 amps. Best of all, they seem to be
open frame construction. So if you break a high amp circuit, you can
inspect/clean/replace the contacts cheaply. Even if they're as
expensive as a Bubba, you'd only have to buy it once.
Unfortunately, the Curtis site won't let me near a data sheet. I can't
tell what the voltage ratings are. The closest I came is
http://www.curtisinst.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cProducts.DownloadPDF&fil
e=telecom%2Epdf. (If your browser is confused by the .cfm file, rename
it a .pdf.) Does anyone have experience with these? Any alternatives?
Is there a single circuit breaker that can handle DC drag racer currents
*and* voltages? Heinemann goes to 160 VDC in high-current models, which
is a bit shy of what's needed.
Chris
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
It was actually my domain too, until they snagged it in a way they shouldn't
have been allowed to do.
Good luck.
Andrew
www.HybridGasolineElectricVehicles.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Lawrence Rhodes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Mike Chancey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: Anyone Know who is behind electriccars.com?
> I think this says it all. Lawrence Rhodes
>
>
>
> ELECTRIC CARS MEMBERSHIP
> Please Make check or money order payable to
>
> Arcive Networks Inc.
> ( Since 1986 - Our parent company )
>
> 743 Sara Drive, Ventura/Oxnard, California 93030
>
> BikiniGirl Network
> 743 Sara Drive
> Ventura/Oxnard California 93030
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Chancey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 8:13 PM
> Subject: Anyone Know who is behind electriccars.com?
>
>
> > Hi folks,
> >
> > Does anyone know who is behind the electriccars.com website? They have
> > copied an entire page from my maeaa.org website without my permission.
> Had
> > they asked, I might have okayed it as long as I was credited, but I
wasn't
> > asked so I am very ticked off. Their site is not a free site to share
> > info, but a pay site charging $9.95 per year to generate funds for
> > somebody. They don't have an email address shown to contact anyone.
> >
> > Does anyone know who these folks really are?
> >
> > Very Angry,
> >
> > Mike Chancey,
> > '88 Civic EV
> > '95 Solectria Force
> > Kansas City, Missouri
> > EV List Photo Album at: http://evalbum.com
> > My Electric Car at: http://www.geocities.com/electric_honda
> > Mid-America EAA chapter at: http://maeaa.org
> > Join the EV List at: http://www.madkatz.com/ev/evlist.html
> >
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Your personal electric wheeled tug:
http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=2758
--
Paul Wujek ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) h:(905)279-5885 c:(416)892-5885
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #33: Exhibitor: Taylor Oil
Paul Coco says he is "an unpaid enthusiast representing Taylor Oil." He is
here with his personal TDI diesel car, "running on B100. I've put about 400
gallons of biodiesel through this and a couple of tractors that I own. My son
is also running B100.
"We like the fuel because it doesn't have that heavy exhaust smell, plus it has
70% less pollutants and 90% less carcinogens. Articles that I've read say that
the injection pump failures are substantially reduced, along with increased
fuel mileage. People just plain like it.
Recently the amount of sulfur in regular diesel has been reduced, because it is
a pollutant, but that also reduces the lubrication inherent in the fuel. B100
is naturally more lubricating, which contributes to reduced engine wear.
"In cold weather, I add 20% regular diesel. I live in central New Jersey."
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2004 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2004 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Jack Groh
Tour de Sol Communications Director
P.O. Box 6044
Warwick, RI 02887-6044
401 732-1551
401 732-0547 fax
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
TdS Report #34: Exhibitor: Honda Civic Hybrid
The message of the Tour de Sol has always been "See! We can do better!". And
I for one think we can take some credit for making the case that electric power
has a place in transportation. While some think of the Tour as an electric-car
event, hybrids have been part of the mix for since the early 1990s.
So when Joe Fusco of Willis Honda of Burlington comes to show the "Honda Civic
Hybrid 4-Door with Manual Transmission" I like to think that it is in part
because events like the Tour de Sol led the way. They also come in automatic.
(Do they make a 2-door?)
"It is rated at 51 MPG highway, 46 city. But I drove it from northern Jersey
to Delaware and got 56 miles to the gallon. The only visible difference
between this and a regular Civic is that the back seats do not fold down,
because the battery is located behind them.
How have they been selling?
"They have been moving very well. We only have two left on the lot. Seven are
ordered for next month and six are already sold.
"People come in looking for the Civic. They don't know about the hybrids.
There aren't many commercials about the Civic Hybrid on TV. So I take them
outside and show it too them, comparing it to the regular Civic and the Civic
SI, which is sportier. They get all excited by the gas mileage and take it for
a test drive. They fall in love with it and purchase it."
The sticker price on the car Joe was showing: $21,040.
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2004 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2004 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Jack Groh
Tour de Sol Communications Director
P.O. Box 6044
Warwick, RI 02887-6044
401 732-1551
401 732-0547 fax
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Only 25 days left before race day in Somona County, We are still hoping to
have our new drag car ready and will be doing some testing at the track on
Wednesday nites.
I'm worried about keeping the com and brushes cool and wonder if anyone can
suggest the best coolant to spray them with. Non-conductive would be a good
start. CO2 ??
Brian D. Hall
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Just wondering how many EV people there are North of Seattle in the burg
of Bellingham. I keep running accross people that are working on or are
considering a conversion in the area. If you are in the area, drop me a
note if you would like to share experiences/time to BS.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(GM selling EV1 building)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~2149495,00.html
[...]
The 220,000-square-foot building on 10 acres at 8000 Van Nuys Blvd.,
where seats were once installed in automobiles, will either be sold
or leased, probably to a manufacturing company, said Brett Warner, a
principal at Lee & Associates LA North/Ventura Inc., the commercial
real estate company representing the owner, Dallas-based Lincoln
Properties.
Until late last year, the big automaker used the facility, built in
the mid-1950s, as an emission control laboratory and storage for the
EV-1, the company's electric car.
[...]
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--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(China could use 2008 Olympics to leap-frog their EV development)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://en.ce.cn/Insight/t20040511_821675.shtml
How to fulfil the commitments on green Olympics
Last Updated(Beijing Time):2004-05-11 16:52 By Chen Quanshi
In the application for the Olympic Games and presentations made
prior to the voting, Beijing and the Chinese Government made the
commitment on environment and transportation, two issues that are
sensitive in holding Olympics and of concern to the world: The
number of days when air quality is good would exceed two-thirds of
the total; vehicle exhaust index would meet Euro III standard; more
than 90 per cent of buses used in urban transport would consume
clean fuel or meet clean vehicle exhaust standard; the city would
work on rail transit and rapid transit to dramatically raise the
average speed of transit vehicle, alleviate traffic jams and
pollution caused by car emissions.
However, Beijing indeed faces major challenges in addressing its
environment and transportation issues. Take the growing population
for example. Due to various reasons, despite an array of measures
adopted by the Beijing Municipal Government, the population in the
city is still increasing quickly. In 2008, the total population in
this city is expected to hit 15 million, including 3 million
floating population. The total transport volume is on the rise.
Total transport volume (including passenger transport and freight)
is proportional to the size of population, and its growth outstrips
that of population and total output value.
Therefore, the total quantity of vehicles is rising quickly. From
2003-2008, the number of taxis will climb from 60,000 to 80,000,
that of buses from 12,000 to 18,000, and that of private cars and
non-private vehicles is increasing even faster. Such large
quantities of vehicles are just like a dark dragon. Not only do they
consume fuels at an astonishing speed and make petroleum resources
increasingly scanty, they also pose aggravating environmental
pollution.
To coordinate the relationship between vehicles, energy and
environment, people are working on clean vehicle fuels and exploring
ideal sources of power. Among other things, electric vehicle, which
offers energy-saving and environmental protection features, may
become the most important means of transportation in this century.
In the past more than a decade, car giants around the world invested
heavily in the R&D of battery-powered electric vehicle. And
technology of hybrid electric vehicle is reaching maturity; they are
offered for sale or rental in the United States, Japan and Germany.
Battery-powered electric vehicle is perceived as one of the main
development trends of the automobile industry with immense
development potential.
China lags behind the world's pacesetters in the field of vehicles
driven by internal combustion engines for about twenty years, but in
the field of electric vehicle, the gap spans only 4-5 years. It is
possible for China to obtain an advantageous position by leveraging
the demand of the 2008 Olympics to achieve frog-leaping development
in the new round of competition in the world automobile industry.
The Ministry of Science and Technology and Beijing Municipal
Government set up a special fund for "Science & Technology Olympics"
to support intelligent transportation and electric vehicle projects.
The UNDP/GEF demonstration project of battery-powered buses was
launched. Fueled by the immense demand of the Olympics, R&D of
environmentally-friendly vehicle has become a new hotspot area in
China's automobile industry.
At present, there are more than 100 carmakers and scientific
research institutions working on environmentally-friendly vehicle in
this country. Guangzhou Suijing Bus Co., Ltd. has developed an LPG
hybrid electric vehicle, with exhaust index superior to the Europe
III standard. The price/performance ratio suits China's actualities,
and it is performing very well in the Hong Kong and Japanese
markets. Therefore, the company is full of confidence about serving
the Olympics market.
Currently, major problems include the following: Proliferation of
private cars are aggravating traffic congestion; the building of
parking lots lacks good planning and lags behind demand;
consequently some areas, like government agencies, hospitals,
shopping centers and school gates become bottlenecks of traffic
jams. Meanwhile, issues like the quality of fuel, detection
technology and limited financial strength make it difficult to
implement Euro III standard. Pure electric vehicle is constrained by
storage battery technology. And it is difficult to popularize
battery-powered electric vehicle quickly due to technology and cost
reasons.
The 2008 Olympics offer an excellent opportunity to resolve
transportation and environmental protection issues in Beijing.
Leaders of the Chinese Government and Beijing Municipality
pay great attention to and provide strong support for this event
which is a focus of attention in China and the world. And the IOC
and various international organizations conduct supervision and
provide assistance and support politically, economically and
technologically. Enterprises, institutions and individuals both at
home and abroad pay sponsorship. Bidding price of exclusive car
sponsor of the Olympic games has already hit US$75 million.
To tackle the existing major issues, experts recommend the following
countermeasures. First of all, a specialized agency should be set up
to study the implementation of Euro III standard. Being made up of
environmental protection bureaus, fuel oil companies, public
transportation corporations, automobile industry association and
some carmakers, the agency needs to work out specific implementation
planning on the basis of study of the standard, testing, usage and
fuel oil. Secondly, it is necessary to take on trial hybrid electric
vehicle technology in buses, with R&D agencies and manufactures
being selected through bidding. Thirdly, it is essential to press
ahead with the planning, technical standard setting and progress of
parking lot construction.
Source:CE.cn
-
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--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Students sell signs to bankroll electric car project)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/05/12/news/news01.txt
Industrious youth: Students fabricating Lewis and Clark signs use
funds to bankroll electric car project By JENNY JOHNSON Staff
Reporter
With mock ups of the Hieronymus Park signs behind them, Darby Tech
teacher Nathan Mentzer instructs Brad Corbett and Walter Lister who
are assembling wood for one of the interpretive Lewis and Clark
signs. Photo by JEREMY LURGIO - Ravalli Republic
While few students in Darby's technology class know where Hieronymus
Park is, they're about to make a significant contribution to the
Hamilton city park.
Students in Darby and Hamilton are constructing interpretive signs
for the park highlighting Lewis and Clark's expedition through the
Bitterroot Valley. The signs will be placed strategically throughout
the 66-acres of floodplain on the east side of the Bitterroot
River.
Kids First, a county youth services organization, contracted the
classes at each school to build the signs, a project funded by a
grant from the Montana Lewis and Clark Commission.
"Not only were these interpretive signs approved by the Montana
Lewis and Clark Commission and the Salish Cultural Committee, the
commission is using them as an example for other projects," Kerry
Wall MacLane of Kids First said.
Wall MacLane coordinated the project and solicited help from local
botanists, biologists and other experts to create the 10 signs. They
communicate facts about the Bitterroot Valley at the time Meriwether
Lewis and William Clark arrived in the valley. They illustrate the
people, plants and animals and the interaction of the people and
wildlife.
One sign speaks to the condition of Lewis and Clark when they
returned to the Bitterroot - hungry. Expedition members refused to
eat biscuit root on their way westward, but upon returning to the
Bitterroot Valley, starvation was near, and the members ate the root
with the Salish.
Another sign tells of sharing tobacco.
Each sign will have an interactive component too, Wall MacLane said.
For example, signs that illustrate native plants will have those
species growing nearby.
"It will be a fun thing to do with your kids," Wall MacLane said.
Tech heads
While the signs will enhance the park and excite park officials, the
Darby students have more modern things on their minds.
They designed the signs entirely with computer-aided drafting
equipment and used a milling machine to smooth and carve the wood.
And with the money Kids First paid each school for the signs - just
under $5,000 - the students are helping fund their electric car
projects.
Five teams of three students are building electric cars, which they
will race against other engineering and technology students in the
region. Elaborate in their design and construction, the cars were
designed with the computer aided drafting software and put together
using a variety of materials such as steel, aluminum, lawn chairs,
motors, steering and braking mechanisms, foam, plastic and
fiberglass.
"Our team is making two signs because we need a little bit more
money," James Bennett said.
Tech teacher Nathan Mentzer said students raise money because, in
order to build the cars the way they want - lighter, faster and easy
to maneuver - more cash is required.
"If they want to go with chromoly - that's not in my budget," he
said.
Most of the car frames are welded steel. One group wanted a
light-weight car and used more expensive aluminum. With the help of
Tom Ellingham, a local metal fabricator capable of welding aluminum,
Jason Sperry, Scott Theissen and Travis Schallenberger constructed
their frame. Tuesday, Sperry and Theissen were gluing foam around
the frame. Once shaped, the team will cover it with plastic and then
fiberglass.
While busy with the car's construction and a deadline to enter a
regional race in Oregon next week fast approaching, the pair didn't
hesitate to explain the car's complex components - the hammock-style
seat, rack-and-pinion steering, seven-speed internal hub and frame
reinforcements.
After the car is put together, the students will put each of the
three wheels on a scale and try to balance the weight between the
tires by moving batteries or adjusting the driver's seat.
Sperry, a senior who worked on the school's first electric cars last
year, said a front-heavy car lost control and sped off the track
last year, nearly hitting a quick-footed reporter. He started
working on this year's model two years ago, he said.
The cars are complete with seat belts, roll bars and a 12-volt
battery that runs the vehicles. In a demonstration of the cars last
spring, a sheriff's deputy clocked the drivers going about 27 miles
per hour.
Reporter Jenny Johnson can be reached at 363-3300 or
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright Ravalli Republic. All rights
reserved.
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EVLN(Oh well, let's buy a hybrid)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040512-9999-1n12hybrid.html
Hybrid-car popularity shifts into overdrive Sales of fuel-stingy
models in high gear By Jennifer Davies UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 12, 2004 2004 Toyota Prius Call it revenge of the nerds.
Gas-guzzling muscle cars are being overtaken by unassuming little
hybrids.
And the Toyota Prius is leading the charge.
For the first four months of the year, sales of the Prius are up 80
percent from last year, and April sales are more than 150 percent
higher than a year ago.
Prius sales have been so brisk that it's difficult to buy one.
Waiting lists at San Diego County Toyota dealerships range from 60
to 330 people. Many would-be Prius owners are having to wait as long
as a year.
David Featherman has been waiting since August. In the last few
months, the Mission Hills resident has wavered about whether to hold
out for a Prius or buy a regular car.
"The more the gas prices go up, the more I think I'll stick it out,"
he said.
No doubt record-high gas prices have something to do with hybrids'
increasing popularity. In San Diego County, unleaded regular gas
sold for an average of $2.27 per gallon Monday.
The Prius switches between battery power at low speeds and its gas
engine at higher speeds to travel as much as 60 mpg, although owners
say the average is more like 45 mpg. Although the Prius is powered
by electricity and gasoline, it drives very much like a normal car.
Meanwhile, sales of low-mileage sport utility vehicles have dipped.
In April, sales of the Hummer H2 were down 21 percent from the same
month a year ago. Cadillac Escalade sales dropped by more than 17
percent, and sales of the lower-priced Ford Expedition plummeted 33
percent.
Sensing a growing opportunity, car companies such as General Motors
and Ford Motor Co. are planning their own hybrid cars and trucks.
Fuel efficiency is only part of story, car industry analysts say.
The Prius, which made its U.S. debut with the 2001 model, and to a
lesser extent other hybrids such as the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda
Insight are experiencing newfound popularity because they appeal to
a niche of affluent, educated, technology enthusiasts whose politics
are left of center.
George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, a market research firm,
said if the Escalade is the car of rap stars and the H2 is the "the
ultimate Billy Bob car," then the Prius is a car for a fledgling
Bill Gates or Apple founder Steve Wozniak.
"Gas mileage is a small part of it," agreed Kevin Slater, sales
manager at Kearny Mesa Toyota. "It's the technology of the car."
Sev MacPete, a new Prius owner, said he was drawn to the car partly
because its low emissions create virtually no pollution.
MacPete, who started a local Prius owners club, said other members
seem to fit the image of older, environmentally conscious consumers.
Of the 21 people who came to the first Prius club meeting, 17 were
past the half-century mark.
"Maybe we are all the free-speaking hippie types who are in their
50s and are going, 'What do we do now? Oh well, let's buy a Prius,'
" he said.
On the younger end of the spectrum are people who buy the Prius
because of its technology. Not only is the electric technology
cutting-edge, but the Prius is equipped with a digital dashboard
display that shows the number of miles per gallon the car gets when
the battery is running the car and when the gas engine takes over.
People who are drawn to the Prius tend to have wireless technology
in their homes and offices and are quick to buy the latest cell
phone and computer, Peterson said.
Barrett Fabian is that kind of person. The 27-year-old information
technology worker said he wanted a Prius because it was as close to
a truly electric vehicle as there is. He said he looked at the Honda
Civic Hybrid but decided on the Prius because it uses electric
energy more readily than the Honda models.
"It's just a unique vehicle," he said.
The demographics of a Prius owner have made Featherman, 37, think
twice about buying one. He wants the car because the size and price
are right for him. New Priuses sell for $20,000 to $25,000.
"I'm not buying it because it's a cool techno geek car," he said,
adding with a laugh that he gets dismayed because he usually sees
older people driving them.
But with the Prius' appeal to environmental and techie types, it
should come as no surprise that California has the most owners of
hybrid cars. As of last year, California had 11,425 registered
hybrid-car owners, according to R.L. Polk & Co., a market research
firm. The next closest state was Virginia, with 3,376.
The hybrid buzz also has been helped by celebrities such as Tom
Hanks, Cameron Diaz and Susan Sarandon, who drove Priuses to this
year's Academy Awards. Toyota has been so overwhelmed by demand that
it hasn't launched much of an advertising campaign.
"They have done a nice job of product placement," Peterson said.
"The word of mouth has been quite powerful. Even my wife who never
looks at cars says, 'Maybe, I should get a Prius.' "
Alan Rahbari, general sales manager at Cush Honda in San Diego, said
sales of the Civic hybrid have been helped along by the backing of
stars.
"If the stars are buying it, then people tend to want to at least
look at it," he said. "In the past, it was just a car with new
technology. Now it is the car to buy."
But there's a question as to how widespread the Prius demand is.
The waiting lists are more a function of lack of supply than of
overwhelming demand.
"Prius plays into the values and desires of a certain group of
people – that's a relatively small percentage of the population,"
said Dan Gorrell, of Strategic Vision, an auto industry market
research firm.
Local dealers say they each get only a few Priuses a month. The lack
of supply has helped reduce the average number of days a Prius stays
on dealer lots nationally to six, the lowest in the industry.
"The factory wasn't ready," Slater said. "They are so far behind
it'll be a while before they catch up."
In comparison, a Hummer H2 stays on the lot for an average of 60
days and a Cadillac Escalade remains on the lot an average of 49
days.
That hybrid sales are up and SUV sales are down doesn't mean that
the reign of large SUVs is over. The cars appeal to widely different
audiences, Peterson said.
"You can never make the connection that people leaving Hummers are
buying Priuses. That ain't never happening," he said.
Or as MacPete said of the Prius: "It's the absolute polar opposite
of a Hummer."
Even with rising gas prices, SUVs are still going to be the car of
choice because consumers have become too accustomed to their
convenience, Gorrell said. "I don't see people walking away from the
performance and intangible benefits that larger SUVs provide, unless
gasoline becomes very expensive," he said.
Car buyers soon may not have to decide between high-mileage hybrids
and SUVs. Ford is planning to offer a hybrid version of its Escape
model, a smaller SUV, later this year. A Lexus SUV hybrid is in the
works as is a hybrid Highlander, one of Toyota's SUV models. (Lexus
is Toyota's luxury-car line.)
Interest in the Highlander appears to be intense. Local Toyota
dealers say customers are already coming in to ask about the hybrid
Highlander even though Toyota hasn't announced when the 2005 model
will be released.
Said Slater: "There's already 30 people on the waiting list."
Jennifer Davies: (619) 293-1373; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
© Copyright 2004 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
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EVLN(HCHS team EVs brings home honors)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.thehartwellsun.com/tr/articles.asp?id=2815&cat=top_story
Electric vehicle brings honors for HCHS team
By Eric Brown, staff writer [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Hart County High School electric vehicle team has come a long
way in a short time.
The program, which began in 2001 by Hart County High School teachers
Charles Pace and Bruce Eaves, competed at the Georgia Electric
Vehicle Rally at the Peach State Motor Speedway in Jefferson May
7-8.
The EV team finished first place overall out of 14 schools and 325
participants who took part in the competition. There were 26
electric vehicles.
The team entered three vehicles – EM-TV (electric cart), full-size
electric vehicle (Nissan Pulsar) and full-size electric vehicle
(solar powered BMW prototype). They did better than ever before.
The team finished first place in the full size vehicle, EV-TV, and
quiz bowl contests.
They also placed second in the EMTV endurance, trouble shooting and
vehicle autocross.
One of the biggest finishes came in the full size solar powered
vehicle. They placed third in only their second time in the
competition.
The competitions combined academics with driving events. Students
earned team points according to how well they performed.
Last December, the team failed to place in its first full-size solar
powered vehicle contest, but Pace knew the team would rebound.
He said the team’s main goal in December was to get the car running,
which they did. The goals for this event were different.
We really thought we had a good chance in every event,” he said. “We
just didn’t know how high we would place.
Everything came together. All the students and advisors came
together and excelled in each area.”
Pace credited the seniors, especially Chris Wilson and Will Brown,
for their hard work.
Chris and Will are part of the eight graduating seniors in the EV
class. Other seniors on the team are Will Black, Matt Bagley, Daniel
Seawright, Jade Moorhead, Deval Patel and Josh Black. Only juniors
Randall Hart, Bren Stone, Chad Weaver and Jonathan Seawright are
returning next year.
Their persistence and commitment was a shot in the arm for our
program and it will lead us into the future,” Pace said.
Technology education teacher Patrick Gunter was one of the advisors
for the EV team at the rally.
Despite the loss of seniors, Gunter is excited about the progress of
the EV program.
We have a good established program,” he said. “We’ll draw some of
the top students who have seen our success.
The people notice. They’re always looking for something to do and to
get into.”
The future will come as early as July at The Texas Motorspeedway.
Gunter said if the team can get some new parts, including power
trackers and batteries, they can compete.
The cost for new parts is $10,000. The money will come from
sponsors, Gunter said.
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EVLN(Powerdrive team EV wins @ state competition)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11640815&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=531813&rfi=6
North Platte Telegraph home : news : news : local news
Powerdrive team wins at state competition
By Kristina Jergensen , The North Platte Telegraph 05/12/2004
The North Platte High School Power Drive team won several awards at
Saturday's state championship, including first place for a standard
division electric car built by team members. In back, from left, are
Ryan Johnston, Ben Bercot, Sarah Douglas, Kassie H
Students in the Power Drive program at North Platte High School are
walking with heads held high and smiles on their faces this week
after winning several awards, including first place in the standard
car division in Saturday's state championship in Omaha.
The team, consisting of students Ryan Johnston, Ben Bercot, Sarah
Douglas, Kassie Hayes, Bernie Taylor, Jason Hopkinson, Sami Perry,
Bobby Taylor and Zak Mulvaney, competed against 60 other teams from
Nebraska and Iowa.
"Students have been working all year designing and constructing this
one-person all-electric car," said Bill Kalblinger, program
director, of the after-school program.
"It (builds) self-confidence when you work an entire year putting
ideas together and find out the whole year's work does what it's
supposed to."
Though the team's season began late, due to the change of school
buildings, students' efforts made up for the delay, Kalblinger
said.
"The kids didn't quit. They kept working at it, doing their very
best," he said. One car competed in a race before it was even
painted.
"Some people were doing engineering and designing. Others worked to
construct parts. They put the frame together, put the wheels on.
They just kept coming up with great ideas. I enjoy seeing them
understand how things work."
Kalblinger said students worked hard the week before the state
championship, readying their two cars for competition.
"They worked the night before, and we left three hours later than
planned the next morning because students were finishing last minute
things," he said.
But, once they left, students were prepared, Kalblinger said.
The race was "very exciting," Kalblinger said, explaining that the
car was behind one lap during a five-minute delay 35 minutes into
the one-hour race.
"Jason (Hopkinson) was driving, and that whole five minutes he was
doing figures of how much there was to go and how much battery he
had left. Then he told me, 'Mr. K, it's still possible.'
"In the last part of the hour he was able to catch up with the first
place car and passed him, and before the hour was up he passed him
two more times!"
Along with winning the first place trophy for the standard class
car, the team also won first place for the best vehicle design and
construction, which North Platte had never previously won.
Kalblinger said part of this was due to Hopkinson's detailed
description of the car to judges, which the teacher believes to be
"one of his finest speeches."
"He knows that car inside and out, and he presented it so (the
judges) understood it," he said. "He showed that all components were
thought out carefully and all components were hand-built."
The team also took first place in endurance, third place in braking
and third place in maneuverability. Hopkinson, a senior, won a
$1,000 Power Drive scholarship for his efforts.
Kalblinger said he is proud of his students' accomplishments, and
that they "did their best."
"I knew in my heart this was a great team and if they were given an
opportunity to show it, they would do really well. Winning isn't as
important as what my students have learned," he said of the teamwork
skills, lessons in problem solving and future business training the
team members have received.
"It takes a lot of people working together to make this work," he
said. "It's a fun experience watching them grow."
Team members are now deciding whether they will attend an upcoming
multi-state rally in Iowa.
Copyright © 1995 - 2004 PowerOne Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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TdS Report #35: Team Profile: The Lorax
Methacton High School
Lorax, #45
Methacton Electric Car Club, Jeffersonville, PA
"The Lorax" is named after Dr. Suess's character whose mission was to educate
people about the environment. The Methacton electric car club educates the
public about alternative energy sources one car at a time, at our school, on
field trips to nearby schools, and during summer camps.
Mark Krick is the advisor for this team. He said they had got the car put
together just before the Tour started.
"The students have been working on this since October, to replace the
batteries. The folks at Eagle-Picher donated them and we spent the last six
months replacing them all through out the car, which meant disassembling the
whole car. The Horizon batteries are about 5 inches by 5 inches by 30 inches
long. It has been an adventure for the kids, engineering the batteries
need to hold the batteries down and putting it together so we maintain the
integrity of the car. It has passed all the safety inspections so far, so we
are in good shape."
This car started life as the Lomax, built by John Murphy and entered in the
Tour de Sol in 2001. He donated the car to the school and it returned in 2003
as the Lorax.
Team Name Methacton Electric Car Club
Vehicle Name The Lorax
Vehicle Number 45
Registered as Car/Truck
In State Pennsylvania
Empty weight 2150 pounds
Length 12 feet 6 inches
Width 5 feet 2 inches
Height 4 feet
Frame material steel
Body material fiberglass
No. of people 2
Energy Storage System
Manufacturer Eagle Picher
Chemistry PbA
No. of blocks 16
Connection series
Cost 8500
Capacity 17000 Watt-hours
System Voltage 192 Volts
Weight 912
Charger
Off-board
Manufacturer Zivan
Capacity 3 kiloWatts
Input Voltage 230 Volts AC
Input Current 13 Amperes
Type transformer / rectifier
Electric Drive System
Manufacturer Solectria
Motor type AC induction
Motor rating 8 kiloWatts continuous, 35 kiloWatts peak
Electric Control System
Manufacturer Solectria
Type AC 325
Tires
Number 3
Manufacturer Michelin
Model P 135, SR 15
Type radial
Brakes
Front disc
Rear drum
Regenerative yes
- - - -
The complete set of Tour de Sol Reports for 2004 can be found at:
http://www.AutoAuditorium.com/TdS_Reports_2004
The complete set of past Tour de Sol Reports can be found at:
http://www.FovealSystems.com/Tour_de_Sol_Reports.html
- - - -
The above is Copyright 2004 by Michael H. Bianchi.
Permission to copy is granted provided the entire article is presented
without modification and this notice remains attached.
For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2085 .
- - - -
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
http://www.TourdeSol.org
- - - -
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor,
the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at
413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and
[EMAIL PROTECTED] . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...
Jack Groh
Tour de Sol Communications Director
P.O. Box 6044
Warwick, RI 02887-6044
401 732-1551
401 732-0547 fax
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
