UC Davis's Institute of Transportation Studies and AAA are looking for 100 households willing to drive their plug-in hybrids. I nominate myself for the sacrifice.
The more batteries we have plugged into the grid, the more renewable energy we'll get on the grid.
I would say I can't wait to buy one of these commercially, but if you read the sad details from Felix at CalCars, you'll see that's exactly what I am going to have to do. It appears Honda is out, Toyota is retreating, and Nissan is talking EVs.
If you think this is most disappointing, then tell them so here. Or here.
Home Economics of the JP Green House, Part 1
Top 25 reasons to give a damn about climate change
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ffletcher Posted 5:31 pm
06 Nov 2007
This is why a smart grid is so necessary. We must coordinate the delivery capability and need for electricity. Storage helps us align that delivery capabilty with the need.
I suspect that there are some economic inefficiencies here. In other words, I think that utility that serves the hybrid plug in vehicle during the peak periods can contribute a positive cash flow to the owner in terms of energy or cash, only problem is I am not sure of the value of such flow. I suspect it is significant.
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felixkramer Posted 12:43 am
07 Nov 2007
Davis and AAA have already received hundreds of inquiries from potential drivers, which shows how strong the interest is. And the CalCars.org page "How to Get a Plug-In Hybrid (which mostly answers "you can't" unless you're in a fleet or a very dedicated Do-It-Yourselfer, gets very high traffic. Stay tuned. (We'll have a longer report and explanation about the Davis program soon at the CalCars-News Archive.
Felix Kramer, Founder, CalCars.org
Felix Kramer
Founder, California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
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Biodiversivist Posted 1:51 am
07 Nov 2007
One idea I have to solve this problem would be standardized power storage modules that can be easily removed from any car and replaced with a rebuilt or new unit while the removed unit is diagnosed, repaired and put back into service like pop bottles. This would take government regulation.
Another idea is to produce a simpler car than that presently being envisioned by manufacturers. They envision a Prius type car, which is already complex and expensive, coupled with a huge battery to give an all electric range. They should consider sticking an electric motor in the trunk of an economy car that can be used for ten mile, 30 MPH errands in cities. These cars would have a conventional engine in front. The driver would have the option of using the electric motor. The batteries could be partially charged by regenerative braking using the kinetic energy imparted to the car by the internal combustion engine.
You would turn on the regular engine when your battery gets discharged. Later in the trip the battery will become partially charged again thanks to regenerative braking and you can opt to turn the regular engine off again. It would not be any more complicated to drive than a car with a five speed manual.
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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