EV Digest 3837
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) EVLN(More Cheap Chinese Electrics coming)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
2) EVLN(Toyota hybrids made in North America)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3) EVLN(EV charging declined with more drivers switching to hybrids)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4) EVLN(Series-Hybrid Buses for Knoxville and Gatlinburg)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
5) EVLN(Buy A nEV a Week, That's all we Ask)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
6) EVLN(Citroen start-stop device also in so-called hybrids)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
7) EVLN(Trouble with hybrid tax break, they're hard to get)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8) EVLN(Cool Long Beach City College Fiero EV)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
9) EVLN(Venturi Fétish fetish)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
10) EVLN(?Firefighter hybrid cutting: a source of conversions?)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
11) EVLN(May the best S. Dakota hybrid driver win)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
12) EVLN(Electric Pope-mobile)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
13) EVLN(Steve May drives a GEM to his solar-powered server farm)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
14) EVLN(Lexus hybrid, dual Electric motors and a 3.3L ICE)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
15) EVLN(Go Li-ion)
by bruce parmenter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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EVLN(More Cheap Chinese Electrics coming)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040929005742&newsLang=en
September 29, 2004 04:15 PM US Eastern Timezone
GSB Financial Services, Inc.: Presence in China
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2004--GSB Financial
Services previously announced the Company is expanding into the
Electric Vehicle market, today announced that it has reached an
agreement to acquire GTT Products (www.gttproducts.com), a
company specializing in mass distribution of products from China.
This includes electric bikes, golf carts, electric vehicles,
electric scooters and battery technology.
GTT Products has demonstrated to "GSBF" that a definite market
for their product line exists. GSBF'S purchase of GTT Products
completes the long-term commitment to the Business Model, which
adheres to the market demands for quality and lower prices to the
everyday customer. This information is based on extensive
research with "big box superstores" Costco, Wal-Mart and
independent retailers and distributors.
GTT Products is preparing to launch its first containers from
China. These products include ATV's, dirt bikes, pocket bikes,
electric transportation and other exciting recreational products
for the North America market. We believe GTT Products will create
a significant positive change to the buying trend of consumers
within the electric vehicle transportation revolution. Welcome to
the 21st century.
GSBF, a distributor of recreational products through GTT
Products, will be steadily expanding its product line and client
base, seizing opportunities to build brand awareness in the
growth-orientated electric vehicles and recreational product
market, sales are expected for the last quarter of 2004 and an
increase of 30% growth in the first quarter of 2005.
THIS PRESS RELEASE MAY INCLUDE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS [...]
Contacts GSB Financial Services, Inc. Ron Henrickson or Gary
Burnie 1-866-949-0352 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website:
www.gttproducts.com
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EVLN(Toyota hybrids made in North America)
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http://www.courier-journal.com/business/news2004/09/30/D1-toyota30-5448.html
Toyota plant could get hybrid North American production weighed
By Robert Schoenberger [EMAIL PROTECTED] The
Courier-Journal
Toyota is considering building a hybrid vehicle in North America,
which might mean a Camry version made in Georgetown, Ky., or a
Sienna minivan version from its Princeton, Ind., plant.
Hybrids combine gas engines with electric motors to increase fuel
efficiency. Toyota is the world's leading hybrid maker, thanks to
its Prius sedan.
Toyota President Fujio Cho told Kyodo News International in Tokyo
on Tuesday that in North America, "we will consider whether we
should go with the Prius or a bigger model."
While company officials have said for months that Toyota is
studying North American hybrids, Cho's statement confirmed that
the question is closer to where to build them, rather than if it
will.
If Toyota begins building hybrids in North America, it will do so
at an existing plant such as the ones in Kentucky or Indiana,
said Dan Sieger, spokesman for Toyota Motor Manufacturing America
in Erlanger, Ky.
Experts offered mixed opinions on which vehicle would receive the
new drive system and which plant would build it.
Toyota already has discussed building a hybrid version of the
Camry, the best-selling car in the nation. Dan Benjamin, an
analyst with ABI Research in Oyster Bay, N.Y., said the Camry
would have the biggest sales numbers of any potential hybrid,
making it a likely choice.
"It's also on the same platform as the Highlander (crossover
vehicle) and the Lexus 400 (luxury sport utility vehicle),"
Benjamin said. Toyota plans to launch hybrid versions of both
vehicles early next year, so engineering work for a hybrid Camry
would be relatively easy, he said.
But Brett Smith, director of product and technology forecasting
at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., said
the Camry would be a poor choice because the vehicle is to be
updated soon. Toyota is expected to launch a new Camry for the
2006 model year and because automakers tend to launch their basic
models first, a specialty hybrid would have to wait until 2007 or
beyond, he said.
Smith thinks the Princeton, Ind.-built Sienna minivan is a more
likely choice.
"They've said in the past that they'd be interested in doing that
as a hybrid," Smith said of the Sienna. The Sienna is the No. 2
minivan in the country, but Smith said it faces tough competition
from a new Honda Odyssey. "Coming out with a hybrid minivan would
be a way of really fighting back."
Sieger declined to comment on which vehicle was being considered
for hybrid technology, but he pointed out that Toyota has made
hybrid minivans in Japan.
Other North American models include the Tundra pickup, the
Sequoia SUV, the Matrix and Corolla small cars, the Tacoma small
pickup, the Avalon sedan and the Canadian-built Lexus 400 SUV.
Smith and Benjamin ruled out the Corolla and Matrix as too small
and inexpensive for such investments, and they said pickups and
large SUVs such as the Sequoia made poor choices as well. That
would leave the low-volume Avalon and the Lexus 400. Of those,
Smith said the Lexus is a possibility because Toyota already has
plans for a hybrid version of that vehicle and building it in
Canada would free up space in its Japanese hybrid plants.
Still another possibility would be moving the Highlander to the
Georgetown plant, a possibility that Toyota has discussed because
most of that vehicle's customers are in the United States.
Smith said that is one of the more expensive options for Toyota,
but it could save money in the long term by cutting shipping
costs on the Highlander.
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EVLN(EV charging declined with more drivers switching to hybrids)
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informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint rights.]
--- {EVangel}
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/09/29/BUGQV90G0825.DTL&type=business
Sparing the air brings recognition
Bay Area companies rank among EPA's best for commuters
Pia Sarkar, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, September 29, 2004
[...]
Hewlett-Packard [...] provides free electric vehicle charging in
five Cupertino stations and four Palo Alto stations. Use of those
stations, however, has declined with more drivers switching to
hybrid cars.
[...]
[Editor's notes: Actually, the Cupertino site has only two usable
EV charging stations: ICS-200 and a MCS-100. And Yes, there is a
LPI GM gave away that no one can use.]
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EVLN(Series-Hybrid Buses for Knoxville and Gatlinburg)
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http://www.greencarcongress.com/2004/09/propane_seriesh.html
September 28, 2004
Propane Series-Hybrid Buses for Knoxville and Gatlinburg
Ebus is providing four propane-fueled series hybrid trolley buses
for Knoxville, TN, and another two to Gatlinburg on a six-month
trial.
With the series hybrid-electric system, the bus is propelled only
by an electric motor, which in turn receives its electricity from
a NiCd battery pack. TheNiCd batteries provide 60 – 90 miles of
range between charges while offering up to 2000 charge/discharge
cycles (approximately seven years of typical revenue service).
The batteries can be recharged by the on-board propane-fueled 30
kW Capstone MicroTurbine generator, or via a plug-in option. With
the turbine generator as a range extender, the buses have a range
of approximately 250 miles. The picture to the right shows the
power compartment of the Ebus —the turbine is on the left. (Click
to enlarge.)
Currently, Ebus only manufactures 22-foot buses, shuttles and
tolleys, although it will be releasing a 30-foot model in the
future. It offers propane, diesel or natural gas versions of the
turbine APU.
Capstone, known primarily for its turbines for distributed power
generation and Combined Heating and Power (CHP) applications, has
been carving out a growing niche in transportation. In addition
to its partnership with eBus:
Capstone turbines integrate with ISE Research/ThunderVolt
electric drive systems. These two are partnering on four buses
for the LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) in Los Angeles.
Designline, a New Zealand company, uses Capstone turbines in its
hybrid electric city buses in service in New Zealand and now
Japan.
AVS has used the Capstone Microturbine in hundreds of hybrid
buses. It uses one turbine in its 22-foot model, and two in the
38-foot version.
The emissions profile of these vehicles is extremely low. To the
right is a comparison of the Capstone emissions vs. other bus
engines (from the AVS site). (Click to enlarge.)
Here’s a quick description of how the turbine works. (Cutaway
diagram below right. Click to enlarge. For an interactive
version, see this.)
The turbine system includes a compressor, recuperator, combustor,
turbine and permanent magnet generator. The rotating components
are mounted on a single shaft supported by air bearings
(eliminating the need for lubrication) that rotate at up to
96,000 RPM. The generator is cooled by the air flow into the gas
turbine, thus eliminating the need for liquid cooling.
Air is compressed and injected into the recuperator where its
temperature is elevated by the exhaust gases expelled from the
turbine. This process increases the system efficiency. The heated
compressed air is mixed with fuel and burned in the combustion
chamber. The combusted hot gases expand through the turbine,
providing the rotational power. Patented techniques in the
combustion process result in the extremely low emission exhaust
stream.
The output of the generator is variable voltage, variable
frequency AC power. Power electronics convert this to
programmable DC power for hybrid electric vehicle applications.
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EVLN(Buy A nEV a Week, That's all we Ask)
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http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2004/0928/Front_Page/028.html
Electric vehicle expected to aid police department BY LARRY
RAMER Staff Writer
MARLBORO — A 1,270-pound, four-wheel vehicle powered by
electricity that can be used to conduct off-road patrols and
covert investigations will be purchased by the township.
Known as a GEM, the vehicle is manufactured by Global Electric
Motor Cars, a division of Daimler Chrysler, according to
information distributed to the Township Council by Marlboro
Police Lt. Douglas Van Note. Global Electric Motor Cars has its
headquarters in Fargo, North Dakota.
The vehicle has been in existence for about three years,
according to Van Note. It is considered a “multipurpose
neighborhood electric vehicle.” The GEM is powered by a 72-volt
GE motor and a battery pack comprised of six 12-volt batteries.
The GEM can be used quietly for investigations and [to patrol]
concerts, Marlboro Day and the aquatic center,” Van Note told the
council during its meeting Sept. 9. “It can be used for quiet
investigations and it can be driven on the road at 35 mph or
slower. It’s an all-purpose vehicle.”
On Sept. 23 the council voted 4-0 to approve the $12,400
purchase. Council members Barry Denkensohn, Joe Per-nice, Grover
Burrows and Patti Morelli voted in favor of the purchase.
Council-man James Mione was not present for the vote.
We are purchasing this vehicle for a very reasonable amount,”
said Denken-sohn, who called the GEM a “funky” vehicle.
The GEM will also be used to assist people who need emergency
medical treatment on bicycle trials, Van Note said.
Police learned about the GEM when the department was looking for
a vehicle that could be used to assist people on bicycle trails,
Van Note told the council.
Last year the police department decided to buy a six-wheel
vehicle called the GATOR in order to perform rescues on trails.
However, the $12,000, six-wheel GATOR cannot be used for any
other purpose, so the police decided to look at other options.
We realized it was a waste of money to use the GATOR just for
trail rescues,” Van Note said. “Driving the GATOR on the paved
roads destroys its transmission.”
Police found out about the GEM and decided to pursue the purchase
of that vehicle.
We found the GEM ... which can be used for other avenues for the
police department,” the lieutenant said. “Once we found out the
GEM could be used on the roads, it made the vehicle even tastier,
so to speak, to use for our department. We can get many more uses
from the GEM than the GATOR.”
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EVLN(Citroen start-stop device also in so-called hybrids)
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http://motoring.iafrica.com/motorshows/349508.htm
PARIS MOTOR SHOW On show in Paris Emmanuel Angleys Posted Mon, 27
Sep 2004
Car makers at the Paris Motor Show this week competed for best
green credentials, unveiling environmentally-friendly cars
designed to attract consumers on grounds of cost as well as
conscience.
However genuine alternatives to the petrol-powered car were
eclipsed by a model that aims to cut fuel consumption - a sign of
the times as consumers around the world suffer from record oil
prices.
French auto maker Peugeot Citroen chief stole the show with a
model equipped with an engine cutout that claims to reduce fuel
consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution by up to 15
percent.
The Stop and Start device, installed in a Citroen C3
petrol-powered compact car, automatically stops the engine when
the vehicle is waiting at a red light or is stuck in a traffic
jam, for example.
Costing an additional €550 ($660), it saves 10 percent of typical
fuel consumption in city driving, between six and 10 percent in
combined urban and highway use, and 15 percent in blocked
traffic, Peugeot Citroen says.
Carbon dioxide emissions, a principal factor in global warming,
are reduced by a similar percentage by the system, developed
jointly with the French auto components supplier Valeo, the
company says.
French President Jacques Chirac expressed particular interest in
the system which is due to be installed in 50 000 cars by 2006,
when he visited the show in Paris on Friday.
A similar device is included in so-called hybrid vehicles that
combine electric motors with petrol engines, such as the Toyota
Prius and Honda Insight, and it also features in a Volkswagen
compact, the Lupo.
The family-sized Prius boasts one of the world's lowest pollution
rates, but carries a premium price, costing around €25 000 in
Western Europe.
Peugeot Citroen also unveiled a C3 model that runs on natural
gas, developed jointly with the state-owned supplier Gaz de
France and set for launch in 2005.
Fitted with a gas bottle in the trunk, the vehicle can run for
250 to 300 kilometres between refills, which are carried out
using a pump installed at the owner's home.
"This model answers both the financial and environmental concerns
of different types of customer. Natural gas reduces CO2 emissions
by about 20 percent compared to petrol and cuts out emissions of
lead and sulfur oxides," said Jean-Pierre Piollat, commercial
director of GDF.
But the concept of electric cars as an alternative to petrol
appeared to be losing ground - although France's Ecology Minister
Serge Lepeltier drove to the motor show at the wheel of a
Cleanova, an electric vehicle developed jointly by French
engineering group Dassault and car maker Heuliez.
The French car maker Renault has said it may yet build an
electric vehicle, in association with the French conglomerate
Bollore.
But Renault chief executive Louis Schweitzer said that although
the electric car had a "real future" in the city, it was better
suited for postal delivery or other local services than for the
average consumer.
Looking further ahead, Peugeot Citroen unveiled a fuel cell
prototype called the Quark, a zero emissions two-seater model
closer in concept to a quad motorcycle than a car.
With an aluminium chassis, the ultralight Quark weighs just 425
kilograms and can reach speeds of up to 110 kilometres per hour,
with a range of 100 kilometres.
Nissan also offered an updated version of its showcase X-Trail
FCV model, a fuel cell vehicle with a range of 350 kilometres, as
part of a joint program with its French owner Renault to develop
alternative energy sources.
Fuel-cell cars are powered by electricity generated from oxygen
and pressurized hydrogen gas, but high production costs and a
lack of infrastructure for pumping hydrogen are seen as still
hurdles to clear before they can reach ordinary car buyers.AFP
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EVLN(Trouble with hybrid tax break, they're hard to get)
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http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=2353523
New hybrid car tax credit takes effect on Oct. 1- by Kent Pierce
(WTNH, Sept. 27, 2004 5:25 PM) _ They save gas and reduce
pollution and it won't be long before you may be able to save big
money when you buy one.
Connecticut wants to encourage people to buy Hybrid cars. by
News Channel 8's Kent Pierce
Roy Dickinson, Hybrid Car Owner, says,"With the key in my pocket,
I put my foot on the pedal and I just push the power button."
Roy Dickinson's been starting up his Toyota Prius for months now.
He loves 'it' and the gas mileage.
Roy Dickinson, Hybrid Car Owner, says, "Average is about 40 miles
in town, 50 miles on the highway."
That's because most of the time the car runs on batteries, that
has lots of benefits.
Rep. Ken Bernhard, (R) Westport, says,"We want to do something
about the air in this country as well as our oil dependency on
middle eastern nations."
That's why starting Friday, a new law takes effect. In
Connecticut there will be no sales tax on hybrid cars.
Here's how the savings stack up. You're going to save 200, 300,
maybe 400 dollars a year in gas alone. The federal government
already gives a $500 tax exemption when you buy a hybrid car, and
now you don't have to pay the 6% Connecticut sales tax. That's
about $1200 right there.
Trouble is, even before the tax break, hybrids were hard to get.
Roy kept pestering his car dealer.
Roy Dickinson, Hybrid Car Owner, says, "We're going to get some
next month, come back. I came back...they didn't have them...I
came back month after month....."
So why add incentives if cars are selling so well? State Rep. Bob
Farr says he's looking to the future. Manufacturers are making
more hybrids than ever.
Rep. Robert Farr, (R) Avon, says, "And the purpose here is to
continue to have a demand that consumes all the vehicles that the
manufacturers can make."
So everyone can enjoy Roy's driving experience.
Roy Dickinson, Hybrid Car Owner, says,"You get a little wheel
noise, a little road noise, but virtually no engine noise."
And much less gasoline used.
To qualify, hybrids must get at least 40 miles per gallon.
The announcement comes on a day the price for oil hit a new
record of almost $50 a barrel.
Content © Copyright 2000 - 2004 WorldNow, WTNH, and Associated
Press. All Rights Reserved.
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EVLN(Cool Long Beach City College Fiero EV)
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http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0%2C1413%2C204~28393~2428682%2C00.html
Article Published: Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 7:17:52 AM PST My
cool car By Carlos Medrano
Cal Macy, Program Coordinator at Long Beach City College for the
Advanced Transportation Technology Center, was teaching the class
that made possible for me to convert an '84 Pontiac Fiero from
gas-powered vehicle to an electric car.
The car is powered by 14 eight-volt batteries and has a range of
40 to 45 miles before the batteries need to be recharged.
The onboard battery charger takes a standard receptacle of 110
volts to charge the batteries in eight to 10 hours.
Since it takes about five to 10 seconds to get up to the maximum
speed of 45 mph I am very sure that I will never drive it on the
freeways, as I don't want to commit suicide.
Since I started driving the electric car for the short hops
around town I have purchased gas for my "hog" only twice since
January of this year; of course, the time I filled up for the
trip to Las Vegas and back does not count.
When I first started using the car I was not paying attention to
my "gas gauge" (voltmeter) and I ran out of juice, waited for the
batteries to build themselves back up and drove to the corner gas
station and asked to let them plug my charger for one hour, which
was enough to get me home.
I am having a lot of fun driving my electric car and looking
forward to the time that I can convert another one using hydrogen
cells and batteries. — Carlos Medrano lives in Long Beach
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EVLN(Venturi Fétish fetish)
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http://www.autocorse.it/articoli.php?sid=6211
Novità auto Finally on the roads: Venturi Fétish (26 settembre
2004) pagina 1/2 Pag. successiva
Symbol of renewal, the Fétish concept-car, unveiled in 2002 at
the Geneva International Motor Show, embodies the new turn
Venturi has taken in terms of design.
Presented at the Paris Motor Show the same year, the Fétish
concept-car was awarded a “Talent du Luxe” as well as the
“Michelin Challenge Design”, therefore making Venturi ambassador
of France during the 2003 Detroit Motor Show.
Reinforced by public enthusiasm, we had to turn the concept-car
into a real production car: “to create the sports car of the next
20 years”, such was the ambitious directive of Gildo Pallanca
Pastor for Fétish, to be revealed at the 2004 Paris Motor Show,
coinciding with the gyrfalcon brand’s 20th anniversary.
THE SPORTS CAR OF THE FUTURE, TODAY
Presented as a World Premiere at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the
Venturi Fétish is the first production electric sports car in
automobile history. Fétish demonstrates, with ease, that it is
possible to make today what the big automobile manufacturers are
only proposing 20 years from now.
To reach this ambitious goal, Venturi have surpassed many current
beliefs.
Where public opinion considers an electric vehicle to be ugly,
Fétish is the first electric car to be beautiful and desirable.
Where public opinion believes that an electric car lacks
performance, Fétish offers a remarkable acceleration and a
maximum speed of 170 Km/h, well above the maximum speed limit.
Finally, where electric cars are thought to seriously lack
autonomy, the Fétish offers 350 Km of autonomy and a rapid
battery recharge (with 80 Amps) of 1,6 Km a minute or 10 minutes
recharge for every 16 Km, easily covering the needs of daily
urban transport.
Under the technical direction of Gérard Ducarouge, chief engineer
of the project, Fétish has been conceived to be an electric
vehicle with absolutely no compromise on batteries and using the
best state of the art technology available world-wide, regardless
of price.
With the engine ideally positioned in rear central position and a
monocoque carbon chassis, the overall architecture of the Venturi
is comparable to that of a racing car. The roadholding is an
evolution, even with regard to the Venturi Atlantique 300,
already well renowned for its excellent roadholding .
The vehicle attains a record light weight of 750 Kg without and
1100 Kg with batteries.
Our unique and innovative approach represents a complete change
in cultural direction, the evolution from the traditional sports
car to a noiseless electric sports car, as well as a radical
change in technological references, placing the battery, not the
engine, at the epicentre of the automobile technological
advancement and its performance.
With state of the art technology available and the mass
production of batteries for mobile phones and laptop computers,
an electric sports car is no longer out of the question.
However, before Fétish and the Lithium-Ion batteries, it was not
possible to stock enough energy in an automobile : more than a
ton of batteries would have been necessary to achieve the same
power…
Driving a Fétish
Driving a Venturi Fétish is an entirely new experience, that of
driving the car of the future !
Equipped with a linear torque engine, 100% available on ignition,
achieving 14,000rpm and adjustable engine braking - have you ever
driven such a roadster ?
With a 180Kw engine, Fétish offers a unique driving sensation:
accelerating from 0 to 100Km/h in less than 5 seconds,
demonstrating that its electric propulsion engine indeed
supersedes many petrol engines over 330Hp.
Fétish is therefore a true sports car that can be driven with
precision, offering an exceptional performance.
(Venturi press release)
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http://www.vaildaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040925/NEWS/109250008
Rescue practice NWS Firefighters PU 9-25 Preston
Utley/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Gilbert Trujillo, left, watches
firefighter Kyle Roberts as he uses "splitters" on a section of a
car that will allow him to remove the front door with the
"cutter." Tamara Miller September 25, 2004
Cutting cars apart on a Saturday afternoon may sound silly, and
even criminal to some, but for a firefighter, it's simply good
practice.
Cutting cars was just one of several training exercises resident
firefighters got to practice during Saturday's training symposium
in Avon. The Eagle River Fire Protection District hosted the
event, which aimed to give resident firefighters a chance to
brush up on skills, learn about new technologies and bond with
peers. Firefighters from Vail, Eagle River and Snowmass Village
attended the training camp.
[...]
Hybrid cars may get good gas mileage and are better for the
environment, but they pose a whole host of new challenges for
emergency service officials.
Because the car runs on gasoline and electricity, extricating a
patient out of a wrecked hybrid car requires some new skills to
ensure the rescue is done successfully and safely.
Angela Weeks, a Snowmass Village firefighter, said she hoped to
learn more about how to dismantle a hybrid car while minimizing
the risk of electrocution.
"It's good to get more experience in dealing with these kinds of
things," Weeks said.
Big Horn Toyota brought a hybrid vehicle to the camp to
demonstrate how to make the vehicle safe for a rescue. Other
companies brought equipment for training exercises, as well.
[...]
Staff Writer Tamara Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 607,
or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vail, Colorado
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http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/09/25/news/local/news10.txt
Last Updated: Friday, September 24, 2004 11:39 PM MDT
Hybrid car club meets Sunday
RAPID CITY -- Black Hills Hybrid Car Club will meet 2 p.m. Sunday
at Fjord's Ice Cream Factory on Canyon Lake Drive.
This month's and next month's meetings will feature a "drive for
MPG" on a pre- determined course through the Black Hills. Called
the "One Gallon Challenge," the route is about 53 miles long and
takes about an hour to drive, and participants will attempt to
achieve 50 miles per gallon. Organizer Curt Finnegan said that he
test-drove the course last week with a result of 58 miles per
gallon.
copyright © The Rapid City Journal. All Rights Reserved. Call us
at 605-394-8300 or 800-843-2300 send e-mail to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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EVLN(Electric Pope-mobile)
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http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=132&fArticleId=2237152
WORLD World briefs - September 24, 2004 September 24, 2004
[...]
New wheels for pope Vatican City - It's getting tougher to find a
parking spot in the pope's garage. The Vatican has released a
video of Pope John Paul II being driven around the papal estate
in Castel Gandolfo in the latest vehicle - a white electric car
resembling a golf cart. The pope is shown seated with close aides
in the tiny car, being driven down a dirt road. The papal fleet
includes a half dozen popemobiles and several limousines
[...]
©2004 The Star. All rights reserved.
Reliance on the information this site contains is at your own risk.
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EVLN(Steve May drives a GEM to his solar-powered server farm)
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http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/0%2C39020463%2C39168060%2C00.htm
Insight > Business Thursday 30th September 2004
'Green' IT: A feasible proposition?
Martin LaMonica CNET News.com September 27, 2004, 17:05 BST
An environmentally friendly data centre aims to prove that there
is money to be made in IT businesses that don't drain the planet
Steve May is going to test whether "green" marketing clicks with
customers in the faceless Web-hosting business.
May is the founder and chief executive of Solar Data Centres, a
company that bills itself as one of the first hosting outfits
powered entirely by renewable energy.
The company currently purchases its energy from a third party
that uses only renewable resources, and by the end of next year
it plans to open a small data centre powered entirely by
electricity generated from its own solar panels.
May -- who drives an electric car to work -- has made a personal
commitment to purchasing renewable energy, but his hosting
venture is purely commercial. His gambit is more about marketing
than it is about tree hugging, he says.
"It's a completely different spin. It allows us to distinguish
ourselves from the oceans of very similar service providers," May
says.
May's operation is tiny in comparison to the behemoths of the
multibillion-dollar Web-hosting market, which includes IBM and
AT&T. But Solar Data Centres is slowly carving out a niche,
serving more than 300 customers, such as the US Department of
Energy's million Solar Roofs programme and the Portland Oregon
Visitors Association, which have a commitment to use renewable
sources of energy.
"I suspect that early customers will be the deep-green, smaller,
entrepreneurial companies that are always looking for the next
thing they can do," says Jacquelyn Ottman, author of the book
"Green Marketing" and founder of J. Ottman Consulting, which
works with businesses on environmentally friendly procedures and
design.
Solar Data Centres was started about five years ago, when May
acquired a small Web-hosting company called Solar Host that used
photovoltaic cells to power about 12 servers. That initial
venture charged a premium for solar-powered hosting services.
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EVLN(Lexus hybrid, dual Electric motors and a 3.3L ICE)
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3685052.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 23 September, 2004, 22:00 GMT 23:00 UK
Lexus challenges Toyota's hybrid hegemony By Jorn Madslien BBC
News Online business reporter at the Paris Motor Show
An attractive mix, powerful yet kind to the environment
The Toyota Prius petrol and electric hybrid car which has become
such a hit in recent months with the green-thinking Hollywood set
is about to be given a run for its money.
The latest challenger is built in-house, though, by Toyota
Motor's luxury car subsidiary Lexus.
On show at the Paris Motor Show, the Lexus RX400h Sports Utility
Vehicle (SUV) offers right thinking Californians the chance to be
green, or at least relatively so, while at the same time driving
a powerful car.
The Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle has a 3.3 litre V6 petrol engine
that delivers 286 bhp, as well as two electric motors - one in
front, one in the back.
Toyota and Lexus vice president James Rosenstein insists the
Lexus will travel 100 kilometres on 8 litres of petrol.
That might be good for a car this size, but it is hardly a green
alternative to small cars.
Selling point
Nevertheless, the RX400h is expected to boost the Lexus brand,
both in the US where it is already popular and in Europe where
years of hard nosed marketing efforts have failed to boost market
share.
"Hybrid will make a difference for Lexus," Mr Rosenstein insists.
In the USA, the non-hybrid equivalent of the RX400h is called
RX300. It is the most popular Lexus going.
Toyota executives show off the latest model with a new, cleaner
diesel engine
And yet, US dealers predict that the new hybrid will make up half
its SUV sales in America as soon as it becomes available for
customers.
In Europe, Mr Rosenberg hopes the hybrid SUV will help make up
for recent years' disappointing performance.
"Lexus has been weak in Europe because the design has not been
adapted to European tastes and because we have not had diesel,"
he said.
New designs with "a bit more emotion", along with hybrid and
diesel engines - both due to hit the market next year, could well
appeal to Europeans lumbered with much more expensive petrol than
the Americans, Mr Rosenberg suggested.
"The hybrid Lexus is also an answer to those who complain that
SUVs are gas guzzlers," he said.
Competition
Other car makers are increasingly getting ready to follow Toyota
Motor's suit and launch competing hybrid vehicles of their own.
Toyota's Prius hybrid vehicle was just the beginning
Ahead of the pack is Honda which has been developing hybrid
technologies of their own, alongside Toyota's. Peugeot is also in
on the act with its stop-and-go technology.
But other car makers have arrived late for the party and have
decided to pay to get onto the fast track.
"We've licensed the technology to Ford (which has used it to
launch its Escape SUV), we have licensed our technology to
Nissan, and there has been contact with other manufacturers" Mr
Rosenstein said.
"This is just the beginning," Mr Rosenstein said, promising
several new hybrid models from both Toyota and Lexus in the near
future.
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http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news_releases.mhtml?d=64363
Source: Power Technology Inc.
Power Technology to Manufacture Prototype Batteries for Industry
Evaluation
HOUSTON, Sept. 23, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Power Technology, Inc.
announced today the Company plans to manufacture prototype
batteries of its patented, ultra light technology for industry
evaluation.
Bernard J. Walter, CEO of Power Technology, stated, "Our recent
completed agreement for $5.5 million in new capital will fund the
manufacture of our prototype patented batteries. "These batteries
are anticipated to be up to 66% lighter and contain 90% less lead
than conventional batteries. Additionally, Company research shows
our batteries should also have superior recharge rates and
lifetimes. Providing these batteries for industry evaluation will
allow us to refine our sales strategy and manufacturing plans for
full commercialization of our unique battery technology."
About Power Technology, Inc. -- Power Technology, Inc. is a
research and development company that is engaged in activities
regarding alternative battery technology using patented, ultra
light materials with up to 75% less weight and 90% less lead
content than conventional batteries. The Company is in the early
stages of commercializing its battery technology to serve the $14
billion industrial battery market.
The Battery Market -- Automotive Sector -- In the automotive
sector, more than 110 million lead acid batteries for vehicles
were manufactured in 2003 for more than 650 million vehicles on
the world's roads. Approximately 81% of automotive battery sales
worldwide in fiscal 2003 were to the automotive replacement
market, with the remaining sales to the original equipment
market.
Major U.S. lead acid manufacturers include Johnson Controls,
Exide Technologies, Delphi Corporation, Fiamm and East Penn
Manufacturing Company. Johnson Controls makes batteries for more
than 35 million vehicles annually; the batteries were worth an
estimated $1.8 billion. In 2003, Johnson Controls acquired
European VARTA Automotive GmbH and its 80% majority ownership in
VB Autobatterie GmbH (Varta), a major European automotive battery
manufacturer headquartered in Germany. More than 50 million
Chinese sealed lead acid batteries were shipped in 2003.
Hybrid vehicle growth drove growth for nickel metal hydride and
lithium batteries as more than 120,000 hybrid passenger cars have
been sold. Demand is expected to continue to exceed production. A
variety of military and specialty hybrid vehicles were also
introduced in 2003.
The $14 billion annual industrial battery market segments
generally fall into two major categories: traction batteries,
also called motive power batteries and stationary batteries, also
referred to as standby power batteries or uninterruptible power
supplies (UPS).
Industrial trucks and rail and mine vehicles represent two major
subcategories of motive power batteries. Industrial trucks
include forklifts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), various
types of towing vehicles, and floor cleaning equipment. Battery
powered mine and rail vehicles are used in mines where gas could
be ignited by spark-ignition engines. Locomotive starting
batteries and railcar emergency power batteries are also included
in this subcategory. Golf cart or marine batteries electric road
vehicles, electric boats and non-military submersible vehicles
are also included in this sector.
Exide is a dominant player in the Industrial Battery segment,
with more than $2.4 billion in sales. Exide has the largest
market share for motive power products on a global basis. The
Hawker Battery Group acquired in 2001 by EnerSys is number two in
Europe. Other competitors in Europe include Fiamm, Hoppecke, BAE
and MIDAC. Exide ranks second to Enersys in market share in North
America. In North America, the other major competitors are C&D
Technologies and East Penn. In Asia, JSB, Panasonic, Yuasa and
Hitachi are the major competitors with Yuasa being the market
leader. In countries such as Brazil, China and India, local
manufacturing is required and U.S. and European corporations
often partner with local companies.
This anthology is based on BCC, Inc.'s Battery & EV Technology
Newsletter. It keeps readers abreast of the rapid technology
developments, which characterize the battery and EV industry. It
covers breaking technology developments and industry news.
This press release includes [...] "forward-looking" statements
[...] CONTACT: Power Technology, Inc. Bernard J. Walter Chief
Executive Officer (713) 621-4310 www.PWTCBATTERY.COM
© 2003 PrimeZone Media Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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