EV Digest 3451
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Extension cord?
by Ryan Bohm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) Re: Updated EV charging access list for San Francisco - 13 locations to date -
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) Re: Prius rental
by Alan Batie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) Re: Prius EV mode (was PR rant (Escape hybrid) and a little Prius experience)
by Alan Batie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) Re: Prius rental
by Derrick J Brashear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) Re: Controller isoaltion (Re: ACPropulsion combo on eBay)
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) Re: average DC from 220 after bridge?
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) 140 VAC enough for 154 VDC pack?
by elaine chiu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) got torque?
by Jim Coate <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) Re: EVLN(SC802 series of Li-ion/-polymer battery charger ICs)
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) OT: RE: Three-wheel Clever Car
by "Ed Thorpe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) Re: Prius EV mode (was PR rant (Escape hybrid) and a little Prius
experience)
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) Re: Controller isoaltion (Re: ACPropulsion combo on eBay)
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) Re: Why Advanced DC Motors ?
by Jim Coate <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) Re: Prius EV mode (was PR rant (Escape hybrid) and a little Prius experience)
by Edward Ang <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
16) Re: Organic 'radical' Battery, NiMH capacity, fast recharge...
by "Peter Eckhoff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
17) RE: Instrument recommendations wanted
by "Ed Thorpe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
18) EVLN(EV charger installer runs for Serra Madre city council seat)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
19) EVLN(Hybrid Owners Get Tax Relief)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
20) EVLN(Critics Want More GUILT-FREE SUV hybrids)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
21) EVLN(Ford Mercury Mariner SUV hybrid to debut 2007)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
22) EVLN(Ford can't use Pep Boys' Futura name for new hybrid sedan model)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
23) EVLN(Law to open hov lanes to low mpg SUV hybrids)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
24) EVLN(30 Prius hybrids converted to the h2 highway in SCAQMD's fleet)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Begin Message ---
Found this:
"A receptacle outlet is required outdoors at grade level at the front
and back of each one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family
dwelling. (These receptacles must have ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection.)"
at https://www.nfpa.org/nec/TheNEC/index.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1
Do you think I could use this as leverage to get an outlet outside?
-Ryan
David Roden wrote:
On 6 Apr 2004 at 21:48, Ryan Bohm wrote:
Since the landlord removed the outside electrical plug when he remodeled our
apartment complex a couple summers ago
Doesn't the NEC (national electrical code) require exterior power
receptacles on all residential structures?
--
For the best price on Zillas, visit http://www.evsource.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Thanks Danny for keeping us uptodate on SF charging.
I will assume that each spot has one AVCON.
It would be good to know which of these spots is
usually busy 8a-5pm, with a regular EV parked there.
=====
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. EV List Editor & RE newswires
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--- Begin Message ---
On Thu, Apr 08, 2004 at 06:32:31PM -0000, acid_lead wrote:
> Hi Alan - May I ask where you rented the Prius from? Thanks.
The local Toyota dealer (Beaverton Toyota) rents them; they needed a
couple weeks or so lead time because they're popular. Of course their
stupid policy that if you take it out of state, there's a minimum 1 week
rental on it doesn't help.
--
Alan Batie ______ alan.batie.org Me
alan at batie.org \ / www.qrd.org The Triangle
PGPFP DE 3C 29 17 C0 49 7A \ / www.pgpi.com The Weird Numbers
27 40 A5 3C 37 4A DA 52 B9 \/ spamassassin.taint.org NO SPAM!
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we
are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
-Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Thu, Apr 08, 2004 at 12:57:49PM -0600, Will Bain wrote:
> http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf
Way cool, thanks! Now to hope they put it in the highlander next year
too!
--
Alan Batie ______ alan.batie.org Me
alan at batie.org \ / www.qrd.org The Triangle
PGPFP DE 3C 29 17 C0 49 7A \ / www.pgpi.com The Weird Numbers
27 40 A5 3C 37 4A DA 52 B9 \/ spamassassin.taint.org NO SPAM!
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we
are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
-Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Thu, 8 Apr 2004, Alan Batie wrote:
> On Thu, Apr 08, 2004 at 06:32:31PM -0000, acid_lead wrote:
> > Hi Alan - May I ask where you rented the Prius from? Thanks.
>
> The local Toyota dealer (Beaverton Toyota) rents them; they needed a
> couple weeks or so lead time because they're popular. Of course their
> stupid policy that if you take it out of state, there's a minimum 1 week
> rental on it doesn't help.
Many Toyota dealers apparently participate in the "Toyota Rent-a-Car"
program. A google search for "toyota trac" should find more information.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Joe Smalley wrote:
The chassis is connected to the green wire safety ground at the AC outlet.
NOT the battery pack negative terminal.
My understanding is (I may be wrong) the green safety wire (mains)
is at the same potental as neutral since they have to be connected
together at one point somewhere behind distribution panel.
And neutral is usually connected to the car chassy - the whole
point is to prevent the shocks if you're on the wet floor and touch
the chassy.
What voltage is present between charger neg output and chassy then
(while on charge)? If an input bridge is directly across the mains,
the neg output must have 120VAC half-periods vs chassy, correct?
That makes connecting any instrument in the neg battery cable
difficult since you no longer can use chassy as a reference
(i.e. you absolutely cannot ground neg side of the pack).
Not that you always have to, I just want to understand this
issue better.
Joe Smalley
Rural Kitsap County WA
Fiesta 48 volts
NEDRA 48 volt street conversion record holder
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Mark Thomasson wrote:
For a full bridge expect to see DC output (peaks) to be
~1.4 times (sqrt of 2) of AC input. If you rectify 220VAC
(which is 308V peak) you get 308V"DC" output.
Now, you of course still get 220V DC average (after all
a bridge ain't a step up transformer :-)
To be precise, I think you mean 220V DC is the rms or effective value. The
average value of a full-wave rectified sine wave is 0.637 * Peak Voltage, or
0.637 * 311v = 198 v. But still, rms is the value you want to use. Mark T.
I meant 220VAC peak to peak which is 308V; not neutral to either 220 leg
which is 164V neutral to peak.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
thanks for the responses on my 220AC question. I had it backward
(that's why I checked)
anyhow, if the actual peak VAC is higher than the 140 I can get out of
a variac, would a 110 to 140 VAC variac be enough to charge my new/used
pickup with 154 VDC pack?
seems like yes, am I wrong?
elaine
'76 citicar
154V '87 dodge pickup ocnversion (next week)
p.s. this amateur charging setup is only going to be temporary. I'll
have to find a 220 outlet at work, or buy (ouch!) a 110VAC charger
capable of 154VDC charging.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The AC Propulsion 150 KW drive (ie the thing on eBay) has a "maximum
torque of 223.8 N-m @ 0 – 5,000 rpm", which if my math is right is 165
ft-lbs.
I seem to recall people talking about numbers of around 200 ft-lbs of
torque from a DC motor on a 1000 amp controller and 400 ft-lbs with a
2000 amp controller. Or maybe it was 400 ft-lbs per 1000, so 800 from
2000 amps?
Are these numbers in the right ballpark for a valid comparison?
_________
Jim Coate
1970's Elec-Trak
1992 Chevy S-10 BEV
1997 Chevy S-10 NGV
http://www.eeevee.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Bob Bath wrote:
This is all well and good, but how does it help EV
enthusiasts that want to go higher quality LiP batts.
long-term... They charge and discharge at higher
currents.
These are highly specialized chips tailored for cell phone
and PDA batteries. In fact, many companies make them, but
if you try to measure EV battery voltages with it, it is
so challenging to do accurately that easier to use different
approach. They have fixed thresholds and usually no inputs for
compensation - they meant to be installed directly on the battery
they monitor so the chip's temp represents battery temp.
Not to mention all these chips only come in a packages
with 0.65 mm leg spaces, very difficult to work with.
I've looked at those made by Maxim, Linear, and Philips -
they are copies of each other.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
According to the press release, it will be powered by compressed natural gas
(CNG). So not an EV nor hybrid vehicle. That makes this information OT for
the EVDL.
-Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 9:52 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; Bob Bressler; [EMAIL PROTECTED];
Dana Myers
Subject: Three-wheel Clever Car
Today's BBC News web site has an article on the Clever (Compact Low
Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport) car, a 50 mph three-wheeler
that carries two people in tandem. The tilting vehicle has been
developed by nine European countries and is funded by the EU.
The vehicle looks a bit like the Swiss SAM but has one wheel in front
and two rear. The body and front wheel tilt in unison while the rear
wheels remain level. According to BBC News, the car could sell for
6,500 pounds (about $12,000) after December 2005.
See the following web sites:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3610083.stm
www.bath.ac.uk/pr/releases/vehicle
www.carver.nl/home.html
Don McGrath
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Absolutely the best instructions I've seen. If I had a Prius,
I'd be itching to do it right away...
Will Bain wrote:
...
But hey, the fellow techno geeks on the Prius_Technical_Stuff list have
already figured out how to wire up the electric vehicle mode button, which
was standard equipment in Japan & Europe, but denied to Americans. Very
detailed instructions and drawings can be found at:
http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
David Roden wrote:
On 6 Apr 2004 at 14:52, Rich Rudman wrote:
Ah to
have the time and money to compete with a Billion Dollar company....
I'd be very surprised if Brusa were a billion dollar operation. I believe
they have between 30 and 40 employees.
If I recall, 22 employees as of last year; 40 work spaces
are available for expansion though. I'll update on this in a month
or so.
But they definitely pride themselves on doing sophisticated (and complex)
designs. Someone once said the inside of their chargers looked like it was
designed by the Borg.
I took apart my water cooled NLG5 recently. It just look like a
motherboard of a PC with modern things on it like planar HF transformers
with etched windings, etc. 'Course all surface mount.
I'll post some photos when I get time. The most attention is paid
to traditionally least reliable components - connectors. I have no
complains - http://www.metricmind.com/images/batt_mains.jpg
and _happy_ to pay what they worth. It does pay off, no surprise here.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Can you set your e-mail software to plain text so we don't get things
like "* LP8.2: HTML/Attachments detected, removed from message *"?
As for the motors, ADC has been used as it is just about the only thing
close to matching our needs. At least in the DC world. I had been eyeing
the Kostov motor (with interpoles) as a better choice, at least for
those of us with larger vehicles, but more recent reports show that it
may be a little too easy to destroy.
Netgain makes a clone of the ADC 8" and 9" motors that have beefed up
brushes, insulation, etc. Seth has one destined for his new conversion,
but I haven't heard a lot of first hand reports from anyone with such a
motor already in use.
--- original message ---
OK, one step at a time. Would anyone be willing to briefly explain why
the Advanced DC motors are preferred for EVs. What is their primary
(industrial) application ? Are there sources for used/rebuilt motors?
What are some alternatives, or is the Advanced motor truly superior and
should be bought new, no questions asked? Thanks, Michael
--
_________
Jim Coate
1970's Elec-Trak
1992 Chevy S-10 BEV
1997 Chevy S-10 NGV
http://www.eeevee.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Actually, it could be done even more simpler than
shown on the document.
I inserted a stripped 14-gauge wire into the connector
location and used a small alligator clip for grounding
on bare metal behind the glove compartment. To hold
the stripped wire in place, I used a bamboo chopstick
(those you get from Chinese restaurants to go) that I
filed one end with a blade. I filed it in a way that
I could easily break it at the connector end with a
simple twist and leave a short piece of the bamboo in
the connector. All these could be done without
removing anything. I didn't even use a screw driver.
It could be done is less than 15 minutes. I left the
switch in the glove compartment. The whole thing
could be removed in a few seconds without leaving any
"evident" ;)
And, yes, the EV button is very useful. It is
especially useful when I just want to move my Prius in
and out of the garage. But, I did overuse it once
right before I needed the power to accelerate onto the
freeway. Man! It was like pulling a heavy trailer
behind me because the ICE had to do all the work and
it also had to recharge the batteries.
Ed Ang
--- Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Absolutely the best instructions I've seen. If I had
> a Prius,
> I'd be itching to do it right away...
>
> Will Bain wrote:
>
> ...
> > But hey, the fellow techno geeks on the
> Prius_Technical_Stuff list have
> > already figured out how to wire up the electric
> vehicle mode button, which
> > was standard equipment in Japan & Europe, but
> denied to Americans. Very
> > detailed instructions and drawings can be found
> at:
> >
> > http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf
> >
>
> --
> Victor
> '91 ACRX - something different
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
So what you are saying is that they test the anode and cathode
**individually** and the anode was at 92% of capacity after 1000 cycles?
So what the graph (Fig. 5) is saying is that with graphite as the anode,
cycle life of the complete battery was brought up to a specific capacity of
~92% after 100 cycles instead of ~23% with a lithium anode?
So with a different anode material, cycle life could be extended further
toward a 1000 cycles?
----- Original Message -----
From: "pekka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 7:58 AM
Subject: Re: Organic 'radical' Battery, NiMH capacity, fast recharge...
> Peter Eckhoff wrote:
> > I just finished reading one of the papers:
> > http://www2.electrochem.org/cgi-bin/abs?mtg=012&abs=0186&type=pdf In
the
> > paper, it says that the specific capacity declines to 92% in 1000 (one
> > thousand) cycles while the graph it references shows a decline to 92% in
100
> > (one hundred) cycles. Either some one did not do a very good job proof
> > reading their paper or the decline reaches 92% and stays there for
another
> > 900 cycles.
>
> Well, you did not read it with thought; it says the cycles for the PTMA
> electrode are 1000/92% so cell life is determined by the anode, where
> graphite looks promising (only slight degradation to 100 cycles) as
> compared to lithium metal.
>
> Pekka
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
If you are using a deluxe model e-meter (has a serial port / aka RS-232),
then connect up an inexpensive Palm and see volts/amps/ahr/kwh readings at
the same time, using Peter Ohler's EVdash program.
http://www.ohler.com/palm/EVDash.html
http://www.e-m-w.com/palm/
Also does data capture and graphing.
No need to separate amp nor volt meter.
Now if you can just hide the e-meter somewhere rather than making a hole in
your dash...
-Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of Jim Coate
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 8:41 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Instrument recommendations wanted
I think we once determined guitar and bassoon were the instruments of
choice amongst the EVDLers :-)
As for your real question, I like having a battery temperature gauge.
For this EV at least it is just an LCD indoor/outdoor thermometer with
the "outside" probe stuffed down between the batteries in the handiest
battery box. Or you can add a temp sensor to the e-meter and combine
functions that way.
I also like having an ammeter in addition to the e-meter. Then can leave
the e-meter on voltage and still see the current (switchable between
motor & battery amps).
What controller are you using? If a Zilla you need to reserve some
warning lights for that.
If you are using an ADC/Netgain motor, you can hook the temperature
switch to a warning light. Actually it may be a normally closed switch,
so need something to invert it? And most have said the trip point is
rather high, but if it ever does light up you know it is time to pull over.
Jude Anthony wrote:
> I'm planning the instrument panel in my Civic wagon. It already has a
> tach and a speedo, both of which I intend to keep. The Emeter will go
> on the driver's side window post, like a tuner's turbo gauge. There's a
> small rectangular space for the existing fuel-and-temp gauge, which need
> to be replaced, and 8 lights, of which three will be available: the
> check engine, oil, and battery lights.
>
> I intend to build a circuit to shut off the DC/DC when voltage gets low,
> and the battery light will tell me when this circuit engages. I'll
> probably use the check-engine light to tell me when the charger is
> disconnected and the car is powered (I'll salvage the hazard lens from
> some other car's instruments, making me NEDRA compliant!).
>
> That leaves the oil light and the fuel/temp gauge ready to be replaced.
> What neat things should I put there?
_________
Jim Coate
1970's Elec-Trak
1992 Chevy S-10 BEV
1997 Chevy S-10 NGV
http://www.eeevee.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(EV charger installer runs for Serra Madre city council seat)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~22097~2069684,00.html
Article Published: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 9:50:54 PM PST
6 seeking 2 council seats
Spending, development focus in Sierra Madre election
By Lisa Faught , Staff Writer
SIERRA MADRE -- Six candidates are competing for two City Council
seats in a race focused primarily on city spending and preserving
the city's small-town charm. All six are first-time candidates,
except for Bill Tice, who is retired and is now staging his sixth
bid for City Council.
The lineup for Tuesday's election also includes Jeff Bohn, an
engineer and volunteer firefighter, John Buchanan, an attorney and
library board trustee, Enid Joffe, a business owner and former
planning commissioner and Michael MineHart, a student at Mt. Sierra
College.
[...]
Joffe, whose business is installing electric vehicle chargers, said
[ http://www.cleanfuelconnection.com ]
the city's hillside ordinance prevents rampant development, but
backed extra measures to preserve wilderness.
"It would be wonderful if we could get the funds to purchase some of
the open space remaining,' Joffe said.
[...]
--
City treasurer candidate Richard Mays and longtime City Clerk Nancy
Shollenberger are running unopposed. Lisa Faught can be reached at
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4496, or by e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] .
Copyright � 2004 Pasadena Star News
-
=====
' ____
~/__|o\__
'@----- @'---(=
. http://geocities.com/brucedp/
. EV List Editor & RE newswires
. (originator of the above ASCII art)
=====
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway
http://promotions.yahoo.com/design_giveaway/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Hybrid Owners Get Tax Relief)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://fox40.trb.com/news/ktxl-040704hybrid,0,320346.story?coll=ktxl-news-3
Hybrid Owners Get Tax Relief April 7, 2004
Did you know if you bought a hybrid car last year you can take a two
thousand dollar above-the-line deduction on your taxes?
As Fox 40's Michelle Kennedy reports the demand for hybrid cars is
so great right now dealerships can barely keep up.
Hybrid cars cost more than regular cars but they will save you a lot
of money on gas.
Traci Parker of Sacramento is considering buying a Toyota Prius.
Parker says, "I am a Mom with a lot of activities and driving a lot
and I am really worried about gas prices."
With gas prices as high as they've been its no wonder Florin Road
Toyota has a list of people waiting for the Prius to come in.
Scott Raney says, "Currently we have about 60 to 70 orders we are
trying to fill."
Hybrid cars combine gasoline engines with battery powered electric
motors and they recharge themselves. The question is, if these
affordable new vehicles can save everyone so much money on gas why
aren't more of these cars out there?
UC Davis engineering professor Andrew Burke says, give it time. Dr.
Andrew Burke says, "The Japanese have been more aggressive in
developing the hybrid and they are doing well."
Some people we talked to today say they wouldn't buy a hybrid car
because they don't think it is as good as a regular car. Students
working on these cars here at UC Davis say that isn't the case.
Students converted a Ford Explorer to a hybrid electric vehicle.
Chris Nitta says, "It gets 35 miles to the gallon lower emissions."
And the list goes on. Experts estimate by 2005 more than
200-thousand hybrid cars will be on the road in the United States.
It will just take time for manufactures to get them here.
Copyright � 2004, KTXL
-
=====
' ____
~/__|o\__
'@----- @'---(=
. http://geocities.com/brucedp/
. EV List Editor & RE newswires
. (originator of the above ASCII art)
=====
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway
http://promotions.yahoo.com/design_giveaway/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Critics Want More GUILT-FREE SUV hybrids)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040407/bs_nm/autos_hybrids_dc_3
Business - Reuters
More Hybrid Cars Come, Critics Want More
Wed Apr 7,10:34 AM ET By Michael Ellis
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Automakers are promising to introduce more
gas-electric hybrid vehicles but the pace is not fast enough for
U.S. consumers who want better fuel economy as gas prices rise, or
environmentalists who complain the industry could do more to
conserve resources.
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) on Wednesday said it will add a
second hybrid, powered by both a gas engine and electric batteries,
to its lineup in late 2006 or early 2007.
The 2007 model-year Mercury Mariner hybrid sport utility vehicle
will build on the lessons learned from the Ford Escape hybrid SUV,
which goes on sale later this summer, Ford officials said at the New
York Auto Show. Ford is also planning a hybrid version of a midsize
sedan beyond 2007.
Despite what Ford described as "stepping up its commitment" to
hybrids, a coalition of environmental and human rights groups
singled out the second-largest U.S. automaker for not offering the
fuel-saving technology across its vehicle lineup.
The coalition, including the Sierra Club (news - web sites), said it
planned to demonstrate outside the New York Auto Show on Saturday,
where the industry is displaying many of its new models, to inform
the public that Ford and the industry could do more to cut emissions
and the U.S. dependence on oil imports.
"Ford has shown that they can make a 35 mpg SUV -- now they need to
use this technology throughout their fleet to clean up the
environment and cut our oil dependence," Dan Becker, director of the
Sierra Club's global warming and energy program, said in a
statement.
Although U.S. gas prices have recently hit record highs, unadjusted
for inflation, SUVs and large pickup trucks have been the
fastest-growing segments of the market this year.
But demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles such as hybrids could
grow if gas prices continue to steadily climb, J.D. Power and
Associates, a California-based research group, said following a
study of 7,126 consumers released this week.
Already, consumers in some parts of the country are on waiting lists
for hybrid vehicles.
GUILT-FREE SUVS?
Environmental groups have focused on Ford, in particular Chief
Executive Bill Ford Jr., who was an outspoken advocate for the
environment before he took over as CEO in 2001. Since then, the
automaker has backed down on one of Bill Ford's most noted
environmental initiatives -- to boost the fuel economy of Ford SUVs
by 25 percent by next year.
The Escape hybrid, Ford's first gas-electric vehicle, will be the
most fuel-efficient SUV when it goes on sale this summer, Ford said,
getting better fuel economy than most cars on the market. But the
Escape has been delayed because Ford said it needed more time for
testing.
Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Co. (7203.T) will roll out two hybrid SUVs
within the next year, in addition to its Prius sedan, which has been
on sale in the United States for about four years. Honda Motor Co.
(news - web sites) (7267.T) will offer its third hybrid late this
year when it offers the technology on a version of its popular
Accord sedan.
Both Toyota and Honda, currently the only automakers to offer
hybrids, have reported strong demand for the vehicles. Last week,
Toyota said it would raise the price of its Prius hybrid sedan by
$300 or 1.5 percent, after increasing its targeted annual U.S. sales
volume to 47,000 last December from its previous target of 36,000.
Hybrids, however, remain only a small fraction of overall U.S.
sales, which are expected to total 16.7 million vehicles this year.
One of the Toyota hybrid SUVs, the Lexus RX 400h, will usher in a
new era of hybrids that offer a racy ride without the guilt. The
RX400h, which goes on sale this fall, will accelerate from zero to
60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, about half a second faster than
the RX 330 SUV, but will get more than six miles per gallon better
fuel economy.
"When you talk to SUV buyers, the number one dissatisfaction is fuel
economy," Dennis Clements, the group vice president and general
manager of Lexus, told Reuters in an interview. "So I think that (RX
400h) will resonate. The luxury SUV business continues to grow,
quite dramatically."
Copyright � 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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EVLN(Ford Mercury Mariner SUV hybrid to debut 2007)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/hybrid7_20040407.htm FUEL
ECONOMY: Ford prepares 3rd gas-electric vehicle Mercury Mariner to
debut as 2007 model April 7, 2004 BY JAMIE BUTTERS FREE PRESS
BUSINESS WRITER
NEW YORK -- Even before its first gas-electric hybrid is sold, Ford
Motor Co. plans to build on the momentum it hopes to gain as the
first domestic automaker to sell the fuel-efficient vehicles by
offering the technology on an upcoming Mercury model.
The 2007 Mercury Mariner would be Ford's third gas-and-electric
powered vehicle, and the first outside the Ford brand.
Ford is expected to make the announcement today at the New York
International Auto Show, where chairman and CEO Bill Ford and other
executives are touting Ford's hybrid technology as gas prices hit
record highs and interest rises in alternatives to gas-guzzling
sport-utilities. A hybrid Ford Escape compact SUV is to launch late
this summer.
To show that the hybrid Escape is ready for showtime, Ford is making
a high-profile demonstration of its real-world capabilities: Driving
around Manhattan to see how many city miles can be drawn out of a
15-gallon tank.
Featuring drivers such as actor Kevin Bacon and a New York City
cabbie, the stunt is intended to show that the Escape doesn't
over-promise and under-deliver fuel savings, a knock that critics
have raised of hybrids sold by Toyota and Honda.
Ford expects the hybrid Escape to be rated between 35 and 40 m.p.g.
for city driving. That's 75 percent to 100 percent higher than the
20 m.p.g. of the conventional V6-powered Escape. The hybrid version
combines a four-cylinder engine with an electric-drive system, which
powers the car during stops and at start-ups.
Ford said the Mercury Mariner will follow the Escape this fall and a
hybrid version of a new midsize sedan, which will be built on a
modified Mazda6 architecture, or basic frame design. (That
Mexican-built model was to be called the Futura, but the auto-parts
retailer Pep Boys uses that name on a line of tires. The Mercury
Mariner name is also used on an outboard boat motor, but Ford says
it does not see a conflict. "We are comfortable with our Mercury
Mariner name," said spokesman Todd Nissen.)
Because the model shares a plant, platform and numerous components
with the Escape, the hybrid Mariner allows Ford to reach many more
customers through its Lincoln Mercury dealers, while making only
incremental investment, such as getting the Mercury version approved
by safety regulators.
Ford is also eager to refute the notion that it is simply buying
hybrid technology from Toyota.
Yes, Ford pays royalties on Toyota patents. But those are just fees
for using patents on ideas, such as driving backward in a hybrid,
Ford spokespeople say. "We will continue to develop all of our
hybrid in-house, including core research," Jim Padilla, Fords
executive vice president in charge of North and South America, said
in a statement.
The Escape, like Toyota's Prius, is a full hybrid, which means,
among other things, that it can run entirely on its electric motor.
Honda's hybrids and those General Motors Corp. plans to introduce
are so-called mild hybrids, because they use both gas engines and
electric motors, but not to the same extent.
The introduction of more hybrids may also help defuse criticism from
environmental groups that complain the industry isn't doing enough
to reduce America's pollution and dependence on foreign oil.
Sierra Club, Global Exchange, Rainforest Action Network and U.S.
Public Interest Research Group said they will rally on Saturday
outside the New York Auto Show to highlight the existing technology
that can make all cars, trucks and SUVs go farther on a gallon of
gas.
Contact JAMIE BUTTERS at 313-222-8775 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Copyright � 2004 Detroit Free Press and KnightRidder.com.
-
[ http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/mariner_hybrid/ ]
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EVLN(Ford can't use Pep Boys' Futura name for new hybrid sedan model)
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--- {EVangel}
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20040406/ca_pr_on_bu/ford_futura_2
Ford can't use Futura name for new sedan - it's owned by Pep Boys
Tue Apr 6,11:45 AM ET
DETROIT (AP) - Ford Motor Co. cannot use the name "Futura" for its
new midsized sedan because Pep Boys owns the rights to that name, a
federal court has ruled.
The automaker sued the Philadelphia-based auto parts retail chain
last summer after Pep Boys sent a letter to Ford telling them that
the use of the name violated a trademark agreement. Pep Boys has
used Futura on some of its tires since 1989. Ford announced it was
naming its new sedan Futura at the New York International Auto Show
in April of last year. The company took the name from Falcon Futura
models built between 1959 and 1962 and Fairmont Futura models in the
1970s and 1980s.
The sedan, which will be sold beginning in 2005, is to be a
replacement for the Taurus. It also will eventually be offered as a
gas-electric hybrid vehicle.
But the judge recently ruled that Ford had relinquished its rights
to Futura when it stopped using the name in the 1980s.
Ford spokeswoman Kathleen Vokes said Ford has no plans to appeal the
decision.
In 1995, Ford and Pep Boys settled a dispute over the Futura name
after Ford applied for a patent to use it on badges and insignia for
cars. Ford officials argued the 1995 deal allowed it to use the
Futura name on a new line of cars. Pep Boys disagreed.
Michael Fishman, a trademark lawyer with Rader, Fishman and Grauer,
told the Detroit News for a Tuesday story that companies lose
trademarks if they stop using them for three consecutive years. In
this case, Ford tried to prove it had not abandoned the name.
Copyright � 2004 Canadian Press
===
[
http://www.cars.com/features/autoshow2003/coverage/ny/posted/coverage_04_16_04.tmpl
]
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EVLN(Law to open hov lanes to low mpg SUV hybrids)
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informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.nbc4.tv/automotive/2986468/detail.html
Law Could Open Up Carpool Lane To Hybrid Cars
POSTED: 11:47 am PDT April 8, 2004
UPDATED: 12:07 pm PDT April 8, 2004
LOS ANGELES -- State officials and environmental leaders Thursday
unveiled legislation that would open carpool lanes to fuel-efficient
hybrid electric vehicles, regardless of the number of people riding
in them.
Hybrid cars can switch back and forth from electricity to gas.
Examples include the Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and a version of
the Honda Civic, said Susan Little, spokeswoman for Assemblywoman
Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, the bill's author.
Assembly Bill 2628 will have its first hearing Monday before the
Assembly Transportation Committee.
"This is a win, win, win -- cleaning up our air, reducing dependence
on foreign oil and saving money at the pump," Pavley said.
AB 2628 is sponsored by California Treasurer Phil Angelides, the
California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air
Resources Board.
It would give access to California's 1,112 miles of high-occupancy
vehicle lanes for hybrid electric vehicles, or HEVs, that meet
California's strictest advanced technology partial zero emission
vehicle standards and can get at least 45 miles per gallon.
In addition, some 20,000 hybrids that meet less stringent emissions
criteria but also have 45-mpg ratings would be permitted to use
carpool lanes.
Currently, access to HOV lanes is limited to vehicles carrying at
least two people; buses and other transit vehicles, motorcycles, and
low-emission vehicles.
The idea of the measure is to encourage motorists to buy cars that
get better gas mileage and burn much cleaner than other cars on the
road, and to push production of the hybrids, Little said.
The legislation would take effect only after the federal government
acts to approve the use of HOV lanes by hybrid vehicles, according
to Angelides' office.
Federal authorizing legislation is included in the pending surface
transportation bill. Federal approval is needed because federal
funds are used to construct HOV lanes.
"Opening up the state's HOV lanes to hybrid vehicles is a smart
solution that will help clear the air and reduce our dependence on
polluting fuels, and save motorists time and dollars," Angelides
said at a news conference at the Skirball Cultural Center.
He said the bill "comes at an especially important time, as gasoline
prices are skyrocketing and the need is growing to encourage clean
and environmentally sound technologies."
But Ron Roberts, a Temecula city councilman who serves as vice
president of the Southern California Association of Governments'
regional council, said he had concerns.
"It does cut down on pollution, but we may be getting away from the
purpose (of carpool lanes), which is to get people to carpool," he
said.
Copyright 2004 by NBC4.tv. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
� 2004, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
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--- {EVangel}
http://www.solaraccess.com/news/story?storyid=6475
Progress Begins on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Fleet
"This program will help bridge the technology between conventional
gasoline vehicles and fuel cell vehicles as well as to help expedite
the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure."
- Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum
Irvine, California - April 8, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] California's
South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has approved
US$2.3 million for a fuel cell company to provide the engineering,
design and development of advanced hydrogen fuel systems for a fleet
of 30 Toyota Prius Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide was selected for the
contract to develop the complete OEM-level hydrogen internal
combustion engine fuel system, including both the injection system
and hydrogen storage system. Included in the fuel systems will be
the company's patented fuel injectors, fuel rails, electronic
control system and software, hydrogen storage and a customized
turbocharger. Quantum will also integrate these hydrogen fuel
systems into the vehicles and perform complete validation including
crash testing, engine and vehicle durability, and emissions testing
to ensure compliance.
The newly awarded AQMD test fleet program will entail Quantum
performing all of the necessary engineering, safety testing,
interface with licensing agencies and validation of the model year
2004 Toyota Prius to provide a turnkey conversion that meets
performance specifications and in-use conditions determined by the
AQMD. In addition to performing in specified starting conditions and
meeting certain drivability specifications, the vehicle will also
need to achieve SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) emissions
levels.
The AQMD has identified the use of alternative clean fuels in mobile
sources as a key air quality attainment strategy. Hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles are near zero-emission vehicles but currently have limited
availability, high costs and short warranty periods. In order to
stimulate the demand for hydrogen, expedite the development of
infrastructure, and provide a bridge to fuel cell vehicles, the AQMD
has initiated an effort to establish a network of hydrogen fueling
stations and deploy a small fleet of hydrogen powered ICEs.
This program is directly in line with Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger's "hydrogen highway" initiative, which proposes to
install hydrogen fueling stations approximately every 20 miles along
major freeways throughout California. The demonstration sites for
the vehicles will include the AQMD headquarters in Diamond Bar, the
cities of Burbank, Ontario, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Santa Monica,
and subject to approval, the DoD-NAC.
The company will offer the vehicles with two hydrogen storage
configurations: Quantum's TriShield compressed hydrogen storage
system or an optional metal hydride storage system. Quantum will
integrate Texaco Ovonics' metal hydride storage into five of the 30
vehicles for evaluation. Quantum previously worked with Texaco
Ovonics to develop a hydrogen-powered concept vehicle using a model
year 2002 Toyota Prius Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
Quantum will also market these vehicles to fleets across the United
States to help promote the growth of hydrogen usage and to provide a
transitional vehicle while fuel cell vehicles are becoming more
prevalent.
"This program will help bridge the technology between conventional
gasoline vehicles and fuel cell vehicles as well as to help expedite
the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure," said Alan P.
Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "We are pleased to have
been awarded this opportunity to leverage our capabilities to assist
the AQMD in their efforts to fight smog and to create a hydrogen
economy in California--the recognized leader in clean air
initiatives."
The value of the contract may be expanded to $2.5 million,
contingent on co-funding by the Department of Defense National
Automotive Center (DoD-NAC), which would increase the total number
of vehicles to 35.
Copyright � 1999 - 2004 - SolarAccess.com - All Rights Reserved
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