tagged w/ Electric Cars
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A quick trip through mid-morning traffic in a Ford Focus Electric.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI1ornz9dyI
Burn Rubber, Not Gasoline!A quick trip through mid-morning traffic in a Ford Focus Electric.... more
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We accept that solar power and wind power are nice, but not enough to actually sustain a civilization. We accept that atomic power is always going to be toxic and disastrous. We accept that electric cars are for yuppie douchebags and public transit is for poor, smelly people. We read science fiction and dream of a nicer future, while accepting that our current alternate-energy tech is as cutting edge as it could possibly be because we’re Americans and we invented Google and the iPad and microwave popcorn so if there was something better than oil we would have created it already, right?
Don’t believe it. There’s much more to be done, and we’re not going to do much of it until alternative energy stops being a Mr. Wizard sideshow rarely seen outside of car expos and the covers of tech magazines, and starts being the only way to drag our kids to the soccer field. I’d love to be proved wrong, but I’m not holding my breath.
Full article at link. I hope he is wrong but I am afraid he is right.We accept that solar power and wind power are nice, but not enough to actually sustain... more
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Although there are public charging stations installed under the DOE program at local places like Bookmans and Thoroughbred Nissan, these are the first electric vehicle charging stations in Arizona to connect solar power to electric vehicle charging.
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Read more: http://azstarnet.com/business/local/article_7b268048-b246-56d2-be76-87f98872a5fd.html#ixzz1Zp9XmY00
Gotta love it when people in the sunbelt get some help to use the sun. Back in the 80s, when I moved from Helena, MT where solar panels had been added on many older homes that had been retro fitted with better insulation (thank you, Jimmy Carter) I was astounded that there weren't solar panels all over Tucson. Talked to a few architects who smirked and said: Here, the problem is to stay cool, not collect heat. I almost fainted and went into my routine re how much power went just to heat water in most households, and that I assumed Arizonans used hot water. Solar was slow to show up in 'The Baked Apple' but it started making inroads.
This is a good sign. Fourth Ave is sorta hippy central in Tucson, between the university and the downtown district. Glad to see some clever folks used some of that stimulus money to build a practical example of how solar can really help, if we just think of the possibilities."
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Although there are public charging stations installed under the DOE... more
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SCION’s innovative, micro-premium auto, the iQ, brings the big ideas featured in Urban Mobility and concentrates them into a sleek, new vehicle that’s big on style, sophistication and comfort but compact enough to blend easily into the urban lifestyle.
The iQ’s style is captured by innovative artists from across the country in this short film which captures the true essence behind this smartly designed car. The iQ brings a whole new set of rules to the auto-design table and will change the way you think about Urban Mobility.
As the iQ changes the way we imagine innovative vehicle design, what are some new concepts you can imagine for the future of Urban Mobility?
SCION’s innovative, micro-premium auto, the iQ, brings the big ideas featured in... more
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Scion’s iQ brings urban style, comfort and functionality to the auto-market. The iQ embodies the ideals and values of Urban Mobility with its sleek design, safety features, tight handling and roomy interior. As the world’s smallest 4 seater, the iQ is full of big ideas in a concentrated, compact, innovative design.
What are the most innovative features of the iQ?
Scion’s iQ brings urban style, comfort and functionality to the auto-market.... more
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Concept vehicles like Terreform's Hug n' Kiss land car, Gordon Murray's T.25 & the Libert-E electric scooter are just some of the highlights from this year's Urban Mobility segments that inspire you to think about the future of urban transportation and challenge you to explore your world consciously. Check out another innovative new vehicle, Scion's iQ, which is turning concept into reality in this week's Urban Mobility.Concept vehicles like Terreform's Hug n' Kiss land car, Gordon Murray's... more
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HOV lanes are designed to encourage ride sharing in passenger vehicles during peak driving hours. These lanes are typically reserved for vehicles carrying two or more passengers or busses only. Recently Ontario, Canada has come to the decision to allow electric vehicles to drive in the HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV’s) and full battery electric vehicles (BEV’s) are both eligible to apply for special green license plates which would allow them to drive in HOV lanes. Though scooters like the Libert-E, which are restricted to local roads, are ineligible, cars like the T.25 would be allowed to drive in these lanes. The model is being applied to promote the sale and use of electric vehicles across the province.
Do you think electric vehicles should be allowed to drive in HOV lanes even if they are only carrying one passenger or should they be forced to follow the same rules as petrol-fueled vehicles?
HOV lanes are designed to encourage ride sharing in passenger vehicles during peak... more
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A family of musicians in Nashville, TN has jobs and social lives that take them to different parts of the city throughout the day. Instead of owning 5 separate cars, they travel to and from work and band practice on electric scooters. Nashville is located two miles from their suburban home, with easy downtown access via side streets – perfect for electronic scooters. Traveling at a top speed of 35 MPH, the scooters are ideal for an urban location that has reduced speed limits and more traffic congestion.
Do you live in an area that would benefit from an electric scooter?
Be sure to check out current.com/urbanmobility for more news, community discussions and upcoming videos about Urban Mobility.A family of musicians in Nashville, TN has jobs and social lives that take them to... more
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Well, it's not often that we hear about products being ahead of schedule. Telsa CEO Elon Musk presented some forward-looking statements during his company's quarterly earnings call this week, revealing a mid-December time frame for the unveiling of its Model X prototype, which could hit streets as soon as 2014.
There hasn't been any hint as to pricing for the all-electric SUV, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Tesla's X priced comparably to BMW's identically named X model hybrid SUV -- think sub-$100,000, not "affordable." With plans to produce only 15,000 per year beginning in 2013, a high price tag won't be the only thing keeping Tesla from fulfilling the dream of having an electric car in every driveway.
Range has been another obstacle for electric car makers, but with new charging stations popping up on a regular basis, we may be able to make the 165-mile drive from New York City to Albany with slightly less anxiety by the time mid-decade rolls around.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/tesla-model-x-suv-to-launch-in-december-will-be-gliding-quietly/Well, it's not often that we hear about products being ahead of schedule. Telsa... more
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Millions of people in industrialized nations live in suburban and rural areas with limited access to public transportation. Those who have to commute outside of their communities rely on cars to get to and from work, school and shopping. With more than 250 million vehicles on the road in America the need for alternative-fuel cars is becoming increasingly important. Currently, our options are limited when it comes to mass-produced vehicles and how we fuel them. How do our existing options add up?
When talking fuel, the average full-size sedan gets 24.7 miles per gallon (mpg), whereas the average hybrid gets 41. However, the cost difference between the two vehicles doesn’t always even out. Experts now argue that to get your money’s worth you must own a hybrid vehicle between 10 to 15 years to recoup the energy savings cost. Flex-fuel vehicles, on the other hand, run on both standard petrol and a cleaner burning ethanol blend called E85. Flex-fuel vehicles have been produced since the 1980s, however the major barrier toward widespread adoption of these vehicles has been the limited number of fueling stations across the U.S., with less than 3,000 fueling stations nationwide in May 2011. Another disadvantage to the flex-fuel vehicle is its fuel efficiency, getting 25 to 30 percent fewer mpg than a standard-fuel vehicle.
The electric car seems to be the best investment, by far, in terms of energy costs, as it requires no fossil fuel, just plug-in, charge up and drive off. The major caveat to owning one of these cars, though, is exactly what makes them desirable: the battery charging process. Currently, the top electric car designs on the market can only go a maximum distance of 100 miles on a single charge, and reaching a maximum charge takes six hours from your home 220-volt outlet (which is too bad if you live in an apartment or park in the street) or 25 minutes for a “rapid charge” at a charging station which only gets you an 80% charge.
In the Loop City design, the Bjarke Ingles Group incorporate electric car charging stations into the communities. Stations like these set in urban and suburban areas would be beneficial to drivers of electric cars who can leave their vehicles for an extended period of time to charge while shopping, working or eating. But what about those people who work in more rural settings? What is their best option? How would you change the ways we currently address fueling our vehicles?
Millions of people in industrialized nations live in suburban and rural areas with... more
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12 months ago
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12 months ago
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TechVehi.com was at the GumBall3000 in Paris to challenge the Ballers and their gasoline supercars with electric vehicles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5PR-e7s4QsTechVehi.com was at the GumBall3000 in Paris to challenge the Ballers and their... more
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1 year ago
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From May 18th to May 22nd in Berllin Tempelhof, 180 cars displayed, electric vehicles, prototypes, fuel cell vehicles.
Follow the link in the video below for our coverage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWBgG9t3teUFrom May 18th to May 22nd in Berllin Tempelhof, 180 cars displayed, electric vehicles,... more
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1 year ago
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http://www.resourceinvestor.com/News/2010/10/PublishingImages/10-24-10-mhft-NissanLeaf04-11.jpg
ENCINITAS, Calif., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar Solar is walking the talk so to speak when it comes to practical, real-world applications of solar power. Co-founder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Michael Powers recently took delivery of a new 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car that is being powered primarily from electricity generated by his 3.5 kW Stellar Solar residential solar system.
Stellar Solar actually followed in the trailblazing footsteps of one of their customers, Peter and Julie Norby of Carlsbad, California, who have been powering their Mini E electric Mini Cooper for the past year with their Stellar Solar system.
"Given our standing as one of the leading residential solar and commercial solar installers in San Diego County, purchasing the Nissan Leaf and powering it with a Stellar Solar installed system provide great real-world examples of both," said Michael Powers. "Besides that, on a personal cost savings level, I am now driving for around 2 cents per mile (versus 20 cents for a gasoline car) and saving over $2,000 per year on fuel costs alone."http://www.resourceinvestor.com/News/2010/10/PublishingImages/10-24-10-mhft-NissanLeaf0... more
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Video at the link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13416020
With whisper-quiet electric cars set to proliferate, the motor industry is under pressure to give them an artificial noise for safety purposes, but should they sound like traditional petrol vehicles?
It is an unsettling experience watching a car drive around, hearing little more than the whisper of the wind it generates as it glides down the road.
There would have been little time to get out of its way had it gone unseen.
Such a moment is the essence of the debate over how electric and hydrogen fuel cars should sound in the future.
The answer could determine how different cities could sound in 10 or 20 years. The rise of the electric car presents a rare opportunity to tackle the persistent roar of traffic that many city dwellers are used to.
Electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles are inherently quiet. The sound of the tyres on the road is noisier than the engine and this could prove lethal at slow speeds for pedestrians and cyclists.
Motor manufacturers acknowledge there is a problem. Some, like Nissan, are already fitting speakers under the bonnets of these vehicles to emit sounds for the safety of other road users.
Others are planning on doing the same.
And with the UK government predicting 8,600 electric cars will be sold by the end of this year, sound engineers say there is a pressing need to come up with some ground rules as to what sounds to pick.
So why not just stick with the current sound of a conventional combustion engine?
"That would be losing a huge opportunity," says Prof Paul Jennings from Warwick University who leads a project looking into alternative vehicle noises.
"We all know traffic noise can be annoying and the levels are significantly high. We do not want to lose the benefit we could get from using new reduced sounds."
He says: "The challenge is to create sounds that are as safe as possible but also ones that are much more pleasing for the urban environment."
As part of the engineering project, an electric vehicle called Elvin (Electric Vehicle with Interactive Noise), is being driven around the university campus demonstrating a small sample of made-up sounds.
Chief among them are a deep sounding buzz, a high pitched hum and one that sounds like a piece of cardboard stuck in the spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel.
And then there is something that sounds like a 1950s UFO movie.
"It's important that the sound is associated with transport and a lot of how people interpret sound is based on their experiences," says Prof Jennings.
"For electric vehicles and futuristic vehicles a lot of those experiences are from the media, from games and from science fiction films."
There are certain noises that people associate with transport and they alert us that a vehicle is heading in our direction.
Whatever car manufacturers choose will only be effective if it does the same.
But balancing the needs for safety and improving the environment are not the only requirements. Clearly the manufacturers will have a big say in what happens.
If, for example, Ferrari were to ever make an electric car they would want it to sound like a Ferrari does now.
Luxury 'noise'
"Manufacturers know what the right sound is for their product," says Roger Williams, whose company Novisim provides computer simulators to help design car sounds.
"What they are keen on is a sound that matches the image of their vehicle, whether it's a sporty one or a luxury one."
Other road users will want to have their say too. In the next couple of months a group of blind and partially sighted will be invited to Warwick University to give their verdict on what they hear.
The synthetic "engine noises" will be played to them through one of Novisim's computer programmes, which can simulate how a whole town of full of electric cars would sound all at once.
Guide dogs are obviously trained to respond to the noises of vehicles," says Andrea Cooper, a student at the university who has been blind since birth.
"So obviously I think it's incredibly important for the sounds of the engines to reflect traditional engines sounds that we are used to."
The more you delve into the issue the more apparent the complications become.
How loud they should these vehicles be? Do they need to make a noise when they are stopped at the traffic lights? How would hundreds of unmatched vehicle noises sound altogether on our streets?
Researchers at Warwick University intend to make the results of their research available to the EU, which is planning to legislate on electric and hydrogen car sounds sometime in 2011.
The conclusions will determine the noise you hear when you open your window 20 years from now.Video at the link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13416020
With whisper-quiet... more
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1 year ago
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Revealed at Silverstone yesterday, here is Birtish engineering at its best: the Delta E4 Coupé by Delta Motorsport.
Supercar feeling, the electric alter ego of the McLaren F1
Carbon composite structure, 2 versions, a backwheel drive with 240hp (975kg) and a four wheel drive with 480hp (1275kg).
Five prototypes have been built....
Who does not want one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FzbU9GYgUQRevealed at Silverstone yesterday, here is Birtish engineering at its best: the Delta... more
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1 year ago
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