City Buys Electric Conversion From Man They Tried to Sue Posted on January 21st, 2010
After attempting to shut down a man’s business by enforcing outmoded, stupid laws, the City of Santa Monica in California finally gave up, amid public outcry and criticism. The supposedly “green” city was persecuting a man for converting vehicles from gas to electric and having the audacity to not go to them to get “properly licensed” first.
As usual, govenrment did nothing to help and was only in the way of progress. Some day, people will realize that governments are not the answer, they are always either the problem or another roadblock on the way to a solution. Usually both. Here’s video of the EV conversion of the Ford Ranger in question (which Santa Monica purchased from Paul Pearson, the man they were persecuting):
Electric Car Platform Lets You Build Your Own Vehicle Posted on January 20th, 2010
In brief: A company called Trexa wants to offer something totally unique in theautomotive world: a plug-and-play electric car.
Vehicle in the news
Make/Model: EV Concept
Manufacturer: Trexa
The word
Starting with the platform, seen here, Trexa wants to empower car buyers, dealers, and designers to build their own electric vehicle by using plug-and-play parts that require only simple snap-together-like building.
Imagine taking a bare platform, as shown, adding your own electronic steering system, self-designed body work, interior seating and ergonomics, and more all from selected modular parts that you or the car dealer just plug in or snap into place.
How cool is that?
Trexa envisions the system being used for everything from small neighborhood electrics to “highway trains” and even sporting and other specialties.
The platform contains the drive train and all components and is missing only the body and controls. The design concept is capable of 0-60mph is about 8 seconds, a top speed of 100mph, and has a 105 mile range per charge.
And so …
Definitely a very cool idea!
Photo credits: Trexa
Hyundai Blue-Will Concept PHEV a Test Bed of Tech Posted on January 17th, 2010
In brief: Hyundai’s Blue-Will Concept Plug-in Hybrid
was on hand in Detroit, showcasing this test bed of future technology ideas.
Vehicle in the news
Make/Model: Blue-Will Concept
Manufacturer: Hyundai
The word
As Ross prected, 2009 seems to have shaped up to be Hyundai’s big year. The little Korean company rose to prominence during a bad year for most automakers, taking second place as the wold’s highest-selling automaker and debuting some radical concepts that were a definite turn from the company’s usual conservative stance.
The Blue-Will was introduced last year as a concept in Seoul, Hyundai’s home turf. It was considered unusual and compelling, and generated a lot of buzz, but most seemed to see it as strange mainly because it was coming from Hyundai.
The Blue-Will just made another appearance, this time in Detroit at the NAIAS, marking its first appearance in the U.S.
Filled with innovative new ideas, the concept car has roof-mounted solar cells, drive-by-wire steering, touch-screen controls, 40 miles of electric-only driving, and 106mpg in fuel economy. All from a decidedly sporty and muscular-looking coupe.
While its drive train is a dual-mode hybrid similar to the Chevy Volt, the Blue-Will most often runs in charge-sustaining mode (meaning the engine runes purely to send electricity to the motor).
Unlike the Volt, the Blue-Will incorporates an ingenious hot exhaust recapture system utilizing a thermoelectric generator in the exhaust manifold. This allows the vehicle to convert the engine’s heat into electrical energy, greatly increasing the efficiency. This energy is mostly keyed for use in auxiliary systems such as climate controls and the stereo, saving drain on the lithium-polymer batteries.
Many of the technologies tested in the Blue-Will have appeared in other upcoming models for production, such as the 2011 BlueDrive Sonata.
And so …
Definitely the car from Hyundai to watch, the Blue-Will is their future car test bed.
UK Man Tows Fifty Foot Christmas Tree With His G-Wiz Posted on December 30th, 2009
In brief: The tiny G-Wiz towed a fifty foot (50′) Christmas tree on a double-axle trailer 15 miles from the lot to the car owner’s home.
Vehicle in the news
Make/Model: G-Wiz
Manufacturer: REVA
The word
The tiny car hauled the giant tree from the sales lot to the home of Greig Howe of Bournemouth, Dorset in the UK. Howe, who owns the G-Wiz, bought the tree, decorated it, and hauled it back home on a trailer.
The little car towed the 2-axle trailer with relative ease for the fifteen mile trip, amazing even its owner who wasn’t sure it would go the distance.
Once home, the tree was removed from the car, cut into three pieces, and taken inside the house to be arranged so that it appears to be bursting from the windows.
And so …
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The G-Wiz performed beyond the factory specs on this one, I’d wager.
Photo credits: Daily Mail
Coda Gives More Information on Range Anxiety Plans Posted on December 22nd, 2009
In brief: Recognizing that “range anxiety” is one of the biggest social blockades to acceptance of electric cars, Coda Automotive has given more information on how their “low-battery” system works to get drivers home.
Vehicle in the news
Make/Model: Coda EV Sedan
Manufacturer: Coda Automotive
The word
The much-anticipated Coda EV Sedan is slated for release very soon. As part of its marketing efforts to promote the electric car, the company released details on how their low power technology works to help the driver get home or to a plug-in station.
Drivers are well-aware of the “empty light” in their vehicles warning them that they only have a few miles left before running out of gas. Coda, taking a hint from that, has detailed how their low-battery warning systems work in the upcoming sedan.
The flagship vehicle will have a three-stage safety system for ensuring the driver is well aware of the pending loss of juice in their electric car.
The first stage is a warning light and buzz, and limiting acceleration (but not speed) to conserve power.
The second stage buzzes again, retaining the warning light, and lowers the top speed to 60mph.
The third stage drops speeds further to 35mph.
Each stage happens in increments of 5% charge, starting at 15%. So when the battery gets down to 15%, the first stage kicks in. At 10%, the second stage, then at 5% the last stage.
The warnings are designed to give the driver the ability to get out of traffic or off the freeway/highway in order to find a charging station. Each stage can be over-ridden, for safety reasons.
And so …
With 120 miles of range, it’s not likely this will be used much unless drivers are negligent in their overnight recharging.
Photo credits: Clearing the Air (Coda blog)
