Saturday morning, EV RIDRs and Obamamaniacs converged on the Santa Monica Civic Center to advocate for electric vehicles and celebrate President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. The Inaugural (EV) Parade West, led by Plug in America, attracted over 70 electric and hybrid vehicles to zoom the city streets in PEBO’s honor. Four Tesla Roadsters, 40 Toyota RAV-4 EVs, one converted Porsche Speedster, and even one converted EV Hummer H2 (!?) joined the festivities.
(To the New York Times editorial board: I believe these are the folks who will drive Detroit’s fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. That is, once they are actually available.)
Check out some parade photos below the fold.
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Comments
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bryantheresa Posted 5:43 pm
18 Jan 2009
Don't get me wrong, I love electric (I have a 2 wheeler) and it's probably from a long way away (don't get me started on that!) just for the parade; but it certainly points out some issues with today's' electric fleet.
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biodiversivist Posted 1:18 am
19 Jan 2009
Toyota Motor Corporation discontinued production of the RAV4 Electric Vehicle worldwide in the spring of 2003. Therefore, Toyota will no longer take orders for the RAV4 EV.
Toyota remains committed to developing an "Eco Vehicle," one that will have a minimal impact on the environment. Toyota believes that in order to have a positive environmental impact, a large number of consumers must embrace the technology. In order for this to happen, the vehicle must meet the lifestyle needs of, and be affordable to, the mass market. Although a significant marketing effort was undertaken for the RAV4-EV, we only sold about 300 vehicles a year.
In addition to overall customer acceptance, technical issues tied to electric vehicles remain a major hurdle. Industry practice regards batteries to be at the end of their useful life when capacity decreases to 80% of original capacity. A battery's capacity is the amount of charge that it holds, and is commonly measured by the range of the vehicle. It is cost-prohibitive to replace an EV battery. The cost to replace the battery is more than the value of the vehicle.
Although Toyota's electric vehicle sales have proved disappointing, Toyota was able to leverage valuable technology from the development and sales of the RAV4-EV. For example, some of the technology involved in the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system on the next generation Prius came from the RAV4-EV. Toyota was the first company to introduce a hybrid vehicle to the mass market in 1997.
Source: http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/rav4ev/
Had they decided to scrap their lease cars like GM they could have been co-stars in the conspiracy theory ...
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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amazingdrx Posted 1:51 am
19 Jan 2009
A new contract could be issued and fullfilled today at that original weight in plugin hybrid configuration, for a more modern jeep that could run at highway speeds. With a graphite foamed lead/acid battery with a 30 mile plugin range and backup multi-fuel generator.
It would average over 100 mpg. And would need to be built with aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastic, but it could in fact be built affordably. Competitive in price with similar ICE powered vehicles.
And it could be re-filled at gas stations everywhere, no trailer towing needed.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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biodiversivist Posted 3:31 am
19 Jan 2009
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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Sam Wells Posted 10:59 am
19 Jan 2009
But the inauguration, can you believe how much power, energy, and wattage is going into that? I know it's a big deal but gosh, a week or two of throwing fuel and electricity for a party? The mind reels ...
Onward through the fog
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amazingdrx Posted 2:49 pm
19 Jan 2009
They have the theoretical potential to get 4 times the energy density. Even at 2 times the present results, maybe attainable in the EV battery still to be mass produced, that would put the equivalent of one gallon of gas at around 210 pounds.
Enough energy for 40 to 60 miles depending on the weight of the vehicle.
But even with this performance, of the truck battery, a 30 mile range should be no weight problem. Since 23 miles is the average daily trip that's enough to start with.
Still we are waiting, for availability and retail price.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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Delay And Deny Posted 5:19 pm
19 Jan 2009
Every time I read the new technology sections on Google there always seem to be at least 3 articles a day on Tesla.
People are not going to buy Teslas. In fact, any car based on current battery technology will fail. People do not want a car that takes 8 hours to refuel.
All the car companies have given way and will have hydrogen vehicles by 2015...so if you want an 8-track player, by all means, purchase a hybrid. Me? I want an mp3 player...a hydrogen fueled car.
You are now living in the Hansen Economy!
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Bob Wallace Posted 6:54 pm
19 Jan 2009
If you use the optimal - 240v 70amp - then the recharge time is four hours.
If you want to bias your criticism more you could use a 110v 12amp outlet and quote a 40 hour recharge time.
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Waiting for hydrogen cars....
Did you ever see/read 'Waiting for Godot'?
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human power Posted 12:57 pm
20 Jan 2009
I know it isn't sexy to admit that "cool" technologies cannot be rolled out in time to save our hineys, but it is time to face the fact that we were too slow. Come on folks. Real environmentalists don't use cars.
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Bob Wallace Posted 1:50 pm
20 Jan 2009
I would not at all be surprised to see our installation of green grid power move faster than our adoption of PHEVs and BEVs.
As to whether those of us who use cars are not environmentalists, that's your definition.
And to further your definition, might I ask, are you an environmentalist or did you use dirty grid power to make your post?
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Black Wallaby Posted 2:18 pm
20 Jan 2009
"If you use the optimal - 240v 70amp - then the recharge time is four hours."
Need I elaborate?
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Bob Wallace Posted 2:58 pm
20 Jan 2009
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Gar Lipow Posted 3:31 pm
20 Jan 2009
Think of your cell phone. (If you don't have one think of a friend's. ) You don't worry about how long it takes to charge. You just plug it in at night before you go to sleep, or maybe as soon as you get home. That is what people will do with their electric cars. They won't worry about charge time. They will plug them in to their garage or car port or parking space when they get home. What if they park on the street? Then they won't be early adapters of electric cars. Once enough people own electric cars you will start seeing pay2plug meters on the street and either free or pay2plug setups at work. Maybe quick charge or battery changing stations as well.
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Bob Wallace Posted 3:58 pm
20 Jan 2009
Some of the cities and towns in CA are already installing charge points. One of our small towns close to where I live provides a free charge point. Just go by City Hall, sign up and they give you the combination to the lock on the box.
The town eats a few dollars a month but considers it a great investment for the future.
They just rebuilt the aquarium in Golden Gate Park (SF). Charge points were included.
Hawaii has a number of quick charge stations. They've got test vehicles using quick charge batteries such as are used in forklifts.
It's happening.
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Gar Lipow Posted 4:33 pm
20 Jan 2009
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Black Wallaby Posted 4:54 pm
20 Jan 2009
A 240v 70amp outlet is the equivalent of two electric dryer outlets ganged together.
In Oz, standard power outlets are 10 amp on 240 V AC/50 hertz, typical of MOST of the World.
We pride ourselves as being an advanced nation, possessing good technologies.
When you talk of electric dryers, you mean electric cloths dryers?
I have one for emergency use, which I may have used once or twice per year, which is rated at 1930 watts, (or ~8 amps x 240V)
Are you saying that a typical dryer in USA draws 8,400 watts, or 35 amps x 240 V?
I thought your domestic supply was on 110 Volts AC/60 hertz
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Bob Wallace Posted 5:30 pm
20 Jan 2009
Power comes to the house as three wire 240v and is split down to 120 for most uses (lights, refers, computers, etc.).
Don't know what current dryers pull. I'm off the grid, totally 120v, dry on a line and have for 2-3 decades. Last time I owned a dryer was back in the mid-1970s.
All I gave you is what I remember the rated maximum of 240v outlets to be normally.
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A quick look at a generator sizing page states that US dryers can pull up to 5750 watts. That's about 24 amps @ 240v.
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Delay And Deny Posted 6:12 pm
20 Jan 2009
Battery Con Artists can ply their trade on the street. They offer no more than hucksters with Omega knockoffs and 3-card monte dealers.
You are now living in the Hansen Economy!
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