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Our Monthly E-Newsletter Includes:
- Special insider information direct from the manufacturer
- Exclusive discounts
- Informational “green” car articles
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| Electric vs Gas |
Nov 26th, 2008 |
Found on HybridCars.com
Click here for original posting
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| SF Bay leaders plan $1B for electric car stations |
Nov 24th, 2008 |
By JASON DEAREN
Associated Press Writer
Published: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008
Found On sacbee.com- Click here for original posting
SF Bay Leaders Plan $1B For Electric Car Stations
SAN FRANCISCO -- A $1 billion network of electric car recharging stations will dot San Francisco Bay area highways under a plan unveiled Thursday that aims to greatly expand the number of electric vehicles on the road.
Palo Alto-based Better Place along with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced the deal to install charging stations in homes, businesses, parking lots and government buildings by 2012.
The company said it will also build mechanized battery swapping centers where robots will remove and replace the batteries in cars that are compatible with the system. These stations will allow electric car drivers to travel longer distances without recharging.
The initiative would make the Bay Area the first region in the U.S. to create an electric car network.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday supported the deal, which the company hopes to someday take statewide.
"This type of public-private partnership is exactly what I envisioned when we created the first-ever low carbon fuel standard and when the state enacted the zero emissions vehicle program," Schwarzenegger said in statement. "This partnership is proof that by working together, we can achieve our goals of creating a healthier planet while boosting our economy at the same time."
The company also unveiled a prototype electric Nissan Rogue SUV, the second prototype developed under Better Place's partnership with automakers.
Better Place has already struck similar deals with Israel, Denmark and Australia to create electric vehicle infrastructure in those countries. The company models itself on mobile phone network providers like AT&T Inc. and compared its charging stations and battery swapping stations to cell phone towers.
"We put in the infrastructure, and the big carmakers make the electric cars for us," said Joe Paluska, the company's head of policy and communications.
"This is an opportunity for California to apply its strength in technology and innovation to Michigan's manufacturing might," he said. "We now need a strong national policy set by the new administration to help the U.S. revive its auto industry and it's economy."
Until now, the knock on most electric vehicles is that they were prohibitively expensive because the batteries cost $10,000 or more.
Paluska said the new prototype vehicles solve that problem - the replaceable batteries in the prototype cars would be owned by the company, not the consumer. But, like cell phone companies, Better Place would charge drivers a subscription fee to use its recharging facilities.
For their part, the mayors vowed to help streamline local permitting and regulations to hasten the installation of hookups in the region, and to provide incentives for local businesses to install charging outlets for employees.
"Our goal is to make the Bay Area - and eventually California - the electric-vehicle capital of the world," Newsom said.
Mark Duvall, director of electric transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto said Better Place's idea is promising, but not without its hurdles. For example, Duvall said, the battery swapping plan would force Better Place to rely on automaker partners to build vehicles that comply with the technology in its stations.
"Every battery system is powerful and sophisticated, and specific to a different battery technology," Duvall said. "They would have to standardize every part of the interface, and that's a problem: Every car company has suppliers they work with."
Still, Duvall said it's an exciting time with a lot of innovation and ideas being developed.
"In the end, if the vehicles are there and available at a reasonable cost, this will work and will work everywhere," he said.
Also at the announcement Thursday was environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said the effort would provide a blueprint for the rest of the nation.
"If you do it in California, it's easier for me to go to Mayor Bloomberg in New York ... (or leaders) in Washington, D.C., and say this is something we've got to do nationally."
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| Eco Cars: Nexter – An electric car for congested city lanes |
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Posted on ecofriend.org by Anupam on November 17, 2008
Click here for original posting
Eco Factor: Lead-acid battery powered compact city car.
The Earth is not going to swell in the future to accommodate the growth in population and cars. City lanes are more congested than they ever were before and the situation is going to get worse in the near future. Car designers today are not just focusing on electric cars, but they have to keep the space factor in consideration before they bring the car of their dreams to paper.
Designer Florian FOIZON has addressed both of these issues in a future car called the Nexter. The car has been developed for a city tottering with space and environmental problems. The car is just under a meter wide and can carry two passengers. The car gets power from lead-acid batteries that give it a range of about 150 Km and a top speed of 90 Km/h.
The Dark Side:
In an effort to lower the cost of the car, Florian aims to power the car with lead-acid batteries that are not as energy-efficient as their lithium counterparts. Moreover, these batteries need some routine maintenance to make them perform flawlessly. Lithium batteries on the other hand, are maintenance free and provide a better performance than lead-acid batteries.
[Thanks: Florian FOIZON]
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| Green Awareness Goal of San Jacinto Valley Coalition |
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Found on PE.com
Click here for original posting
By DIANE A. RHODES
Special to The Press-Enterprise
Most people are cognizant of conservation issues and the importance of recycling. But many do not know how to make a difference on a daily basis.
That's where the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley comes in.
"Our goal is awareness," said Wigsbert "Wiggs" Mendoza, president of the nonprofit organization, which was formed in August. "Green Coal's purpose is to be a resource to the community."
Story continues below
Diane A. Rhodes / Special to The Press-Enterprise
Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley members, from left, Ginger Stack, Wiggs Mendoza and Flora Johnson stand near Johnson's ZENN electric car she purchased in April.
The coalition's action plan includes community education through workshops and activities; citizen participation through use of a green directory that identifies locations of recycling centers and product outlets; and advocacy for green development for businesses and homes.
"It's hard to define what 'sustainable community' means," said Mendoza, of Hemet. "It's about not doing things that will lead to the degradation of our community."
The group hopes that residents will "work together to balance ecological, economic and social needs to ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment for all members of society and for generations to come."
Mendoza practices what he preaches by driving a fuel-efficient three-cylinder Geo Metro and taking Metrolink to work in Los Angeles. He has been employed by the Metropolitan Water District for about 15 years and currently works as its manager of sustainability resources and economic development.
"Working for the water district gives me a daily dose of conservation," Mendoza said. "But water is only one part of it -- we need to take a whole-house approach. It's not only about the environment but about overextending ourselves and threatening resources."
Mendoza also is a Hemet city planning commissioner.
"My claim to fame is I brought the green concepts in and the City Council was supportive," he said. "Building green is about managed growth."
Coalition member Flora Johnson moved into an all-electric home in Hemet six years ago. The solar panels on her roof generate the power needed to operate everything in and around her house.
In April, she purchased a zero-emissions ZENN electric vehicle.
"Since 90 percent of my driving is around town I didn't want to spend that much on gas, so I researched alternatives," Johnson said.
She now spends about 88 cents for every 25 miles she gets per battery charge.
"She carries an extension cord in the back like other people carry jumper cables," Mendoza said.
The Green Coalition will participate in the Hemet Christmas Parade on Dec. 6. Individuals and families are invited to ride bikes or walk alongside energy-efficient vehicles that will be in the parade to help increase awareness in the community.
"Knowledge is never wasted," said Ginger Stack, Mendoza's wife and the organization's secretary.
The next meeting is at noon Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall, 515 E. Kimball, Hemet. Lunch is optional but reservations are required by calling 951-929-0854.
Membership applications are available at meetings and by contacting Mendoza at greencoal@rocketmail.com.
Information: 951-616-8644.
Reach Diane A. Rhodes at 951-763-3461 or dianealease@hotmail.com
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| Chasing EV's In LA |
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Check out this blog with awesome pictures and videos done by Remy C. of Electrifying Times. He and Ashley visited the Tesla showroom, EnVironmental Motors and the EV builder, Electric Louie.
Click here for full blog
On Friday October 17th 2008, race car driver Ashley Van Dyke and I met at the Tesla Motors Showroom on the corner of Santa Monica and Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles. It was our first time witnessing the car close up. I must say, I was duly impressed by how beautifully finished they are. You're getting what you're paying for.
After a wonderful morning spent at the Tesla Motors showroom, Ashley and I made our way clear cross town through rush hour traffic in a Prius rental to pay EnvironmentalMotors in Glendale a visit.
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| Ultracapacitors For Electric Cars Looking More Likely |
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Found on NYTimes.com
October 24, 2008
By CHRIS MORRISON, VentureBeat
According to most experts’ expectations for electric cars, the vehicles will be fueled mainly by batteries. But there’s a dark horse competitor for energy storage: ultracapacitors, devices that store energy in an electric field. Three companies, Apowercap Technologies, Eestor and Maxwell Technologies, looking increasingly likely to commercialize that technology.
The first, Apowercap, just received a funding commitment for between $5 and $20 million from an
investment firm called EastOne Group, according to Dow Jones’ Clean Technology Investor. The money will
help bring down the cost for the devices, the principal barrier to their use.
When ultracapacitors become cheap enough to be practical, one potential application is their use in tandem with a battery. A capacitor can absorb charge much more quickly than a battery, although they also tend to lose that charge more quickly, so they’re a good for fast fueling. Green Light has some useful details on
Apowercap’s plans in that area.
Click here for full article-->
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| Bailout Gives Tax Credits to Bike Commuters, Electric Cars, Renewable Energy |
Oct 15th, 2008 |
Bailout Gives Tax Credits to Bike Commuters, Electric Cars, Renewable Energy
October 06, 2008 02:53 PM ET by Maura Judkis
Found on USNews.com
Click here for full article
Three new measures that will aid green consumers passed through Congress as part of the massive bailout bill last week. Here’s the rundown:
* The Bicycle Commuter Act was added on to last week’s bailout bill and will provide a $20 tax credit per month to employers of bike commuters. The credit is intended to go toward adding provisions for bike commuters, like racks and locker rooms, for those who decide to go car free. However, many are decrying the act because it is part of an assortment of pork added to the bailout that some find frivolous--other items of which include tax credits for NASCAR track owners, film companies, and manufacturers of wool clothing.
* Another piece of that pork: a tax credit for owners of electric cars. Fans of the Chevy Volt, who were disappointed by the electric car’s price, have a reason to celebrate again, as the transportation and domestic fuel security provision will provide a base of $2,500 plus an additional $417 per kilowatt-hour for batteries greater than four kilowatt-hours. Unfortunately, according to GM, “the credit will be applied to the first 250,000 plug-in cars sold in the U.S. and will be phased out to 50 percent for the following two quarters, and 25 percent for the two quarters after that before ending.” So, it’s a limited-time offer. The credits will cost $758 million total.
* A final green item that was tacked on to the bailout was the extension of the production tax credits and investment tax credits provisions for renewable energy. Many on Capitol Hill feared that the package would be neglected and left to expire because of the financial crisis. Treehugger breaks down the benefits of the act:
Wind power tax credits have been extended for one year; other types of renewable energy such as small-scale hydro or tidal power have been extended for two years. The bigger news is that solar tax credits for businesses and residential installations have been extended for eight years. The entire package amounts to $18 billion in tax credits and will be partially paid for by closing tax loopholes for the oil and gas industry.
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| City Takes Closer Look At Electric Vehicles |
Oct 14th, 2008 |
Published Oct 9, 2008
By Kelly Garrison
Features Editor
Found on Gazettes.com (Click here for full article)
A growing interest in the use of the compact, zero-emission Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) has garnered the attention of city officials.
Both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Environmental Committee were asked to explore ways the city might accommodate drivers of such vehicles after a 6-0 vote by the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday evening. Fifth District City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said NEVs could help residents save money on gasoline costs while reducing pollution.
“Since these vehicles are energy efficient, and they are becoming more popular, I thought we should explore if they are feasible at all in Long Beach,” she said. “… At the recent League of California Cities conference in Long Beach, I attended a session on these vehicles and the need for cities to update their speed restrictions where possible.”
NEVs operate on rechargeable battery power and have been described as having the appearance of slightly oversized golf carts. They are slow-speed vehicles, reaching top speeds of 25 mph.
“These vehicles mean clean air and will only increase in number as people come to realize the energy crisis is here to stay,” Fourth District City Councilman Patrick O’Donnell said.
The council’s recommendation includes having city staff look into laws and regulations associated with NEVs. Fifth District Chief of Staff Josh Butler said the council may hear a report back from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee toward the end of November, after the group’s next meeting.
“The idea is to make sure our laws are up-to-date, provide maximum safety, and allow for these green vehicles to travel on our roads in a safe manner,” O’Donnell said. “We seek to ensure that our local vehicle code is as modern as the vehicles traveling down the road.”
Regulations may include permitting NEV drivers to travel only in areas with low speed limits (around 30 mph). The vehicles would need to weigh no more than 2,500 pounds and include several standard features, such as parking brakes, and reflectors.
Schipske said NEVs have been used by other cities for parking enforcement, park patrols and maintenance. Certain gated communities, she added, also have allowed them onto their streets.
Investigating alternative energy is nothing new to Long Beach. Earlier this year, the city began a pilot program to test the use of biodiesel, which potentially could power many of its trucks, large cars and other diesel vehicles. To date, the Long Beach city fleet includes 30 NEVs and a number of alternative energy vehicles.
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| A message from the Kick Gas Festival Organizers |
Oct 12th, 2008 |
Hello to all of our 2008 Kick Gas Festival friends and fans. We have GREAT news!!! Chris Paine, writer and director for the ground-breaking motion picture "Who Killed the Electric Car", will be filming the 2008 Kick Gas Festival and races for his next feature film, "Revenge of the Electric Car".
The Kick Gas Fesitval is on October 12th from noon to 9pm at the Barona 1/8 mile Drag Strip in San Diego California
For more info: Click here
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| Event- 2008 Kick Gas Festival Sunday October 12th |
Oct 11th, 2008 |
Chris Paine, Director and Producer of "Who Killed the Electric Car" has confirmed to be the Grand Marshal for the inaugural Kick Gas Festival featuring the 2008 NEDRA Nationals. This is an EVent that you and your associates will want to attend and follow through the KickGasFestival website.
Shawn Lawless has already committed to bring his two record holding vehicles "Juiced Up" and "AGNUS" from Ohio and you can register your EV through Paul Thomas at pthomas@kickgasfestival.com.
So help spread the word about this EVent and come early so that you will be able to get into this this EVent before it fills up at Barona Drag Strip in the San Diego, CA area on Sunday, October 12, 2008. No charge for camping from Saturday through Monday; but you pay admission like everyone else.
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