EV Digest 3459
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: EV's and kids (was Re: 2 8inch vs 1 9" ot)
by Ralph Merwin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) Re: New Batteries - Which Ones Are BEST?
by Electro Automotive <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) RE: EV's and kids
by "Adams, Lynn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) Re: ADC dismantling and advice ?
by Mark Farver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) Re: Beefing up contactors
by "Mark Thomasson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) RE: ADC dismantling and advice ?
by David Brandt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) Re: ADC dismantling and advice ?
by Rod Hower <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) Lester charger shutoff bypass
by [EMAIL PROTECTED]
9) RE: ADC dismantling and advice ?
by David Brandt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) Batteries in the boondocks
by Ryan Bohm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) Mazda Cab Plus
by "Lawrence Rhodes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) RE: Batteries in the boondocks
by David Brandt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) Re: Batteries in the boondocks
by Ryan Bohm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) Re: Decisions, Decisions
by Victor Tikhonov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) RE: Mazda Cab Plus
by "Dave Stensland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
16) EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
17) EVLN(Froo-froo OT: for the EVr that has everything)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
18) EVLN(Dealers dont advertise hybrids because demand is so high)
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
19) EVLN(Honda To Introduce V6 Accord Hybrid with VCM
by Bruce EVangel Parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
20) E-Woody Pictures on the web at last!
by David Brandt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
21) RE: EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by "Ed Thorpe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
22) Re: EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by cristin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
23) RE: EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by "Bobby R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
24) RE: EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by "Bobby R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
25) RE: EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
by Sam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Begin Message ---
Lee Hart writes:
>
> But kids... Far too late, I realized that it's the kids we should be
> engaging. Their minds aren't already frozen; they are willing, even
> EAGER to learn, experiment, and try new things. Besides, THEY are the
> ones that will have to fix this mess we adults have made of our
> transportation system with its total dependence on cars and imported
> oil!
Yep. That's why I coach my 2yo daughter to put her doll's car in the
doll house garage to recharge...
Ralph
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Is it better to maintain the 96 volt system with 12v batteries or go to 64
volt system with 8v batteries?
Will your controller accept this lower voltage? The PMC 1221 will
not. Also, you will of course have to change (or at least reprogram) your
charger. Do you have a DC/DC? That might have to get changed too. What
about gauges?
Shari Prange
Electro Automotive POB 1113 Felton CA 95018-1113 Telephone 831-429-1989
http://www.electroauto.com [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Electric Car Conversion Kits * Components * Books * Videos * Since 1979
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I think Lee has the right idea, get the kids interested in EV's. I show my electric
civic at our local Boy Scout meeting during the "Auto Mechanics" meeting. The scouts
are always a lot more interested in the EV than the ICE. We go over standard auto
maintance, changing oil, checking radiator fluid, etc. and compare the ICE and EV.
I was supprised to see a (nearly) full page article in the April edition of Boys Life
(the Boy Scout's magazine) on the Tzero. Hopefully this will encourage even more
interest in EVs by young people.
Lynn
See my 100% electric car at http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/379.html
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of Lee Hart
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 11:48 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: EV's and kids (was Re: 2 8inch vs 1 9" ot)
damon henry wrote:
> Now I've got to tell a John Wayland story. Way back when, after I
> first purchased my motor and controller for my motorcycle, John
> came over to show me how to wire it all up... he immediately saw
> the interest my kids had in what was happening and spent more time
> talking with them and showing them how things work than with
> me. Of course I still got what I needed out of the exchange, but
> the thing that I remember most about that evening was how well
> John engaged my kids...
I agree! John is a great gift to us all, especially younger people! His
high performance EVs and their wild sound systems *really* inspire kids,
and get them interested in EVs.
When I started EVing, I was an evangelist and tried to inspire others. I
couldn't do it. I just don't have the personality. Besides, most adult's
minds have set like concrete -- it takes a jackhammer to even chip them.
But kids... Far too late, I realized that it's the kids we should be
engaging. Their minds aren't already frozen; they are willing, even
EAGER to learn, experiment, and try new things. Besides, THEY are the
ones that will have to fix this mess we adults have made of our
transportation system with its total dependence on cars and imported
oil!
That's why I'm doing the BEST program <http://www.bestoutreach.org>.
It's a way to teach kids about tools, problem solving, and thinking for
themselves. And incidentally, about EVs :-)
--
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Meade
--
Lee A. Hart 814 8th Ave N Sartell MN 56377 leeahart_at_earthlink.net
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Mon, 2004-04-12 at 12:01, Fortunat Mueller wrote:
> Seth,
>
> thanks for the advice.
> The rear bearing in the ADC 9" has the p/n 6305NSE.
> any idea what the NSE means ? NAPA says the closest
> they have is 6305RSJ. would that do the trick ?
>
> Is there someplace I can find a P/N decoder for NACHI
> bearings ?
Rather than Napa you might want to check your local yellow pages for an
industrial bearing supplier. Most of these places will be buried in
some warehouse area, but are usually open to the public.
Here in Austin we have Purvis Bearing, they have a encyclopedic
knowledge of bearings and have offered solutions to my oddest problems.
Best of all they are usually significantly cheaper than any other
supplier.
Mark
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
David, Sliding an insulator between the contacts would probably work, but
it would need to be thin and fast to get into the space as soon as the air
gap opens. The insulator would stretch and dissipate the ionized air until
it is no longer conductive enough to support the arc. Rather than a solid
insulator, commercial contactors use a blast of high velocity air to blow
the ionized air and the arc into arc chutes, where the ionized air is safely
stretched and dispersed until it no longer supports the arc. The air blast
works well because is begins blowing before the air gap forms, so that as
soon as the tiniest gap forms, the arc is already being blown away from the
contacts. Vacuum contactors are even better, because there is no gas
between the contacts to ionize. They are expensive but compact and light
weight. Instead of a vacuum, SF6 gas (sulfur hexaflouride) used as a
switching and insulation medium in electrical switch gear became popular in
the 1980's. SF6 is much harder to ionize than air, and avoids the problems
of maintaining sealed vacuum containers. But I've been out of touch with
the industry since the 80's, so better techniques may be available now.
Mark T.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Chapman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 10:32 PM
Subject: Beefing up contactors
> Hi all, I was tinkering around with some low voltage (28-36) hi-amperage
> (200-400) contactors that I just got in and was thinking on how to further
> extend their capacity. Mag blowouts are already planned but I was
wondering
> about also sliding an insulator between the contacts as they break.
Thoughts
> pro or con welcome. Material suggestions? For the configuration I am
> thinking about the insulator would need to be mechanically shock
resistant.
> David Chapman.
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
http://www.nachi-fujikoshi.co.jp/eng/jik/radial_t/index.html.
Scroll down a bit to see the NSE series. I can't read the product line PDF,
but it appears the NSE is the NACHI designation for a contacting grease seal
on one side only. This is a deep groove ball bearing (pretty common), and
the 6305 sounds familiar. I think the numerical portion is identical from
manufacturer to manufacturer per AFBMA standards. The bearing you quote may
very well be the same. An electric motor shop would have a cross reference
book, and might even have some in stock.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fortunat Mueller [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 12:02 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: ADC dismantling and advice ?
>
> Seth,
>
> thanks for the advice.
> The rear bearing in the ADC 9" has the p/n 6305NSE.
> any idea what the NSE means ? NAPA says the closest
> they have is 6305RSJ. would that do the trick ?
>
> Is there someplace I can find a P/N decoder for NACHI
> bearings ?
>
> thanks
> ~Fortunat
>
> --- Seth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Bearings are generally standard with the last two
> > digits being the ID
> > in mm/5. So a 6205 bearing has a 25mm ID, for
> > example. (It probable has
> > a C3 designation after that for extra radial
> > clearance when the motor
> > gets hot) The digits ahead telly you other things
> > abotu the bearing.
> >
> > Fractional inch bearings are pretty rare these
> > days (ask Father time).
> > McMaster, Applied materials, MSC and even big
> > hardware stores will
> > carry metric bearings. Not sure about Napa.
> > www.skf.com has a lot of
> > information if you have a DSL connection or better.
> >
> > I am not a big fan of NACHI. SFK, Timken, NTN, FAG
> > are all brands I
> > have had good luck with.
> >
> > Seth
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I found some 6305 bearings at work.
These are SKF, P/N 6305 J EM.
What's your opion Seth?
Will these work for Fortunat?
--- Fortunat Mueller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Seth,
>
> thanks for the advice.
> The rear bearing in the ADC 9" has the p/n 6305NSE.
> any idea what the NSE means ? NAPA says the closest
> they have is 6305RSJ. would that do the trick ?
>
> Is there someplace I can find a P/N decoder for
> NACHI
> bearings ?
>
> thanks
> ~Fortunat
>
> --- Seth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Bearings are generally standard with the last two
> > digits being the ID
> > in mm/5. So a 6205 bearing has a 25mm ID, for
> > example. (It probable has
> > a C3 designation after that for extra radial
> > clearance when the motor
> > gets hot) The digits ahead telly you other things
> > abotu the bearing.
> >
> > Fractional inch bearings are pretty rare these
> > days (ask Father time).
> > McMaster, Applied materials, MSC and even big
> > hardware stores will
> > carry metric bearings. Not sure about Napa.
> > www.skf.com has a lot of
> > information if you have a DSL connection or
> better.
> >
> > I am not a big fan of NACHI. SFK, Timken, NTN, FAG
> > are all brands I
> > have had good luck with.
> >
> > Seth
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I'm using the original Lester (220VAC in/96V&12V out) charger that came with my
Electrica. Yes, I know it sucks (dumb and heavy), but it's getting me by for now.
The voltage/timer circuit has never worked for me (from reading old posts, I see this
is a very common failure) I have a spring-wound single-pole timer switch that I'd
like to use until I get something better going. The switch is only rated at 20A for
125VAC, so I don't want full charging current to go through it. Where can I tap it
into the Lester circuitry so it replaces, or bypasses the blown shutoff circuit?
Also, a while back, someone on this list (Bruce?) told me that this charger can be
wired to work off 110VAC. I'd like to try that out. How is it done? That option is
not mentioned anywhere in the owners manual.
Thanks,
Richard
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/474.html
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
If they have a built-in grease seal on one side like the "NSE" series they
are replacing then they should work.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rod Hower [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 1:15 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: ADC dismantling and advice ?
>
> I found some 6305 bearings at work.
> These are SKF, P/N 6305 J EM.
> What's your opion Seth?
> Will these work for Fortunat?
> --- Fortunat Mueller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Seth,
> >
> > thanks for the advice.
> > The rear bearing in the ADC 9" has the p/n 6305NSE.
> > any idea what the NSE means ? NAPA says the closest
> > they have is 6305RSJ. would that do the trick ?
> >
> > Is there someplace I can find a P/N decoder for
> > NACHI
> > bearings ?
> >
> > thanks
> > ~Fortunat
> >
> > --- Seth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > Bearings are generally standard with the last two
> > > digits being the ID
> > > in mm/5. So a 6205 bearing has a 25mm ID, for
> > > example. (It probable has
> > > a C3 designation after that for extra radial
> > > clearance when the motor
> > > gets hot) The digits ahead telly you other things
> > > abotu the bearing.
> > >
> > > Fractional inch bearings are pretty rare these
> > > days (ask Father time).
> > > McMaster, Applied materials, MSC and even big
> > > hardware stores will
> > > carry metric bearings. Not sure about Napa.
> > > www.skf.com has a lot of
> > > information if you have a DSL connection or
> > better.
> > >
> > > I am not a big fan of NACHI. SFK, Timken, NTN, FAG
> > > are all brands I
> > > have had good luck with.
> > >
> > > Seth
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> > http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
> >
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I was planning on running 120 Volts with all 10 batteries in the rear
passenger compartment area. The battery racks are about finished, but
after some thinking, I want to run 144 volts. The batteries will have
to go in the engine compartment. I had heard that you can have problems
with a couple batteries a relatively large distance from the main clump
of batteries. Can anyone give some insight on this? There just isn't
any more space in the rear seating area, and besides, the front could
use some weight to keep the front end from being too light (hear that
can lead to poor handling too).
Thanks,
Ryan
--
For the best price on Zillas, visit http://www.evsource.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Up to what year is a Mazda Cab Plus too heavy to use. I have seen 86- 89
for sale. Is 1990 to late? Is an 8 " too small a motor for a pickup
conversion. Lawrence Rhodes.....
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Imbalances can set in due to the differing temperatures between the two
blocks. If you are using Rudman Regs, they will naturally temperature
compensate while charging, as they are designed to handle that task. This
will ensure that all batteries are fully charged and not overcharged, but
you will still need to monitor all of them during driving to make sure you
do not pull any one of them too low.
If you are not using regulators, then you will need to monitor at least the
voltage of the batteries during both charge and discharge to be sure that
one set is not pulled too low during driving, and/ or undercharged or
overcharged during charge.
JB's battery monitor sounds like an excellent instrumentation tool for this
sort of setup:
http://www.jstraubel.com/BatteryMonitor/monitor.htm
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ryan Bohm [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 1:49 PM
> To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List
> Subject: Batteries in the boondocks
>
> I was planning on running 120 Volts with all 10 batteries in the rear
> passenger compartment area. The battery racks are about finished, but
> after some thinking, I want to run 144 volts. The batteries will have
> to go in the engine compartment. I had heard that you can have problems
> with a couple batteries a relatively large distance from the main clump
> of batteries. Can anyone give some insight on this? There just isn't
> any more space in the rear seating area, and besides, the front could
> use some weight to keep the front end from being too light (hear that
> can lead to poor handling too).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan
> --
> For the best price on Zillas, visit http://www.evsource.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
If you are using Rudman Regs, they will naturally temperature
compensate while charging, as they are designed to handle that task.
I'm planning on using Rudman Regs. Speaking of them - for someone that
doesn't mind soldering, does it pay off to buy the PCBs and assemble
them yourself?
JB's battery monitor sounds like an excellent instrumentation tool for this
sort of setup:
http://www.jstraubel.com/BatteryMonitor/monitor.htm
I really like the looks of what JB has going. I'm working on something
similar to monitor the voltages. If I get it working well, I'll post
schematics and parts lists. It's unlikely that I'll be producing it to
sell.
-Ryan
--
For the best price on Zillas, visit http://www.evsource.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
James D Thompson wrote:
And I'm sorry to have to say this, but the Insight is one
butt-ugly car behind the doors. I don't know if I could respect myself
knowing how much I paid to look at the back end of that car every day.
At this point, I'm halfway inclined to stick with my original idea and
let the Insight pass on by. Anyone want to try and talk me into buying
it anyway?
David Thompson
No one can fix this, and there is no point. It's like trying to make
you start liking different kind if music you hated before.
Don't buy Insight just because its superior technical advantages -
you are not going to be happy driving it when you're done, regardless.
In your shoes, I'd get it only if the deal is very good and intent
is to sell completed conversion later.
My 2 mm.
--
Victor
'91 ACRX - something different
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi Lawrence,
Sorry about your Aspire predicament, but glad you're OK.
My main ride is a 1992 extended cab that was converted to electric in
2000. It has the same body style as the 86 - 89 that you've noticed.
Mazda discontinued the older body style in '93.
In '94 they started selling re-labeled Ford Rangers which were actually
built on a Ford Ranger assembly line in New Jersey. I know this because
I had a '95 Mazda extended cab, too.
Overall I've been thrilled with my electric '92 Mazda truck. It is
well-built compared to similar GMs or Fords of the same vintage, and the
chassis is nearing 200,000 miles.
Barring any range considerations, I think a 9" motor would be preferable
to the 8" choice. My truck has the first WarP 9" NetGain motor to hit
the streets mated to the stock 5 speed tranny.
You know, I've been thinking of parting my truck out and could maybe
give you a good deal on a drop-in motor/adapter/transmission assembly if
it helps you get back on the road more quickly.
Let me know if I can help.
-Dave Stensland, Owner
Megawatt Motorworks, LLC
Discover the Potential
http://www.megawattmotorworks.com
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Lawrence Rhodes
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 1:03 PM
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List
Subject: Mazda Cab Plus
Up to what year is a Mazda Cab Plus too heavy to use. I have seen 86-
89
for sale. Is 1990 to late? Is an 8 " too small a motor for a pickup
conversion. Lawrence Rhodes.....
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Newsweek: Escape hybrid puts out less pollution than an EV)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4724092/
A Guilt-Free SUV?
Ford has made a hybrid-powered SUV that gets more miles to the
gallon�and emits less pollution�than most cars. Our columnist puts
it to the testWEB-EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY By Gersh Kuntzman Newsweek
Updated: 2:49 p.m. ET April 12, 2004April 12 - Look out, my fellow
liberals, but we're about to get run over by an SUV! Ford has just
introduced one that gets 40 miles a gallon and puts out less
pollution than an electric car.
And I'm sitting in the driver's seat. Yes, your defiantly SUV-hating
columnist�the man who once called sport-utility vehicles "the worst
development in American culture since fast food," who once stopped
letting his kid have play-dates with a neighbor because her parents
owned an SUV, the one who said American auto makers would never do
anything to wean us off our addiction to gasoline�accepted an
invitation from Ford last week to take the new Escape hybrid-powered
SUV on a test drive around New York City.
This new SUV is a big deal. Remember last summer? SUVs were the
biggest bogey on the liberal radar screen, a single target that
energized environmentalists, anti-war activists, celebrities and
even Republicans who objected to our dependence on foreign oil. For
a brief, shining moment, these gas-guzzling, rollover-prone
behemoths became national symbols of America's wastefulness, greed
and ignorance. You'd hear a news report of some enviro-terrorists
smashing the windshields of a few dozen Hummers in California and
part of you would want to cheer on these freedom fighters. (Full
disclosure: This column does not sanction vigilantism or violence in
any form�except against Hummers.)
But now, with a 40-mpg SUV, Ford has armor-plated its political
Achilles heel. How do I feel about that? Let's put it this way: crow
tastes a bit like chicken.
Not to sound like I work for Car & Driver (which never met a
gas-guzzler, pollution-spewer or speed-limit-buster it couldn't
explain away), but Ford deserves praise for the new Escape SUV
(albeit limited praise; after all, the Escape uses the same
gas-electric hybrid technology made famous by Toyota's 50-mpg Prius
seven years ago.)
Given my revulsion of these sport-utility vultures, I was, of
course, appalled that someone might see me driving one. Fortunately,
Escape has three large "Hybrid" badges that can be spotted a block
away. That badge tells the world that this truck not only gets great
mileage, but emits 97 percent less toxic emissions and half as much
greenhouse-causing carbon dioxide as an average car.
Such numbers actually allow Ford to call its hybrid Escape a
PZEV�which stands for "partial zero emissions vehicle." (Partial
zero?! Now there's a term only a government bureaucrat could love.
But "partial zero" actually makes some sense: Escape's tailpipe
emissions are so low that the truck ends up polluting even less than
a pure electric car because electricity for electric cars is
generated in power plants that emit pollution.)
I don't want to sound like an ad wizard, but the Escape's motto
should be "The Guilt-Free SUV!" (Full disclosure: That slogan is
being offered for sale to Ford for a small, six-figure fee.)
On the road, the Escape handles like a normal SUV (in other words,
like a monster truck with marshmallows stuck into the suspension
system). But even with its four-cylinder gas engine, it accelerated
just as briskly as a normal, six-cylinder truck, thanks to the
additional battery-powered engine. When I hit the gas pedal, the
zero-emission electric engine did all the work. And when I needed a
little more power, the gas engine kicked in like a mustang
(actually, like a Mustang). It's a perfect car for city driving
because at low speeds (like stop-and-go traffic), the gas engine
never fires up, leaving you with better gas mileage and a silent,
golf-cart-like ride.
And don't forget the mileage! I was driving the Ford Escape as part
of a company public relations stunt called "Manhattan on a tank of
gas." The goal was to drive all 500 miles of Manhattan pavement on
one tank of gas. The larger goal was to get celebrities to
participate, but most begged off because Ford wasn't paying. (I
ended up turning the car over to Kevin Bacon, which means I'm now
only one degree of separation from every actor in Hollywood.)
In the end, thanks to Escape's great fuel economy, me, Bacon and a
team of drivers did 576 miles on 15 gallons, or 38 mpg in the city.
But this is not a car column (although a car columnist just won a
Pulitzer Prize, so, come to think of it, maybe this should be a car
column). I came to the test drive not to praise the Escape, but to
bury it. I remain afraid that no matter how much I liked the great
Escape, when the rubber actually hits the road, American auto buyers
will stick with their gas-guzzlers.
Ford's own marketing people told me that gas mileage remains
unimportant to American car buyers. And sales of large SUVs and
large pickups are way ahead of all other vehicles, continuing a
trend that began a decade ago. Americans are also dubious about
hybrid cars, even though Toyota's been selling the Prius since 1997.
(Full disclosure: My friend owns one and I am jealous.) "There
remains confusion about hybrids," says Corey Holter, the marketing
manager for the Escape. "In focus groups, that's what we always
hear: 'Will I have to plug it in?'"
So why didn't Ford push hybrids earlier? For one thing, no one�not
consumers, not Detroit rivals, not the federal regulators who could
have demanded more-fuel-efficient cars�forced them. That's why we
liberals were screaming our heads off last summer. (My head has
since grown back and it's screaming about Iraq now).
In this context, Ford's long-overdue production of the hybrid Escape
is hardly corporate altruism. This company knows what it's doing.
"Our research shows that Americans want the car they want and won't
buy something just because it's a hybrid," Holter said. "The
sweetest spot of the market is the SUV."
Clearly, I was very conflicted about the Ford hybrid, so I decided
that the only way to quiet the voices in my head was to call my
source at the Sierra Club (I call him Deep Throttle). The Sierra
Club has waged a lengthy war against the Detroit
automakers�especially Ford, which has sold some of the biggest,
nastiest, most-gas-hungry SUVs (at least, until the Hummer showed
up). by Gersh Kuntzman
"You know something? I'm not going to knock Ford. They're doing the
right thing," says Dan Becker, the director of the Sierra Club's
global warming and energy program. "This Ford is a rolling
advertisement for better auto technology and less pollution. I
applaud them. My only complaint is that Ford is only making 30,000
of them. So it's up to us to buy them or else they'll be able to
say, 'See? No one wants a fuel-efficient SUV'."
The concern, of course, is that the hybrid Escape becomes the
automotive equivalent of Lord Chamberlain after his famous meeting
with Hitler. The Escape walks out of a conference with our current
evil dictator�gasoline�and declares peace in our time (i.e. the end
of our dependence on foreign oil). But only we have the power to
make it so.
Nothing would make me happier, of course. If Americans start buying
these things, the world will be a better place and we liberals can
go out and win other battles. But considering that Ford admits the
Escape hybrid will cost $2,000 to $4,000 more than the regular
Escape, my guess is that most Americans will decide that cleaner
air, freedom from foreign oil, and a guilt-free ride are luxuries
they can't afford.
Gersh Kuntzman is also Brooklyn bureau chief for The New York Post.
His website is at http://www.gersh.tv
� 2004 Newsweek, Inc.
� 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Froo-froo OT: for the EVr that has everything)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/8378442.htm/
Living/FYI Posted on Sun, Apr. 11, 2004
Grown-up sensibility returns to fashion front
JACKIE WHITE
Breaking news on the fashion front: Grown-ups are back.
[...]
And how else can you entertain yourself while you're waiting for a
call?
Consider the CAR-100 Bluetooth Car Kit by Sony Ericsson. It is a
tiny pocket-sized electric car that moves under the control of the
key pad of any Sony Ericsson Bluetooth mobile phone. It runs an hour
before it has to be recharged by attaching it to the phone. It's
available under �accessories entertainment� at www.sonyericsson.com
for $93.
[
http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=us&lc=en&ver=4000&template=pp4_1_1&zone=pp&lm=pp4_1&pid=10109
]
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--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Dealers don�t advertise hybrids because demand is so high)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11291994&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Top Stories
Enthusiasm is high for cars that get up to 63 miles per gallon
Sharon Stahl , Mercury Staff Writer 04/12/2004
BOYERTOWN -- While most people cringe as they see the prices rise at
the gas pumps, there�s one group that isn�t too concerned.
Members of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association�s Green Car
Club -- owners of cars that run on electricity, alQative fuel, or a
combination of gasoline and electricity -- aren�t as concerned about
rising gas prices as most people are.
The Green Car Club, which was launched in 2002 via the Internet,
held its first rally Saturday for owners and enthusiasts of "green,"
or energy-efficient, cars.
About 16 people attended the rally, which began at Tri County
Toyota, where members were invited to test-drive the 2004 Prius,
Toyota�s most energy-efficient vehicle.
Some of the participants in the rally, including Joyce Harwood of
Boyertown, already own Priuses, which run on a combination of
gasoline and electricity. Harwood bought hers after seeing one her
friend had.
"A friend had one, and I just thought it was so great I had to have
one," Harwood said.
The vehicle gives a printout of the gas mileage it is getting while
it is being driven.
"It�s absolutely fascinating," she said.
A 2004 Prius that was driven from Limerick to Boyertown got 52 miles
per gallon during the trip.
Harwood said the mileage she gets varies from 40 to 63 miles per
gallon, depending on conditions such as weather and the need for air
conditioning.
Other perks to owning the energy-efficient vehicle include filling
her gas tank about half as often as most people, a $1,500 tax break
from the government for purchasing the energy-efficient vehicle, and
the maintenance that is included for three years.
Car dealers don�t advertise gas-electric hybrid vehicles because the
demand for them is so high.
Murphy said that if you ordered a new Prius now, you would likely
get a 2005 model because it takes about nine months to come in.
When it comes to get up and go, the hybrid vehicles don�t fall
behind.
"They have as much pep as any car," Harwood said.
Club members shared stories and compared notes during a luncheon
held at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles before taking a
tour of the vehicles at the museum.
John Murphy, an organizer of the event, was pleased with the
turnout.
"For a first time, I think it�s not bad," Murphy said.
Murphy said the organization has more than 550 members on its
Internet site, which offers discussion forums, news, and tips and
tools for purchasing green cars.
"Many Green Car Club members are interested in organizing these
types of rallies," said Nancy Hazard, the transportation program
director for the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. "I�m
certain we will see many more of these events in the coming year."
Guy Davis of Norristown, a previous board member of the museum,
doesn�t own a green vehicle, but he has built a couple of electric
cars over the years.
"During the gas crisis in 1979, I actually got caught in the gas
line driving an electric car," Davis said.
Davis converted a 1969 Toyota to an all-electric vehicle.
"I drove it back and forth to work for four years," Davis said.
�The Mercury 2004
Copyright � 1995 - 2004 PowerOne Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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--- Begin Message ---
EVLN(Honda To Introduce V6 Accord Hybrid with VCM)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/112_news040125_honda/
Honda To Introduce V6 Accord Hybrid and Fuel Cell Stack
Accord Hybrid to deliver V-6 performance with Civic Fuel economy;
Motor Trend
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., President and CEO Takeo Fukui has announced
plans to further advance the company's leadership in the development
and application of leading edge environmental technologies with the
following actions:
* Introduction in 2004 of a V-6-powered gas-electric hybrid Accord
using Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system in
combination with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology for
V-6 performance with fuel economy equivalent to a four-cylinder
Civic;
[...]
New V-6 Accord Hybrid with VCM
Slated for introduction later this year as a 2005 model, the midsize
Accord Hybrid brings hybrid power to Honda's best-selling model,
promising an even higher level of performance than already available
from the 240-horsepower Accord V-6 Sedan along with the fuel economy
of a four-cylinder, compact-class Civic.
The Accord Hybrid is the first V-6 application of Honda's Integrated
Motor Assist technology and the first hybrid vehicle to employ
Variable Cylinder Management technology. Developed by Honda, VCM
allows for the deactivation of three of the engine's six cylinders
under certain conditions -- such as highway cruising -- to deliver
even greater fuel efficiency with no sacrifice in performance. VCM
will also be applied to another new model being introduced later
this year. � 2004 PRIMEDIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
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--- Begin Message ---
Well, at long last, Jerry dycus's E-Woody is on the web. I have put them up
on my page at:
http://www.100megsfree.com/davidbr13/ewoody/ewoody.htm
(I hope that link works for everybody).
I have also sent them to Mike for the album.
Enjoy!
David Brandt
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
What a bunch of crock!
"gets 40 miles a gallon and puts out less pollution than an electric car"
Electric cars are zero emissions - that's driving it. Even the best gas car
has some pollution - no way it cannot. If they start dragging in the
electrical generation, then you need to balance out with the gasoline
production/distribution. So much easier to say what the vehicle itself
generates.
Electric still wins hands-down on the emissions issue.
-Ed
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
yeah, I have to love this one.
I just wrote a letter to the author asking him for his research sources.
Doubt I'll get a response.
On Apr 12, 2004, at 1:24 PM, Ed Thorpe wrote:
What a bunch of crock!
"gets 40 miles a gallon and puts out less pollution than an electric
car"
Electric cars are zero emissions - that's driving it. Even the best
gas car
has some pollution - no way it cannot. If they start dragging in the
electrical generation, then you need to balance out with the gasoline
production/distribution. So much easier to say what the vehicle itself
generates.
Electric still wins hands-down on the emissions issue.
-Ed
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I fired off an email to the author, pointing out the
same crap. His email is on his web page, which is
listed at the end of the article.
Bobby
--- Ed Thorpe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> What a bunch of crock!
> "gets 40 miles a gallon and puts out less pollution
> than an electric car"
>
> Electric cars are zero emissions - that's driving
> it. Even the best gas car
> has some pollution - no way it cannot. If they start
> dragging in the
> electrical generation, then you need to balance out
> with the gasoline
> production/distribution. So much easier to say what
> the vehicle itself
> generates.
>
> Electric still wins hands-down on the emissions
> issue.
>
> -Ed
>
__________________________________
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Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
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--- Begin Message ---
Wow, this guy isn't very busy. He sent back a
response to my email already. Below is the original
and his reply.
----- Original Message -----
From: "amadare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 4:54 PM
Subject: Your article "A Guilt-Free SUV?"
"Such numbers actually allow Ford to call its hybrid
Escape a PZEV-which stands for "partial zero emissions
vehicle." (Partial zero?! Now there's a term only a
government bureaucrat could love. But "partial zero"
actually makes some sense: Escape's tailpipe emissions
are so low that the truck ends up polluting even less
than a pure electric car because electricity for
electric cars is generated in power plants that emit
pollution.)"
How can you swallow and write such garbage? I suppose
that gasoline just comes up out of the earth and right
into the tank on this new SUV? They've discovered a
way to forego all they used to do, such as pump the
OIL out of the earth, ship it to a refinery, refine it
into gasoline, and ship it out to your local BP
station? Statements like these, and the idiots in
power writing them, PISS me off to no end. Maybe make
mention of the fact that electricity CAN be produced
cleanly via PV arrays and wind generators, but the
same American wastefulness, greed, and IGNORANCE stops
even THIS from being done.
Perhaps you need to take a few more of those
Journalism-by-mail classes, and check out the
following research
http://www.radix.net/~futurev/pwrplnt.pdf
Whoa, nelly: I hate the Big Three and I hate our
gas-driven society as much as you do! But the sentence
you quoted is accurate -- except for the SLIM MINORITY
of people who derive their electricity from solar,
wind or water sources. Why can't we at least salute an
auto maker's effort to raise fuel economy (albeit
belated)?
Thanks for writing.
GERSH
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--- Begin Message ---
Yeah but he obviously still stands behind his origional quote.
> But the sentence
> you quoted is accurate -- except for the SLIM MINORITY
> of people who derive their electricity from solar,
> wind or water sources.
He either didn't go to the ev myth link you gave him or he doesn't care
or doesn't belive it.
Sam
--- "Bobby R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Wow, this guy isn't very busy. He sent back a
> response to my email already. Below is the original
> and his reply.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "amadare" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 4:54 PM
> Subject: Your article "A Guilt-Free SUV?"
>
>
> "Such numbers actually allow Ford to call its hybrid
> Escape a PZEV-which stands for "partial zero emissions
> vehicle." (Partial zero?! Now there's a term only a
> government bureaucrat could love. But "partial zero"
> actually makes some sense: Escape's tailpipe emissions
> are so low that the truck ends up polluting even less
> than a pure electric car because electricity for
> electric cars is generated in power plants that emit
> pollution.)"
>
> How can you swallow and write such garbage? I suppose
> that gasoline just comes up out of the earth and right
> into the tank on this new SUV? They've discovered a
> way to forego all they used to do, such as pump the
> OIL out of the earth, ship it to a refinery, refine it
> into gasoline, and ship it out to your local BP
> station? Statements like these, and the idiots in
> power writing them, PISS me off to no end. Maybe make
> mention of the fact that electricity CAN be produced
> cleanly via PV arrays and wind generators, but the
> same American wastefulness, greed, and IGNORANCE stops
> even THIS from being done.
>
> Perhaps you need to take a few more of those
> Journalism-by-mail classes, and check out the
> following research
> http://www.radix.net/~futurev/pwrplnt.pdf
>
>
> Whoa, nelly: I hate the Big Three and I hate our
> gas-driven society as much as you do! But the sentence
> you quoted is accurate -- except for the SLIM MINORITY
> of people who derive their electricity from solar,
> wind or water sources. Why can't we at least salute an
> auto maker's effort to raise fuel economy (albeit
> belated)?
>
> Thanks for writing.
>
> GERSH
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
> http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
>
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