Who Killed the Electric Car?
Stephanie and I watched the documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" I am rather irate after watching it, considering the abandonment of GM products.
A part of me has always been fascinated with alternative fuels, much like space exploration and colonization. I remember reading about the EV1, and thought it looked odd- but it went up to 100 mph which I thought was fascinating out of an electric car. I believe the documentary last night properly discussed everything, and tried to present the situation with the facts and not opinions. I think more of my anger is directed at GM buying the rights to NiMH batteries then that was bought by Chevron. This type of battery is probably the best for use in vehicles today, though I believe bio-degradable Lithium-Ion batteries are the way to go eventually.
I spent a good portion of my attention looking for the independent ZEV makers. There are quite a few, and either they're extremely expensive and fast (Tesla, Fetish) or unrealistic (like the ZAP Zebra, which only goes 25 mph, and has a range of 35 miles). A lot of the companies plan to have something out by 2010... but as the movie said, I believe there's something I could get NOW. I can, but they don't have the range or power of the EV1, Rav4 EV, Ford Think or Ranger EV. The best thing you can get now is the ZENN, which has a top speed of 25 mph, but a range of 80 miles. The cheapest is the Kurrent, which is an overall better deal than the GEM. The Kurrent actually comes with doors, and doesn't look like a glorified Golf-cart.
There were those that do seem rather promising though, that will hopefully beat the Volt in arriving to America. A Nordic ZEV think, is contemplating bringing its car to the U.S. It is capable of freeway speeds, with a range of 80-100 miles. They also have larger cars planned. Pheonix has an SUT and SUV planned. I'm most interested in the Ventura line of cars (three wheels, and you actually lean to make the car turn. It's capable of freeways speeds an a 100 mile range) or some car I can't think of the name right now. It seats two people tandem, and is as fast as a Tesla. However, it's just about as wide as a motorcycle, so you can park in small spots. Smart is also working with Zytek, and possibly Tesla in order to have a Fortwo EV.
From my exploration today I have a few links. I would like to get people to sign a petition Plug-in America has a link to, and it's to help motivate the government and automakers that we want electric ZEV or PHEV cars. I also have a few other links:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/tesla.html
-covers a test drive of the Tesla roadster, and the origins of the company.
http://www.pluginamerica.org/action.shtm
-the petition link
http://www.pluginamerica.org/links.shtm
-a page with several links for helping the ZEV cause, or learning more.
http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/10/27-electric-cars-companies-ready-to-take-over-the-road/
-an article I found describing ZEV that are on sale now or going to be, giving the break down of the ZEV maker and its vehicle's specifications.
A part of me has always been fascinated with alternative fuels, much like space exploration and colonization. I remember reading about the EV1, and thought it looked odd- but it went up to 100 mph which I thought was fascinating out of an electric car. I believe the documentary last night properly discussed everything, and tried to present the situation with the facts and not opinions. I think more of my anger is directed at GM buying the rights to NiMH batteries then that was bought by Chevron. This type of battery is probably the best for use in vehicles today, though I believe bio-degradable Lithium-Ion batteries are the way to go eventually.
I spent a good portion of my attention looking for the independent ZEV makers. There are quite a few, and either they're extremely expensive and fast (Tesla, Fetish) or unrealistic (like the ZAP Zebra, which only goes 25 mph, and has a range of 35 miles). A lot of the companies plan to have something out by 2010... but as the movie said, I believe there's something I could get NOW. I can, but they don't have the range or power of the EV1, Rav4 EV, Ford Think or Ranger EV. The best thing you can get now is the ZENN, which has a top speed of 25 mph, but a range of 80 miles. The cheapest is the Kurrent, which is an overall better deal than the GEM. The Kurrent actually comes with doors, and doesn't look like a glorified Golf-cart.
There were those that do seem rather promising though, that will hopefully beat the Volt in arriving to America. A Nordic ZEV think, is contemplating bringing its car to the U.S. It is capable of freeway speeds, with a range of 80-100 miles. They also have larger cars planned. Pheonix has an SUT and SUV planned. I'm most interested in the Ventura line of cars (three wheels, and you actually lean to make the car turn. It's capable of freeways speeds an a 100 mile range) or some car I can't think of the name right now. It seats two people tandem, and is as fast as a Tesla. However, it's just about as wide as a motorcycle, so you can park in small spots. Smart is also working with Zytek, and possibly Tesla in order to have a Fortwo EV.
From my exploration today I have a few links. I would like to get people to sign a petition Plug-in America has a link to, and it's to help motivate the government and automakers that we want electric ZEV or PHEV cars. I also have a few other links:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/tesla.html
-covers a test drive of the Tesla roadster, and the origins of the company.
http://www.pluginamerica.org/action.shtm
-the petition link
http://www.pluginamerica.org/links.shtm
-a page with several links for helping the ZEV cause, or learning more.
http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/10/27-electric-cars-companies-ready-to-take-over-the-road/
-an article I found describing ZEV that are on sale now or going to be, giving the break down of the ZEV maker and its vehicle's specifications.