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Electric Vehicle Pros & Cons

1586 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 4:19 PM

You are in the Electric Vehicles Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Alternative Fuels, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV


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#1557 of 1586
Re: Zap Zapped [tpe] by plekto
Apr 17, 2008 (3:27 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tpe (Apr 17, 2008 4:35 am)

The air would naturally vent out of the crack, much like a propane tank does.(tank stays intact once the initial hole happens), The underside of the car usually would have some sort of kevlar or similar reinforcement to direct the air away from the passenger area. It's actually very safe and a technology that they have more than adequately researched when they made hydrogen powered vehicles a while back.
 
But MDI really is trying to make this work. They already sell the vehicles in France. They actually have the cars on the road, unlike Zap and the rest. The technology is simple, straightforward, and 100% off the shelf/ready to go.
 
I'd consider them to be more akin to Tesla Motors. Small, but a real company. Of course, their design is far from optimal. That goes to the rotary air engine that guy in Australia made. Why he can't put that in a car I just don't know.
#1558 of 1586
Re: Zap Zapped [tpe] by thaddock
Apr 25, 2008 (5:38 pm)
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Replying to: tpe (Apr 07, 2008 10:43 am)

I have to respond to the comment on CA getting away from coal. California's newest coal plant is being built in Wyoming with the electricity transmitted back to CA. It allows CA to say they are not building new coal plants in state. When the radical greenies prevent green alternatives and force CA to stay on coal, that is just plain stupid. Also, US automobiles represent approximately 18% of the carbon emissions. Why do we not work on the larger portion of the emission problem, the 82 % that we could easily convert to a greener solution. Put all this in the context of China who is building and putting into production a new coal fired electrical plant each month for the foreseeable future. Still want to sign the Kyoto Treaty? When China can see the sun on a clear day, then we will have made progress.
#1559 of 1586
Re: Zap Zapped [thaddock] by gagrice
Apr 25, 2008 (9:11 pm)
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Replying to: thaddock (Apr 25, 2008 5:38 pm)

California's newest coal plant is being built in Wyoming with the electricity transmitted back to CA.
 
Good point. That is just about the epitome of hypocrisy. Don't build that coal fired plant in my back yard. But if you build one we will buy the electricity. We are governed by possibly the worst legislature and governor the USA has ever witnessed. What can we expect when our attorney general is named Moonbeam?
#1560 of 1586
Re: Zap Zapped [thaddock] by tpe
Apr 28, 2008 (10:55 am)
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Replying to: thaddock (Apr 25, 2008 5:38 pm)

Actually CA's mandate is to not purchase electricity from a source that generates more than 800 lbs of carbon dioxide per million BTUs. A coal fired power plant typically emits twice that much. If Wyoming's new coal power plants have been cleaned up enough to meet this standard then they are comparable to a natural gas fired plant.
 
The coal industry is obviously opposed to CA's mandate and has even questioned the legality of it. Saying that it might be a violation of interstate commerce laws.
#1561 of 1586
Does the arguement change? by pf_flyer HOST
Nov 12, 2008 (5:51 pm)
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Now that we've gone up to $4 gas and back down towards $2, how does the arguement for/against electric vehicles change, if at all?
 
(Besides, we've been focused on non-automotive stuff for far too long and we need to get back to talking about the automotive future! )
#1562 of 1586
Re: Does the arguement change? [pf_flyer] by snakeweasel
Nov 12, 2008 (7:51 pm)
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 12, 2008 5:51 pm)

I don't think that it will appear as important right now.
 
If we are smart we will continue pushing for them because gas will go up again. Better to get a head start on the solution than to be caught with our pants down.
#1563 of 1586
press request by kirstie_h HOST
Nov 13, 2008 (3:13 am)
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A reporter would like to speak with consumers who are considering BMW’s electric Mini Cooper lease. If you are interested in this vehicle or currently drive an electric car, please respond to jwahledmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Monday, November 17th.
  
 
Thanks,
Jonathan Wahl
Corporate Communications
Edmunds Inc.
#1564 of 1586
Re: Does the arguement change? [snakeweasel] by pf_flyer HOST
Nov 13, 2008 (4:31 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 12, 2008 7:51 pm)

If we're counting on us being collectively smart, I'm not sure if I'm worried or not
#1565 of 1586
Re: Does the arguement change? [pf_flyer] by snakeweasel
Nov 13, 2008 (5:02 am)
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 13, 2008 4:31 am)

Collectively we are neither smart nor stupid as either side cancels out the other. EV development will continue as there will be people who are worried that $4 gas will be back and to stay in the not to distant future. But it won't be developed as fast if gas stays under $3.
 
My bigger concern is if the current political structure is going to make it far more difficult to generate the electricity in a cost efficient manner to power a large fleet of EV's. The incoming administration has made some comments that would make it nearly impossible to create more electric power plants.
#1566 of 1586
Re: Does the arguement change? [snakeweasel] by gagrice
Nov 13, 2008 (4:52 pm)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 13, 2008 5:02 am)

No new Coal, No Nuclear. Wind is ok, just not in my back yard. Solar not much good for charging vehicles overnight. I think we will have to wait for a little less restrictive government for the EVs to take hold. I do think the $7500 tax credit tossed into the bailout bill will encourage some foreign companies to try and sell what they have to US.
 
PS
Collectively I would say we are dumber than a box of rocks, given the results of the last election.

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