Electric Car director on Daily Show 6

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1. 

   howardgw Posted 12:59 am
   05 Aug 2006

   Who Killed the Electric Car?I love Jon Stewart, but he doesn't know squat about environmental issues. Here we are in the midst of a big crunch on electricity supplies, and he and his guest are talking about plug-in cars (same goes for plug-in hybrids). Can you imagine the impact on the grid when millions of these little metal monsters plugged in to get to the grocery store?
   In our craze to go on doing what we are doing the obvious dots on the energy curves are never connected. Time to stop dreaming and start conserving.
   
   Howard Wilshire

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2. 

   Biodiversivist Posted 2:21 am
   05 Aug 2006

   Good pointsIf we don't find ways to generate electricity without using "more" coal, or more specifically, without spewing as much CO2 as coal, then we are screwed. Most of our CO2 comes from powerplants and most of them are coal. But, if we can reduce the amount of coal used, or even just hold it at present percentages then plug-in electric cars would greatly reduce CO2 emissions and total energy consumed as well. This link shows the numbers.
   I can think of only two ways to get your average Joe to conserve. Raise the price of energy to the point that he has to conserve, or give him technology that uses far less energy and then convince him that he will be envied if he uses it. The only thing that got Americans into small cars in 74 was the high price of gas. But, those high prices kicked off a string of recessions (so said some economists at the time). Recessions suck, especially for those on the bottom.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Help acquire and protect ecological hotspots, give to a conservation organization: http://www.saveourbiodiversity.com

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3. 

   David Roberts Posted 4:43 am
   05 Aug 2006

   Howard,The makers of the movie addressed just that issue in the interview I did with them. We make plenty of power to charge cars, particularly if they are plugged in on off-peak hours.
   Obviously they, like all us enviros, want to shift the electric burden from coal (which currently supplies 51% of the nation's electricity) to wind, solar, cogen, etc. But even with the current electricity balance, electric cars are more efficient in terms of power used and CO2 emissions than gas cars.
   
   www.grist.org

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4. 

   Biodiversivist Posted 5:58 am
   05 Aug 2006

   True enough Dave, butI think his point was that we would eventually run out of reserve capacity and would have to build more power plants to power our cars.
   Which isn't a problem as long as whatever we build produces less CO2 than today's coal plants. If the percentage of coal powered plants goes up, so will the amount of CO2 produced to charge electric cars.
   However, we do have reserve capacity today, and with today's mix of powerplants, electric cars are win-win technology. We do not want to see an increase in the percentage of our power that comes from coal.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Help acquire and protect ecological hotspots, give to a conservation organization: http://www.saveourbiodiversity.com

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5. 

   amazingdrx Posted 1:34 am
   06 Aug 2006

   5k DIY PHEV conversionhttp://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2006/08/new_yor...
   Big electric car news.  NYC comverting 600 hybrids to PHEV.  And a push for a 5k do it yourself conversion kit.
   The auto companies are dragging their feet, but consumers are forcing the issue.
   And with superconducting magnetic energy storage a utility scale reality renewable power to plug into has no problem left except the capital investment.  But this recession may have already drained that capital.  
   It  maybe too late, the econmomy was bushwacked by the big oil folk just in time to doom the planet.  A recession lead by higher inflation (doubling food prices because of climate related crop failure, and soaring energy prices)and higher interest rates burting the housing bubble.
   Don't cry for the exxonmob, they will scoop up bargains with their record profits, even though the recession will limit their profits somewhat in the near future.  Neeehaaaw!
   
   http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

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6. 

   lpw Posted 1:46 pm
   08 Aug 2006

   G.M.'s Electric EV1You may like Jon Stewart but you must remember he is a comedian and the Daily Show is on the "Comedy" channel.
   
   People east of California need to be aware of this technology that General Motors has been hiding since 1996.
   
   I hope after reading this you are filled with disgust every time you see an automobile ad or politicians talking about "alterative fuel" on TV.
   
   This car was completely electric. That's right, no exhaust pipe. Performance was excellent. 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 8 seconds and speeds up to 80 miles per hour on the highway. With modified gearing, it was capable of speeds up to 190 miles per hour.
   
   The EV1 had the lowest wind resistance of any production vehicle in history. As a result, at highway speeds, the only audible noise was often the steady thrum of the tires, with nothing from wind or motors. At lower speeds, and at stoplights, there was no noise at all, save for a slight whine from the single-speed gear reduction unit or the air-conditioning unit.
   
   In 1990, California made a strict pollution law stating that by 1998, cars sold in California must meet Zero Emission Vehicle standards. So, beginning in 1996, GM produced 1117 of the EV1 to be leased only from a few Saturn dealerships in California only.
   
   The California Air Resources Board modified the ZEV mandate in 2001 to allow manufacturers to claim partial ZEV credit for hybrid vehicles
   
   The Bush Administration, General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler then sued the state of California and CARB, alleging the new ZEV rules violated a federal law barring states from regulating fuel economy.
   
   In response, CARB removed the requirement for electric vehicles from the ZEV mandate in 2003. In turn, G.M. canceled the EV1 program soon thereafter. Upon lease expiration, G.M. refused to sell the cars to the leasers. The cars were shipped to the G.M. storage at a facility in Burbank, California.
   
   In late 2003, GM cancelled the EV1 program saying the program wasn't cost efficient. Despite the facts, they refused to sell the EV1's to the wanting  consumers, no advertising program nation wide, unfulfilled waiting lists and positive feedback from the lessees.
   
   In March 2005, the last 78 cars in storage were transferred to the G.M. Desert Proving Grounds at Mesa, Arizona to be crushed, and recycled.
   
   In the 70's our auto manufactures stood by during the gas crunch and let Japan invade the market with economical cars. They began building assembly plants here in the U.S.
   
   Now here we are again and even in worse shape. Auto emissions are taking a heavy toll on Global Warming. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. Devastating weather and 3 digit temperatures are taking their toll in all parts of the world. Death tolls from the heat are on the rise. Even youngsters are dying during school football practice. Oil prices are at record highs causing the consumers outrageous prices at the gas pumps.
   
   Is G.M. waiting for Japan to build a factory here in a non-union state and beat us again? Is G.M. once again going to give in to the oil company lobbyists and let foreign auto manufactures lead the way in this country to fight Global Warming and an alternative automobile fuel and save lives?
   
       The G.M. plant that built the EV1 is now idled and available. The former EV1 workers, many who loved being a part of the clean car program, are all retired, fired or on the jobs bank, and thus available for work at reduced wages. The EV1 machine-dies and parts suppliers can all be revitalized.
   
   The biggest drawback was the necessity of charging stations. But, that problem would be corrected if the technology presently being used in the "Hybrid" for recharging the battery using the braking system were incorporated into the EV1.
   
       Almost 80% of the present day drivers only use their cars to go to or from work and shopping. If G.M. revived the EV1 and sold at prices the average consumers could afford, it is a fact that besides doing a very large part in fighting global warming, it would lower the cost of living.
   
       Imagine, the reduction of emissions if that 80% would be replaced with EV1. In a few short years, the glaciers would stop melting as fast as they are now and the global weather and temperatures would get back to normal. Meaning less weather related disasters.
   
       There would be a lot less demand for oil, thus lowering the cost per barrel and a trickle down effect in the cost to manufactures of plastic products, heating oil, airplane fuel, rubber. Automobile tires would be cheaper, computers, appliances and on and on.
   
      Alternative fuel could still be used, for those automobiles not yet replaced by the EV1, which would reduce emissions even more.
   
       GM is in financial trouble at the present. Imagine how their stocks would go up if they came out with the EV1 again, using the new battery charging technology in with global warming and fuel prices the way they are now. Especially if they built a factory in a non-union state and put a price tag on the car that the average consumer could afford.
   
   G.M. CEO Wagoner admitted to Motor Trend Magazine that his "worst decision" was ceasing production of the EV1.
   
   According to my anonymous G.M. informant, in 5 years G.M. will come out with a "hydrogen" vehicle. They say it is safe, but my question about that is; "Isn't there a bomb with the same name"?
   
   When I asked him how many he could sell if a new version of the EV1 was produced at an affordable price for the average consumer he said, "I could sell thousands!"
   
   If you have any doubts, and you want to have some fun, stop by a G.M. or Saturn dealer east of California. Ask to speak to the owner and ask him/her if the know anything about the EV1.
   With the growing popularity of NASCAR, can you imagine the impact it would have on the public if it was used as a Pace Car in every televised race before it's September release date?

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