Bill, I do have the Leaf. I ended up ordering it sight unseen and highly skeptical. I thought sure that when it got here I was going to decline the purchase, largely based on what I have seen for conversions. The Leaf combined all the advantages of a conversion with all the advantages of a production car.
A good technical build challenge is great for HS age kids. It can help keep them engaged in school and show them where they could go after HS. Here in WA, they have robot building competitions. I took a lunch a few years ago to watch one and it was cool even at my age. Brian From: Bill Cardell [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:22 AM To: Brian Pifer; Larry Alster Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: Miata electric conversion Brian, Do you have the Leaf? We have given a little support to an EV Miata that a high school in NC built. There is an East coast competition between high schools for EV cars, where they compete in autocross, some years drag racing, range, team function, etc. The teams have to do their own fundraising and keeping their sponsors updated. http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-puts-high-school-students-into-the-dr/ I briefly tried to get our local school district to replicate this, but the wheels of bureaucracy move too slowly for my limited attention span. Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad Flyin' Miata<http://www.flyinmiata.com/> HELP FLYIN' MIATA GO TO TARGA NEWFOUNDLAND! <http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/targa/index.php> Targa Miata Facebook page<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flyin-Miatas-at-Targa-Newfoundland/144488045605566> FMWestfield<http://www.fmwestfield.com/> Sales 1-800-359-6957 Tech 970-464-5600 Before you call, check out http://www.flyinmiata.com/FAQ/ ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Pifer Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 11:14 AM To: Larry Alster Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: Miata electric conversion I don't normally chime in because others have more knowledge and are faster than I. But I take issue with your assertion that "battery electric cars are still a stupid idea." Yes, they have drawbacks (limited range & higher initial cost), but they also have advantages (lower operating cost & less foreign oil dependence). Current electric cars are not for everyone and you really need a second "long distance" car for road trips. But just like a diesel pickup is great for towing, an electric car is great for commuting. I drive just over 100 miles on some days and 70 or so on most. My car will easily do 80 on the highway with plenty of power left for passing. I don't spare the accelerator pedal and haven't changed any of my driving habits. It's a real car. I pay .03 per mile to drive my electric car versus .13 per mile to drive my midsize sedan. I paid a $15,000 premium for the electric car (without incentives) and it will take 150,000 miles to even that out. I drive 25k miles per year, so in 6 years, I'll be even. But for me, the real advantage is that we've got a zillion ways to make electricity, but a whole lot less ways to make gas. No more of my money will go to middle east countries that hate America. Since I have solar panels on my roof, I am 100% in control of my transportation costs. That's worth a lot to me. An electric car my not suit your needs or driving style - that's ok. But for up to 80% of Americans, it could. And that could make a very real difference in national energy supply and national security. Brian From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Larry Alster Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 6:56 AM To: 'Ray Ayala' Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: Miata electric conversion That's not totally fair since you get rid of the weight of the IC engine. That said battery electric cars are still a stupid idea. Larry Alster 91 Miata White Knight 92 Miata Silver Bullet 92 Miata Honey B 04 MSM MX-5 Whooosh 06 WRX STi Subie
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