Tesla Motors (EV)

He basically says that hydrogen fuel-cells are the future and that plug in electric cars are going to die because they have no range and are not convenient. Honestly though, what could be more convenient than plugging your car in an outlet at home at night. As far as range goes, the Telsa has a battery range of 300 miles. The technology is there it’s just a little more expensive.

Also, something Michael failed to understand was that the Ford Motor Company has already given up on future development of fuel-cell technology. They realized that before anyone would ever invest in such an expensive fuel-cell car, consumers would have to be able to see that the infrastructure is already in place. As you need special fuel-cell fueling stations for this kind of technology to work on a mass scale.

Sorry folks, I believe that electric cars are the future. We just need to make sure that the electricity that powers our communities are derived from a green source like wind, solar or geothermal.

Also, I just want to add that if the big motor companies are unable (or unwilling) to really think and put together a car for the future than maybe it’s time for them to go bankrupt and let young innovative companies take over.

Image: Tesla Motors

Post from: EveryJoe

What is the future of cars?

Better Place’s 10 Words campaign invites regular, everyday people to share with the world – in 10 words or less – why they think we need to stop our oil addiction. The site turns your words into an animated graphic that others can see, and that you can post online.

Check them out, and make sure to come back and post your own!

Post from: EveryJoe

Make a Statement

Chrysler is heading full steam ahead into hybrid and electric vehicles, with a new division – ENVI, an all-electric line – slated to begin producing within the next 5 years. In addition, it’s highly anticipated that a hybrid version of the Dodge Caravan will hit the market by 2010.

Right now, major automakers are facing a slump, and none moreso than Chrysler. 70 PERCENT of their sales come from monsters … big, Big vehicles like the Dodge Ram, the Charger, their new baby the Challenger. None of which are eco- (or particularly pocket book) friendly. I’m very excited to see what comes of the hybrid Aspen and Durango. They’re thousands less expensive than comparable hybrid models and they have enough room for large-ish families. Personally, I think if they market them as well as they pushed the new Caravan, Chrysler’s hybrid sales will be very successful. If they can add an affordable hybrid minivan?? Wowzers.

Source: The Weekly Driver

Post from: EveryJoe

Hybrid Minivans … 2010!

I hoped to talk with the guys and see where their resource was headed. Bo Bennett took some time out to comment. Thanks again, Bo.

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You started out with EVCast intending to be a weekly podcast, and decided fairly quickly to go daily. Why did you make that decision?

With all the news in the industry, we felt we would be doing the listeners an injustice by creating just a weekly podcast. We would either have to leave out many stories, or make the weekly podcast excruciatingly long. Not everyone listens daily now, but at least they have the choice of staying up to date on a daily basis, or tuning in just once a week to our weekly podcast on Tuesday afternoons.

You’ve interviewed some amazing people so far. Which shows have been your favorites? Who are you looking forward to speaking with in the future?

The shows I like best are when Ryan and I crack each other up with spontaneous comments. But as for interviews, I was most impressed so far with Ian Clifford from Zen, because he can very well be one of the people responsible for the way we store energy in the future. If the EEstor storage technology works, it will be amazing. If not, well, he still is an impressive man with the ability to shoot for the stars.

I am looking forward to speaking with more of the “small guys” that are doing some amazing things to change the way we drive.

Out of all of the EVs on the market, what 3 vehicles would you recommend to today’s consumers?

This depends on many factors. For example, if you are rich and you do not mind waiting 15 months, get the Tesla. If you mostly drive alone and relatively short distances, go for the Myers Motor’s NmG. But for me personally, as much as I want an EV today, I just have to wait. There are many very practical and affordable options due out that I believe will meet the needs of 95% of all drivers.

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Please don’t forget to register to win a free Rand McNally 85th Anniversary road atlas from EcoFriendlyDriver.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Catching up with the Guys from EVCast

Yes, blowing up on the road would be bad. Does that mean Exxon is now good? Environmentally? For “the world’s largest gasoline refinery”, that’s an image that will take getting used to, but thankfully they aren’t taking that role too seriously:

 The company, which has big plastic and chemical operations, isn’t keen on the long-term prospects for biofuels, but it is bullish on the hybrid market. It believes that these gasoline sippers will grab a larger share of new-vehicle sales than the federal government forecasts. “We are interested in good business opportunities, and that is what this is,” says Jim Harris, senior vice president of Exxon’s chemical company.

I’m sure the good PR they’re getting from the endeavor isn’t hurting, either.  ;)

According to the  Wall Street Journal, Exxon’s products are already used in over 30% of lithium ions on the market today, and they’re pouring a heck of a lot of effort into expanding the technology. It looks like they are set to blaze a trail … just makes me wonder where they’re really heading.

Post from: EveryJoe

And you thought yesterday was weird — Exxon & EVs?

Post from: EveryJoe

So, check this out. I pretended to…

One of the latest is Guy Nègre, a Frenchman who founded Motor Development International, now MDI Enterprises, in Carros, France, in 1991. He produced his first compressed-air engine five years later. “We’ve developed 14 vehicles and have three running prototype cars,” Nègre said.

With speeds up to 68 mph, and 120+ miles per “fueling” – basically, plugging into an outlet – the cars seem like they could find a place among the coming wave of eco friendly cars.

Move Over Corncobs…

Post from: EveryJoe

We’ve heard of solar power, but cars that run on air?

The Miama Herald wrote this article on two companies doing electric conversions in Florida. One, specifically on luxury cars.

Fed up with steep gas prices, the Pompano Beach firefighter hired Clunn, a Fort Pierce mechanic, this year to help him transform the shell of a Porsche 911 into an all-electric ride.

Pierce, 45, bought the shell for about $500 and expects to spend another $35,000 to convert the car into an electric vehicle (or EV, for those in the know). When complete, it will have all the extras and drive about 60 miles on a single charge from a 120- or 240-volt outlet. It even could plug into a solar array or another electric car.

And Pierce will never need to fill ‘er up.

”Ninety percent of my driving is to and from work, a 10- to 15-mile range,” Pierce said.

I don’t know. Would you like to get your hands on a Porsche 911 for $35,000? Bwaha. And it would never need fuel? And you could charge it just about anywhere with an electric outlet? This Pierce guy is a very smart man.

Post from: EveryJoe

The cost of converting from gas to electric

Boo Hiss Boo!

Brian Gordon writes for Environmental Graffiti:

Canada comes up with world-leading technology, and the Canadian government caves to American corporate pressure to kill off what could be an entry for Canada into the new green economy of the future?

He goes on to say:

The electric car manufacturers are shutting down because the Canadian government won’t let them sell in Canada – even though they can sell in the United States, which has the same standards.

In truth, Americans make up the majority of the Canadian EV market. Unfortunately, laws in Canada – and a handful of states in the US – mean that most electric vehicles simply aren’t fast enough to be considered “road worthy.” It’s not some big conspiracy to bury Canada’s “world leading” technology, to keep our friends to the north down on their luck … we love Canadians. Your accents. Your blog networks. We’re with you on this one.

Check out a leading Canadian EV manufacturer here: ZENN – Zero Emissions, No Noise

* Canada/US Flag is actually a bumper sticker available at O’CanadaGear.Com

Post from: EveryJoe

AMERICA is killing the Canadian EV??