- The EPA and MPG: The wrong debate. “The EPA’s proposed ratings downshift does nothing to require that auto makers increase the fuel efficiency of their cars and trucks. ... The average fuel economy for today’s new cars and trucks is lower than it was 20 years ago.”
- Jim Husted has a new Website. Jim rebuilds DC motors, notably those for EVs.
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- Korean C-Zone electric golf car. Probably not something you’d drive on the links, more of a NEV?
- Vellman electronics kits, here’s their automotive category including the little code lock kit. Sold at parts express and KitsUSA.
- Buying and running your business on wind power. “Or, to put it another way: The purchase – in terms of the environmental benefit in displacing conventional fuels – is equivalent to taking 60,000 cars off the road or planting 90,000 acres of trees.”
- If you have a Mac be sure to check out the very cool drawing app, SketchUp. They have a new plug-in to integrate drawings into Google Earth.
- Electric dune-buggies on steroids, the Ariel Atom. “We’re 50 percent done on (designing) the electric car,” he said. “It will be a blast to drive. It will bring notoriety to the electric field and it fits into our high performance vehicle vision.” Their web site with more pics.
- Mitsubishi’s concept vehicle, the MIEV, makes debut at auto show.
- UQM is developing Motor/Generator Controller for the Air Force. Part of the project is to convert a conventional one-half ton pickup truck to all-electric operation using high power silicon carbide modules.
- Small is big this year at the auto show.
- China to spend billions on alternative energy.
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- The evolution of the engine: Green Machines
- Electricity from trees? I only run my car using Aspen amps!
- American International Auto Show inundated in hybrids. “Owning a hybrid makes owners feel good about themselves,” Esmond said. “It’s the gratification felt with fewer stops at the gas pump and the lower cost for a fill-up. Hybrids are quickly establishing themselves as a critical factor in pride of ownership.”
- EPA proposes new methods for estimating fuel economy. Under the new methods, fuel economy ratings will drop for most vehicles. EPA estimates conventional (non-hybrid) vehicles would drop on average by about 10–20% from today’s labels, while the highway estimates would drop by about 5–15%, depending on the vehicle.
- Subaru’s new B5-TPH Hybrid. The Turbo Parallel Hybrid drivetrain consists of a 10kW electric motor sandwiched between the transmission and turbocharged boxer engine. Also shows a Manganese Lithium-ion Battery.
- This New Car is airing a series of podcasts about hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles. There are two of them up right now: Pros and Cons of Hybrid Vehicles (MP3 file) and Pros and Cons of Alternative-Energy Vehicles.
- John’s CitiCar, “The Citi was the first modern production electric car, conceived in the aftermath of the first arab oil embargo. It was a very basic 2 seater vehicle. 48 volt battery, about 3 hp motor, capable of perhaps 40 mph on a good day. It had decent range and containing a built in charger, required only pulling in the driveway and plugging in an extension cord to “refuel”.”
- Toyota rolls out the new Camry and Camry Hybrid.
- OKA Auto USA sells “gliders.” A glider is a new car without an engine and sometimes without a transmission. In this case a “mini” car from somewhere in Russia. They have a selection of OKA’s including a NEV which you can buy as a kit for $5k (still need to buy motors and so forth)
- Speaking of NEVs (Neighborhood EV) GEM is bringing out a six passenger version
- Wind Power 2005 in Review, Outlook for 2006 and Beyond from Renewable Energy Access
- Why haven’t I been posting more on Eve? I’ve been busy reading this article on procrastination.
- Nice looking Formula EV X-01 with two Zilla controllers and 237volts of NiMH batteries. You can find it racing at the Japan EV Club
- A laptop battery in every garage, the Lithium Economy.
- Metra Electronics’ Electrick Civic. “The company gutted everything about this car and put back in an all-electric and drive-by-wire system, electric steering and brakes, a 7 hp electric motor powered by eight of the company’s Tsunami batteries arranged in serial, 20” DUBs, HP Racing Brakes and serious audio/visual mods. The interior plays host to a removable WiFi tablet-style PC, which controls the audio/visual elements but also monitors the entire vehicle and can even be used to drive the vehicle remotely.”
- About Ultracapacitors. The Honda FCX V3, a fuel cell hybrid, uses a supercapacitor to provide extra power to the drive system when going up grades, during acceleration and when passing.
- The physics of car crashes (PDF)
- Zap Zebra electric car giveaway
- Wimps don’t want NEVs?
- 10% insurance discount for hybrid owners
- Volkswagen introduces the GX3 at the LA Auto Show. Pure affordable performance: Crossover between sports car and motorcycle. [via GCC]
- The business of manufacturing electric vehicles
- Auto execs predict growth in sales of hybrids. All is not rosy, “Without high-margin SUVs and pickups and luxury cars, where will profits be found?” KMPG asked.
- SUVs are not safer than cars for children.
- Chris’s electric motor gallery with a little more info in his blog
- How about a vote for our favorite Electric Drag Racer, White Zombie?
- New Year’s greetings from Toyota
- The Batpack EV power controller prototype