EV Digest 3447
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Controller isoaltion
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) Re: Battery discharge tester idea
by "Tim Clevenger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) No vehicle display at tomorrow's OEVA meeting in Portland, OR
by "Eric Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) Welder as charger
by "Lawrence Rhodes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) EVLN(SC802 series of Li-ion/-polymer battery charger ICs)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) EVLN(JD sez hybrid on the Rise, ... duh)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) Re: Welder as charger
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) Re: Battery discharge tester needed
by Richard Bebbington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) EBEAA Annual Spring EV Display & Drive/Ride Rally, Saturday 4/24/04 10-4 in
Pleasant Hill/Concord, CA
by "Ed Thorpe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) EVLN(nEV Dealership Opens In Seattle)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) EVLN(FedEx hybrids)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) EVLN(Toyota raises price of Prius by $300)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) EVLN(Taipei subsidies to switch to electric bicycles)-long
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) EVLN(Paragould @ Arkansas 1st Electric Vehicle Rally)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) EVLN(nEVs&hybrids @ 2nd National AFV Day Odyssey, PALM DESERT)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Begin Message ---
Lee Hart wrote:
Victor, have you looked at the voltage between any of these terminals
and chassis ground while the motor is operating? I would expect the DC
voltage is very low (and this is the only voltage when the system is
off). But the AC voltage during operation could be substantial, because
the inverter is applying sharp rise/fall time waveforms to the motor.
I don't know anyone in their right mind to touch the motor terminal
and the chassy while the motor is running (in fact it will take two
people!), But next time I have terminals exposed, I can hook an AC
voltmeter with low enough resistor in parallel (like 5k) and see if
any voltage develops. This is not a concern for me though, but it is
for ACP system which "runs" on charge.
This AC voltage is the problem that ACP addressed by insulating the case
of the motor from ground. If they didn't, the large AC voltages and the
large capacitance from motor winding to motor case caused large AC
ground currents. This ground current didn't matter during normal
driving. But, since they use their inverter and motor while CHARGING,
this capacitive ground current would trip GFCIs.
OK, I see your point.
The point is, if you block access to the battery terminals,
you can touch ANYTHING in my EV with both hands, it is fine.
Actually there is nothing to touch - no exposed bars or motor
terminals bolts.
Do you know if the Siemens system is DOUBLE-insulated, to meet the UL
standards? I'm sure it hasn't been tested by UL, but if Siemens was
familiar with the UL standards, they might have designed it so it would
be possible to meet them without a major redesign.
I can check that.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Make sure that if your discharge rate is near the rating of the UPS, and you
will be discharging for more than 15-30 minutes, that you install an
additional
cooling fan. Wouldn't hurt to open them up and blow out the dust, too.
They
can get hot!
Oh, and if possible, try to run a cord from the UPS to your entertainment
center or a space heater set on low/medium and aimed where you need
it. I'd hate to see all that electricity being wasted illuminating an empty
room
if it can be used elsewhere.
Tim
---------
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2004 14:23:02 -0400
From: Christopher Zach <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Battery discharge tester idea
Ok, I think I have an idea for a discharger:
I have a pair of APC 600 watt UPS units that are just sitting around. I
will take out the batteries, and wire in a solution that will allow me
to pull power from external cables (6 feet long).
The UPS can charge the battery, and discharge it. I'll use N number of
light bulbs as the load, and use an ammeter to make sure it's drawing a
nice 30 amp draw. Then let it go with a mechanical 110 volt clock as a
timer. When it hits 10.66 the UPS shuts down and the test is over and
the clock tells the run time.
Bonus: I can re-charge the battery using 110 :-) I assume that light
bulbs have a power factor of 1.00, correct?
_________________________________________________________________
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hello all,
I just got a call from our contact at the Portland World Trade
Center. They just let her know today that they will be working
on the bricks in the courtyard so it won't be available for vehicle
parking/display. She wasn't any happier about the short notice
than I was.
So, the meeting will still be from 7:30 to about 9:00PM, Thursday,
April 8th at 2 World Trade Center at the corner of SW 1st and
Salmon in beautiful downtown Portland. We will have to use on-street
parking, including the two charger spots.
The meeting room will be available. We should be able to gather
in there starting about 7:00PM. So, we can still socialize and
the meeting itself won't be affected.
This is a one-time deal. Too bad we're the ones affected, but
we can deal with it. See you (but not your vehicles) there!
--
Eric Johnson
Portland, OR
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
We have an old Lincoln stick welder. Could I use this as a charger?
Lawrence Rhodes...........
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(SC802 series of Li-ion/-polymer battery charger ICs)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
Semtech Launches Miniature Battery Charger ICs with Redundant Charge
Termination
CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--04/05/2004-- SC802 family
protects Lithium-ion/Lithium-polymer battery-powered portable
products from overcharging of faulty batteries
Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and
mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, portable devices,
computers, and industrial equipment, today announced availability of
the SC802 series of Lithium-ion/Lithium-polymer battery charger ICs.
The two new devices feature a six-hour programmable charge timer and
thermistor voltage input sensor to allow designers to program in
redundant charge termination functions to protect portable products
from faulty batteries.
"Portable designers are looking at all aspects of their power
systems to improve safety, and they increasingly want charge
termination redundancy built into their products to ensure that
overcharging isn't the cause of battery safety issues," said Eddie
Yeow, Vice President of Semtech's Portable Products Group. "With the
SC802 we give designers two types of redundancy without sacrificing
the small size and strong features for which Semtech battery
charging solutions are known."
Portable product designers can program the SC802 charger to
automatically terminate charging after any length of time, up to six
hours. The IC's thermistor input sensor can read voltage changes
that indicate changing thermal conditions and can terminate charging
when these conditions are outside programmed ranges.
Like all of Semtech's battery charger ICs, the SC802 chargers
automatically detect the voltage levels in a battery and will
initiate either a pre-charge current for deeply discharged batteries
with less than 2.8 volts of power, or fast-charge current for
batteries with power levels higher than 2.8 volts. Once a battery
reaches 70% of capacity, the current is reduced while the voltage
remains constant until the battery is fully charged. Once charging
is complete, the SC802 goes into a maintenance mode to ensure that
the battery remains at full capacity while a charging adapter is
connected.
The SC802 features a 14V input voltage range that eliminates
additional protection circuitry required by other 5V chargers in the
event of faulty adapters. The SC802 also provides an LDO mode that
can be used to power the device directly from the power adapter when
the battery is removed.
The SC802 is available in an optional, lead-free 4mm by 4mm
footprint, 0.9mm height micro-leaded package (MLP) that is ideal for
use in cell phones, smart phones, charger stations and personal
digital assistants. The SC802 chargers join the SC801 and SC803
charger families of miniature battery charger ICs for portable
designs. All of Semtech's battery charger ICs combine controller,
thermally protected power MOSFET, reverse-blocking diode, and sense
resistor-elements that comprise a complete charging management
system. The device's packaging provides efficient heat dissipation
to promote optimal system performance in a very small PCB area. This
feature combination allows engineers to cut cost, board space, and
design effort over competing solutions.
Key Features of the SC802 family
-- Two models: the standard SC802 and the SC802A with higher
termination current
-- Charge accuracy saves charge time, prevents overcharging
damage, improves system performance
-- Maximum fast charge setting can be adjusted using an external
voltage control input on one pin
-- Device available in lead-free packaging for environmentally
sensitive designs
Pricing and Availability
The SC802 chargers are available immediately in production
quantities. Per-unit pricing is as follows (quoted in 1,000-piece
quantities):
-- SC802IMLTR (standard MLP4x4-16 package) $1.37 ea
-- SC802IMLTRT (lead-free MLP4x4-16 package) $1.37 ea
-- SC802AIMLTRT (lead-free MLP4x4-16 package) $1.39 ea
Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and
factory-based support. Volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well
as evaluation kits and samples, are available by contacting
[EMAIL PROTECTED] The SC802 product datasheet is posted at
www.semtech.com.
About Semtech Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of
high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products. The
company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary
solutions and breakthrough technology in power management,
protection, advanced communications, human interface, test and
measurement, and high-speed clock/logic products. Publicly traded
since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under
the symbol SMTC. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200
Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone 805-498-2111; email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; or visit its web site at www.semtech.com.
CONTACT:Semtech Corporation Terry Sears, 805-480-2052
[EMAIL PROTECTED] SOURCE: Semtech Corporation 04/05/2004 08:02
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EVLN(JD sez hybrid on the Rise, ... duh)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Consumer Awareness of Hybrid
Electric and Clean Diesel Vehicle Technologies on the Rise
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- With U.S. gas
prices continuing to spike, more consumers are expected to look to
vehicles with clean diesel engines or hybrid electric powertrains to
provide some relief at the pump, according to the J.D. Power and
Associates 2004 Consumer Acceptance of Alternative Powertrains
Study(SM) released today.
The study of 7,126 consumers who purchased a new light vehicle in
the past three years, finds that more than 75 percent of respondents
express an awareness of hybrid electric powertrain technology, while
40 percent indicate an awareness of clean diesel engine technology.
Among respondents who own a conventional light vehicle with an
internal combustion engine, 57 percent say they are "very" or
"somewhat" familiar with hybrid electric powertrain technology,
while 39 percent express similar familiarity with clean diesel
engine technology.
Consumers express interest in clean diesel engines for their power
or torque and for proven technology. Yet, they also show concern
over maintenance costs and the availability of repair and service
locations. In addition to the fuel savings, consumers also like
hybrid electric powertrains because they feel they are better for
the environment, but worry about their reliability, life of the
battery pack, and performance, particularly in acceleration.
"If the average price drivers are paying for gasoline continues to
steadily climb, then the clean diesel engines and hybrid electric
powertrains that automakers are bringing to the market could be much
more successful than skeptics, and even some proponents, expect,"
said Walter McManus, executive director of global forecasting at
J.D. Power and Associates.
On average, study respondents indicate that they expect the price
they pay for a gallon of gas to rise by 2 percent per year.
However, about one-quarter of these vehicle owners expect fuel
prices to rise by 6 percent or more each year.
"The faster a consumer expects fuel prices to rise, the more likely
they are to buy a vehicle with a hybrid electric powertrain or a
clean diesel engine," McManus said. "Still, most consumers want to
see the up-front costs of purchasing a hybrid or clean diesel offset
by the fuel savings."
The premium for purchasing a new light vehicle with a clean diesel
engine averages approximately $2,500 and the premium for a hybrid
electric powertrain averages approximately $4,000, according to the
study. Most consumers would have to own such vehicles several years
before recovering their investment through fuel savings.
"While consumer demand for clean diesel engines exceeds demand for
hybrid electric powertrains, we're still at least two years away
from the first clean diesel engines coming to market," McManus said.
"Even then, manufacturers appear to be planning fewer clean
diesel-powered models than hybrids, thus clean diesel sales will lag
hybrid sales for at least the next several years."
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates
is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm
operating in key business sectors including market research,
forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The
firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses
from millions of consumers annually. Media e-mail contact:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the
information in this release without the express prior written
consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com
For further information, please contact East Coast, John Tews,
+1-248-321-5109, or West Coast, Michael Greywitt, +1-805-501-2183,
both of J.D. Power and Associates.
SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates CO: J.D. Power and Associates ST:
California SU: SVY Web site http://www.jdpower.com
http://www.prnewswire.com 04/06/2004 09:02 EDT
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--- Begin Message ---
Lawrence Rhodes wrote:
We have an old Lincoln stick welder. Could I use this as a charger?
Lawrence Rhodes...........
I did at one time. BIG bad boy. A 100A bridge diodes on heat
sinks were connected (I had only AC welder). If you have AC/DC model,
you got diodes.
The original secondary winding was removed (aluminum square wire)
and I added my own made of just regular hook up wire. It produced 80V
which connected in series with 240V mains made 300VAC output total
nesessary for 420VDC to finish string of 28 optimas.
Beware - the hook up wire gets hot and insulation of internal turns
melts if you draw 20A or so because of lack of cooling even with
fan running. You need to space turns apart.
20A on the open air makes wire (ga14) a bit warm, but it was OK.
You can adjust the current by the crank, but beware, there is
no voltage regulation. This boy is just as bad as its smaller
brother in that respect.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Chris Zach wrote:
I need something that can pull a 30amp load from a 12 volt battery
for up to 60 minutes. My plan is to run the batteries down to zero,
then time how long it takes for this to happen. "Zero" in this case
is 10.66 volts, the bottom for the Hawker Genesis family.
Any suggestions on what to build? Something that I can use to test
multiple batteries would be optimal...
Hi Chris,
Sorry to hear you're still having problems with your Hawkers.
As far as test loads go, I use coat hangers in buckets of water.
( I stole this idea from Paul [ Neon ] and his nice EV beach buggy )
I've found that using 4 of the copper-plated steel coathangers
( approx 1/16th inch diameter, maybe 2 feet of
useable wire per hanger )
in series works well as a test load on a 12v battery,
reconfiguring them into two parallel strings of two coathangers
makes a good 100+ amp load.
I also used this load ( with the motor's field in series )
to test the output current from the Curtis I had for a while,
yes, it took 400 amps for a second or two! It started to
boil water quickly... but Madman knows lots more about
boiling water using EV stuff! ;-)
I wound my coathangers into "coils" by winding them around
a wooden stick and making an eye at each end for a bolt.
( I then removed the stick, I didn't want to set fire to it! )
So the hot metal wouldn't melt through my plastic bucket,
I put some concrete roofing tiles in the bottom and the
sides - they won't melt!
Even though steel changes its resistance a lot with temperature,
the discharge currents were remarkably stable while I was hunting
down my bad batteries in Mellow Yellow.
To keep things cool, I put a garden-fountain pump into the bucket,
and used it to pump the water through a small radiator. A muffin
fan cools the radiator enough for doing a full discharge on a
12v 50 Ah Dynasty battery, without the water temperature rising
by more than 30 deg C ( doing this in cold weather is harder on
the batteries, but the water stays cooler )
You do need to watch for corrosion though, after just a few days,
the coathangers got a bit rusty if left in the water.
H.T.H.
Richard Bebbington
electric Mini pickup
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
*********START OF MEETING / RALLY ANNOUNCEMENT***********
Annual Spring EV Display & Drive/Ride Rally
Saturday, April 24, 2004
10 am to 4 pm.
Meeting Location: Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA
Public outreach event.
April is the month of Earth Day celebrations. Besides encouraging members to
participate in the various Earth Day events around the area, we also have
our own event. Our Chapter holds our annual EV Rally in Concord/Pleasant
Hill, on the north-east side of our membership coverage. (We have another
rally in the Fall in Hayward.) During this event, we display our EVs, which
encourages people to come up and ask lots of questions. We also have a
driving route, where people can be a passenger in an EV and experience
first-hand the quiet and gas-free virtues of electric drive.
Driving route starts and stops at Diablo Valley College, in Pleasant Hill.
Then travels around the Sun Valley Mall, under highway I-680, past several
car/SUV dealerships, past the Willow Shopping Center in Concord, back under
the freeway and around the front of Sun Valley Mall again. It's a 3.2 mile
loop. Great exposure.
For the adventurous types, we also record the distance traveled during the
rally, so see how far various types of vehicles can travel on city streets
on a single charge. In anticipation of this, we encourage participate who
have a distance to travel to arrange to tow or trailer their vehicle to this
site. We have a staging area where EVs can be left over-night, and charging
both at the adjacent Sun Valley Mall (Avcon and LPI) and through at least
one member's house close to the Rally site.
See website for contact information if you need to make charging or other
arrangements. This year we hope to gather more member's EVs than last year,
and have an enjoyable day talking to everyone about how they can beat the
high price of gasoline!
Freeway and public transportation directions listed on website. Also have
map of the DVC campus and the Rally route. Hope to have Sparrows and
RAV4-EVs and conversions there. Even plan to have a wonderfully painted
CitiCar for SUV owners to see and ride in. Encourage any and all EVs
(electric vehicles), from e-scooters and e-bikes, to conversions and more.
http://www.geocities.com/ebeaa
**********END OF MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT************
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(nEV Dealership Opens In Seattle)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/2962246/detail.html
Electric Car Dealership Opens In Seattle
Karen O'Leary KIRO 7 Eyewitness News
POSTED: 5:17 pm PST March 30, 2004
UPDATED: 9:11 am PST March 31, 2004
SEATTLE -- One consequence of record-high gasoline prices is
increased interest in cars that run on alternative fuels. Just in
time to answer the demand, there's a new electric car dealership in
Seattle.
Video
Electric Car Test Drive
With gas prices going ever higher, more people are searching for
alternatives, including cars that you plug in.
What surprises you is what you don't hear: No gas-powered engine
noise in the electric car we drove, one of the first to be sold in
Seattle.
MORE ON ELECTRIC CARS
Seattle Electric Vehicle Association Web Site
The car is one of several models of N.E.V.'s -- neighborhood
electric vehicles, which the legislature legalized for Washington
streets last year.
Tuesday, the first dealership opened: MC Electric Vehicles, on
Dearborn.
"We're looking forward to selling lots of these, with the price of
fuel going the way it is and the cost of maintenance on regular
vehicles. We think the timing has been real good and we're very
fortunate," Jim Johnson, with MC Electric Vehicles.
The cars aren't for everyone. They top out at 25 miles per hour and
go about 30 miles before they need to be charged again. To many,
perhaps, it's the perfect second car.
"This isn't something that's going to work for everyone. We
certainly have no expectation that this is going to replace vehicles
all over the place but this is a really a practical vehicle for a
lot of uses," said Linda Graham of the Clean Cities Coalition.
And as long as you don't need to hit the freeway, it's not bad.
Reporter in electric car: It does seem to have plenty of get up and
go in a neighborhood. We're in the International District. I feel
comfortable even at 25 miles per hour.
There is a way to go faster, and drive longer between charges by
converting a gas-powered car.
"It's the independence from the oil companies and from foreign oil.
A lot of people think that we're a bunch of environmentalists and
want less pollution but what this is really about is becoming more
independent," Dave Cloud of the Seattle Electric Vehicle
Association.
Electric cars may not be for everyone, but promoters hope you'll
consider them.
Copyright 2004 by KIROTV.com. All rights reserved. -
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EVLN(FedEx hybrids)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull.asp?id=6779
Low-Emission Hybrid Trucks Making the Rounds in Sacramento
A major delivery service company is testing hybrid diesel-electric
delivery trucks on Sacramento roads, with hopes they'll eventually
replace its gas-powered fleet.
FedEx Corporation unveiled its FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric
vehicle in a ceremony at the State Capitol Tuesday. Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger was on hand to tout the fuel-efficient and
environmentally-friendly technology.
The new FedEx trucks have an electric motor married to a diesel
engine. An onboard computer automatically switches from electric to
diesel power during acceleration and other high load situations.
The company acquired the trucks after being challenged to do so by
Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit environmental
group. The Eaton Company of Cleveland, Ohio, developed the electric
powertrain.
Early test results show the hybrid truck reduces air particulate
emissions by 90 percent and gaseous emissions by 75 percent. The
trucks use fuel at about 50 percent of the rate of non-hybrid
vehicles.
FedEx driver Beth Fullenwider has been making deliveries in the
hybrid
during the past three-and-a-half weeks. "Usually when you're idling
or
driving really slowly it uses the electric, but when you give it the
gas, the diesel kicks in." she reports. "It recharges itself."
FedEx is testing two trucks in Sacramento. Up to 18 additional trucks
may hit the roads in other cities by autumn. The company envisions
replacing its 30,000 unit truck fleet with hybrids over the next 10
years.
Vehicle manufacturers are being encouraged to develop hybrids to
reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and cut air pollution. A hybrid
purchase by either an individual or a business can qualify for tax
credits.
Video
[ http://www.kxtv.com/video/video-player.asp?storyid=6779 realplayer]
Story last updated Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 2:04 AM
-
[ http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/fedex_hybrid/ ]
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EVLN(Toyota raises price of Prius by $300)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0404/05/b01-110624.htm
Toyota is increasing the Prius' price to reflect strong demand. Sales
soared 62 percent in the first quarter.
Toyota raises price of Prius by $300
Automaker raises stickers on 10 models by average of $79
By Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
TORRANCE, Calif. � Toyota Motor Co., overwhelmed with demand for its
new Prius hybrid, will raise the price on the fuel-efficient,
gasoline-electric vehicle by $300 to $20,295.
The price increase, which takes effect on Saturday, is part of a
series of pricing adjustments Toyota is announcing today.
[...]
Prius sales in the United States surged 62 percent in the first
quarter of 2004 to 9,918 units.
The price increase on the Prius is partly designed to recoup the cost
of developing the car�s dual-powertrain technology. But the move also
reflects higher-than-anticipated demand for the new, more stylish
Prius launched last October.
The current model appeals to a broader base of customers � not just
people buying it because it�s environmentally friendly, but also for
the gas mileage,� said Alan DeCarr, group vice president of Toyota�s
U.S. sales arm.
The Prius, powered by an electric motor in congested driving and a
regular gas engine at higher speeds, gets 60 miles per gallon in the
city and 51 mpg on the highway, according to Environmental Protection
Agency tests.
Professional test drivers register slightly lower gas mileage, but
the
Prius is still among the most fuel-efficient and clean vehicles on
the
road.
The first Prius, launched in the United States in 2000, was popular
in
markets such as San Francisco, but the new model is catching on in
more regions of the country.
Even in Texas, the first thing our dealers wanted was more Prius
models,� said Jim Press, executive vice president of Toyota Motor
Sales.
Toyota sent letters to 20,000 customers who ordered Prius cars by
March 9, informing them that it will refund them the $300 price
increase.
Toyota�s U.S. operations, which originally expected 30,000 Prius
sales
for 2004, have already obtained a higher allocation of the vehicles,
now built only in the company�s Tsutsumi factory in Japan.
You can reach Christine Tierney at (313) 222-1463 or
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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EVLN(Taipei subsidies to switch to electric bicycles)-long
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
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Taipei subsidies to switch to electric bicycles
http://th.gio.gov.tw/show.cfm?news_id=20385
Taiwan Headlines
Taipei residents bicycling for fun, fitness and environmentalism
Published:March 30, 2004
Source:Taiwan Journal
For many years, Taiwan has made some of the world's best-selling --
and best -- bicycles. When the industry started up after World War
II,
the local market was small, and the concept of riding a bicycle for
pleasure had not yet taken root in the country. Thus, Taiwanese
bicycle makers targeted export markets from the beginning.
Attitudes toward cycling have come a long way since then, especially
in recent years. More and more Taiwanese have come to view it as a
form of recreation for young and old alike, as a way of staying fit
and as environmentally responsible.
In addition to changes in local consumer attitude, competition for
international market share has heated up with the emergence of
bicycle industries in countries with cheaper labor.
These developments have prompted Taiwan's bicycle makers to come up
with new strategies. On the one hand, they have set up factories in
China to produce low- and mid-range bikes, mainly for the Chinese
market. On the other, they have switched the focus of their
manufacturing operations in Taiwan to high-end, value-added products
for markets not only abroad but at home.
In an attempt to improve air quality, Taipei in 2001 became the
first city, to offer subsidies for scooter riders to switch to
electric bicycles. In recent years, Taipei and other cities around
the island have also started making paths for bicycles and other
nonpolluting vehicles.
Moreover, several counties and municipalities in eastern Taiwan have
been promoting bicycle tours as a way of boosting tourism. Among
them, Hualian's 15-km-long Gangbin Bike Trail along the island's
scenic northeastern coast has become a major attraction for
nature-loving tourists.
Bike paths in Taipei were not established until just two years ago,
partly because of difficulties in ensuring the safety of both
pedestrians and cyclists in such a crowded city where open space is
at a premium, partly because Taipei has long had the island's best,
most convenient public transportation system, and bicycles ceased
being a common mode of transportation several decades ago.
People who grew up in less developed towns in central and southern
Taiwan, by contrast, still have vivid memories of riding bikes to
school. Even in many such places, however, bicycles were not
welcomed in parks.
Things have changed quite a bit now. The coming of riverside bike
paths has won the hearts of people throughout Taipei. Currently,
there are 12 bike paths along the Keelung, Tamsui, Jingmei and
Sindian rivers, several of which are connected. So far, Taipei City
has completed 55 km of such riverside bike paths, according to the
city's Bureau of Riverside Park Management, and by the end of this
year, all of them will be connected, forming a network 100 km in
length.
Each path offers its own distinctive sights. For instance, you can
see migratory birds at the Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park. The
Tamsui River has plenty of cultural sites along the way, and at
Meiti Riverside Park you can see planes taking off and landing not
far away. The Guandu Nature Park Route has the Guandu Plain and
offers expansive views of Guanyin Mountain and the confluence of the
Keelung and Tamsui rivers. One can observe teals, gray-faced
buzzards, and egrets. Further north, there's the Mangrove Forest
Ecology Area waiting for you.
The most accessible bike path for residents in southern Taipei City
is the Jingfu Bike Path, which runs from Yongfu Bridge southward, to
Jingmei Old Bridge. If you enter the path from the Jingmei Old
Bridge, you instantly feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of
traffic. Beginners and those who are not familiar with the area are
encouraged to try this northern stretch along the Jingmei River. It
is a flat ride, and the path's three-km length is perfect for
getting the feel of riverside biking.
The Jingfu Bike Path is more than a paved road for bicycles. Along
the way are different kinds of sport and recreational facilities.
There are basketball, tennis and badminton courts, softball and
football fields, and areas for skating and bumper cars. Under the
Jingmei Bridge, community dance-club members can be found waltzing
or learning a new dance.
The Web site of Taiwan Fun magazine gives special attention to this
path, noting that it is wide enough for cyclists and runners to
coexist happily. The reason it is wider than most bike paths is that
it started off as a temporary road, built about 10 years ago to ease
traffic congestion caused by construction of the Mass Rapid Transit
(MRT), Taipei's metro train service.
There are people using the bike path for commuting between home and
work. "Commuting by bike is not necessarily much slower," says
Zachary Hogan, who lives in Hsintien, south of the city. "It takes
me 45 minutes to ride my bike to my office, compared with 35 minutes
by the MRT." The 10-minute difference is worthwhile for people like
Hogan who like variety in their commute.
Biking is an economical as well as pleasant way of exercising. "Why
pay a lot of bucks to pedal a bike machine when you can ride all you
want for the cost of a bike?" asked Hogan.
In addition to long riverside bike paths, City Hall has completed
several shorter paths in downtown areas as well -- in Da-an Park and
along Xinsheng South Road, Roosevelt Road, Zhonghua Road and Songzhi
Road. Moreover, the Xinyi district's bike-only circuit will be open
for use next month.
Folding bicycles are becoming a popular choice for short-distance
transportation. When graduate student Jhou Wei-shao wanted to buy a
bike for getting around on campus, at the suggestion of a Japanese
classmate she bought a folding bike.
A special advantage of such a bike, her classmate said, is that she
can easily take it with her whenever she goes back to Japan. Noting
that there are many kinds of folding bikes to choose from, Jhou
pointed out that it is also convenient to stick them in the trunk
when she goes on car trips.
What she appreciates most about her US$100 folding bike is its light
weight, only 7.5 kg. This is important for her, she explained,
because she lives on the third floor of an apartment building with
no elevator and she has to carry her bike up and down the stairs
every day.
Since this January, bicyclists have been allowed to take their
bicycles onto MRT trains. Still just a trial program, there are
restrictions on days -- weekends and holidays -- as well as stations
and cars. These restrictions apply only to ordinary bikes, however.
Owners of foldables can carry their wheels with them wherever they
go on the MRT or on buses and conveniently pedal onward to points
throughout the city.
Big cities all over the world are becoming cycle-friendly. Visitors
to Amsterdam will discover that cycling is indeed a popular form of
transportation there. And the profusion of cyclists near train
stations in Tokyo or Osaka is an eye-opening experience -- and
inspiration -- for tourists from Taiwan.
Soon, Taipei cyclists will be able to take their bikes onto the
"Blue Highway" -- a sightseeing boat that runs up and down the
Tamsui River and its tributary, the Keelung River, the life-giving
arteries of the Taipei Basin. It is the hope of the city government
that more and more people will take advantage of these "green"
transportation opportunities, not only for occasional outings but as
much as possible for routine commuting.
-
[ http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/electric_cycling/ ]
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EVLN(Paragould @ Arkansas 1st Electric Vehicle Rally)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.asp?ID=4523 Monday, April 05,
2004 Electric wheels
A team of Paragould High School students will go to Little Rock
Saturday to compete in the first Arkansas Electric Vehicle Rally.
Team members include John Hoskins (from left), Cody Hay, Zach Mears
and Julie Bishop. --Sun photo by Amanda Harris Paragould students
take electric vehicle to state competition By Amanda Harris
PARAGOULD -- A group of Paragould High School students are Little
Rock-bound to participate in the state's first electric vehicle
rally.
The event, sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, is
slated for Saturday. And the students expect to compete against at
least five other high school teams in the state's inaugural EV
rally.
Paragould's team of advanced placement science students participated
in a national EV competition in November.
They came in ninth overall in an event consisting of 24 teams from
four states. Out of six categories the PHS group took first place in
the oral presentation event, and fourth place in both the quiz bowl
and range events.
Team members include seniors John Hoskins, Kevin Miller, Zach Mears,
Callie Williams, Cody Hay, Kristen Keeling and Bucky Morris. Juniors
on the team are Erica Swallow, Kim Parker and Emily Johnson.
Students know of six high school teams, including Corning, Waldron
and Westside (Western Johnson County) that will participate in a
state competition in which students are charged with building a
vehicle that is powered by electricity.
The Paragould team purchased an EV kit, and the resulting product is
very similar to a go-cart. But this one has a "Go Rams" flag.
Saturday vehicles will be subjected to technical inspections before
the contest gets under way at the State Fair Grounds.
Following the inspection, participants will take pat in a series of
competitions, including a troubleshooting event in which students
must diagnose problems with an electric vehicle that does not
function properly.
Also included will be an oral presentation competition in which
students must make presentations to a panel of judges about what was
wrong with the vehicle inspected in the troubleshooting portion of
the contest.
After lunch, an acceleration event will tests the acceleration rate
of each EV. Then the competition moves on to an autocross
component.
The pace then slows down for a quiz bowl contest to test the
knowledge in relation to EVs.
The last event of the day will be a range competition to measure how
long an EV can run on a single charge.
Students operating the EVs during competition are required to wear
full face shielding helmets, gloves and neck stabilizing equipment.
One student pointed out that the rally gives students opportunity to
inspect the different sources of energy available to power
automobiles, "because fossil fuels won't always be around."
The inclusion of three academic segments and three physical segments
allows for teams to have a good mix of students.
Nick Manatt, member services manager from Clay County Electric
Cooperative in Corning and co-director of the Arkansas EV Rally,
said the "program motivates students to be excited about learning
and exploring, both in an academic and in a hands-on setting. It
shows how real-world applications of what is taught in the classroom
can accelerate the learning process."
PHS EV team sponsors Michelle Guinn and Jolie Wang stressed that the
students get a real sense of accomplishment from building something
that works.
The winner of the Arkansas rally will receive $500 to help members
take part in a national competition. Copyright � 2004, Jonesboro Sun
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EVLN(nEVs&hybrids @ 2nd National AFV Day Odyssey, PALM DESERT)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/business/20040403002607.shtml
Alternative fuel vehicles may be solution to rising gas prices
By Rae Ann Rockhill The Desert Sun April 3, 2004
PALM DESERT -- They burn less fuel, produce fewer emissions and in
some cases lack the characteristic engine purr. And now advanced
technology and alternative fuel vehicles are being touted as
America�s answer to escalating gasoline prices and dependence on
foreign oil.
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium Friday kicked off
its second National AFV Day Odyssey at College of the Desert to
promote alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles.
Similar education and outreach events were held at 53 other sites
across the United States and Canada.
The United States spends about $2 billion a week on oil imports,
mostly for transportation fuel, according to the U.S. Department of
Energy.
"If everyone in America were to start driving a Honda hybrid or
Toyota Prius today, we would ease our dependence on foreign oil
almost overnight," said Al Ebron, executive director of the West
Virginia University-based consortium.
The Japanese automakers� gas/electric hybrid low-emission vehicles
average upwards of 50 miles per gallon. In addition to the hybrids,
automobile manufacturers also displayed electric vehicles and the
sporty hydrogen-powered Cobra.
Some Coachella Valley residents are already tuned in to the benefits
of buying low-emission and alternative fuel vehicles. Last summer,
John and Barbara Worley of Sun City drove their Civic Hybrid
cross-country, putting 9,000 miles on the sedan.
"We averaged about 45 miles per gallon on the trip," Barbara Worley
said. "And with the price of gas, you don�t have to fill up quite as
often with the hybrid."
The valley is also DaimlerChrysler�s top market for its Global
Electric Motorcars. The numerous golf resorts and planned
communities combined with the desert climate are a perfect fit for
the open-air vehicles, said Richard Kasper, GEM president and chief
operating officer.
GEM has more than 28,000 of the zero-emission vehicles on the road
worldwide. Californians drive about a third of those.
GEM�s No. 1 dealer, Crystal Chrysler in Cathedral City, accounted
for about 1,500 of those sales, Kasper said. The company unveiled
its 2005 models Friday at the dealership in tandem with the Odyssey
Day.
Clark Sharar, GEM sales manager, said consumers accounted for about
80 percent of sales a year-and-a-half ago, with corporate fleet
sales accounting for the rest.
"But now it�s flipped the other way," Sharar said. "It�s not the
golf cart driver that we�re after anymore."
He said corporations are learning that electric vehicles, which cost
only 1.5 cents per mile to operate, can save them money.
City governments are getting into the action, too.
Palm Desert and Palm Springs operate free charging stations where
drivers can get a boost. Unlike other alternative fuel vehicles, the
electric cars can�t travel more than about 30 miles without a
charge.
For drivers or corporations interested in any of the alternative
vehicles, the federal government offers tax credits to reduce the
price.
The Worleys received $2,500 in federal and state incentives when
they bought their hybrid.
"You take the tax credit and rebate and it doesn�t cost much more
than a regular car," John Worley said.
Vehicles must have been leased or purchased by March 1 to qualify
for the last of state tax incentives.
However, federal tax credits are still in effect. Clean fuel vehicle
deductions and credits are available through the end of this year.
Electric vehicle tax credits are available at 10 percent of vehicle
costs or a maximum of $4,000.
The credits -- available for business or personal vehicles -- are
reduced at a rate of 25 percent per year until fully phased out.
Rae Ann Rockhill covers tourism and Indian gaming for The Desert
Sun. She can be reached at 778-4620 or by E-mail.
Copyright � 2004 The Desert Sun. � Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones
Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107 � (703) 854-6000
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