Here is a plug-in hybrid that you can build - NOW- (not in your dreams)
for the morning commute, and for under $600
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKKvP9wWrlY
It helps to be fit and young and live in a city with excellent weather
and little rain, like San Francisco or LA, BUT even rainy Seattle and
Portland are doable.
...for those who bike-commute, you can get to work considerably faster
in many cities than by car or even limo, have no parking problem or fees
when you get there ($18.00 per day in SF now if you are lucky) and get
your daily exercise to boot. Win-Win. There are so many bicycle
commuters on that West Coast that it is beginning to resemble Beijing.
Not really, but anyway - it is a good-green start to sensible daily
transport in many areas.
What makes this possible now?
With little fanfare, DeWalt - the power tool company introduced lithium
nanophospate LiFePO4 - about a year ago. Home Depot carries them (with a
markup) but there are ways to buy direct.
The 36 volt version has double the power to weight ratio of the typical
Sony lithium-ion computer battery, much longer life, half the cost,
faster recharging - and so far, no fires.
Since lithium ion was a factor of four away from the 'bettery' in
performance and eight away (in cost), I suppose you could say that now
we are only a factor of two away in performance, and we have yet to see
the long-awaited EEStor.
2008 may be the year that the floodgates for the plug-in hybrid open,
even if it is only for the two-wheeled variety; and after-market for autos.
Speaking of nascent trends: Have you heard of the 1% rule? Supposedly,
when one percent of the public become intensely dedicated to anything
(if it is perceived as legal and moral to the others) then that is all
the impetus that is required for massive changes in legislation, even
from unwilling lawmakers. Only one big US city has reached that level of
dedication for bicycling so far, but next year there could be a dozen:
http://www.sfbike.org/
Jones
