September 19, 2006 In a world where the price of oil is trending towards infinity, large companies are quickly seeking alternative energy sources for transportation. Jory Squibb decided he’d build an economical vehicle using conventional technology, and set about creating it from second-hand motorcycle parts. The resultant vehicle, christened MOONBEAM, gets 80-85 mpg around town and under economy run conditions (max 40 mph) delivers 105 mpg. Two scooters for the bits cost US$500, and the entire project took 1000 hours (a year of 20 hour weeks) to complete, with a total of US$2000 costs beyond the initial scooters. Moonbeam has a Variable speed transmission, so there’s no gear shifting (hand controls only). So if Jory can do this, from existing parts, in his garage, in his spare time, why is it that Honda, Toyota et al can't deliver us a 100mpg automobile?..
Nice post about what Currie is doing. I sold Currie electric assist units at Electric Vehicles NW here in Seattle.
One thing I remember, though; Currie's companies start as industry leaders, but quickly stagnate. He started with the EV Warrior, a roller-drive powered behemoth that could barely be lifted at all, let alone driven with a dead pack (or in the rain). Next came the brushless DC refit kit, which was pretty nice . . . but which used the leftover throttle switches from the then-defunct EV Warriors.
Then he alienated all his independant sellers (like EVsNW) by shipping bikes to Sam's Club, which sold them below dealer price.
I do hope he hasn't just slapped his old motors on this CVT and called it progress.
Comments 2
September 19, 2006 In a world where the price of oil is trending towards infinity, large companies are quickly seeking alternative energy sources for transportation. Jory Squibb decided he’d build an economical vehicle using conventional technology, and set about creating it from second-hand motorcycle parts. The resultant vehicle, christened MOONBEAM, gets 80-85 mpg around town and under economy run conditions (max 40 mph) delivers 105 mpg. Two scooters for the bits cost US$500, and the entire project took 1000 hours (a year of 20 hour weeks) to complete, with a total of US$2000 costs beyond the initial scooters. Moonbeam has a Variable speed transmission, so there’s no gear shifting (hand controls only). So if Jory can do this, from existing parts, in his garage, in his spare time, why is it that Honda, Toyota et al can't deliver us a 100mpg automobile?..
Reply
One thing I remember, though; Currie's companies start as industry leaders, but quickly stagnate. He started with the EV Warrior, a roller-drive powered behemoth that could barely be lifted at all, let alone driven with a dead pack (or in the rain). Next came the brushless DC refit kit, which was pretty nice . . . but which used the leftover throttle switches from the then-defunct EV Warriors.
Then he alienated all his independant sellers (like EVsNW) by shipping bikes to Sam's Club, which sold them below dealer price.
I do hope he hasn't just slapped his old motors on this CVT and called it progress.
Reply
Leave a comment