Zero Emission Electric Vehicles

Electric Trikes: Upright and Recumbent and Mobility

2012-01-28T22:30:00.000-05:00

Anyone, with or without mobility difficulties, can use a three wheeled tricycle or 'trike.' The upright trike is stable at low speed and is better used for short range shopping trips or neighborhood errands. The lower the seat height, the lower the center of gravity. Hence the recumbent trike evolved to answer higher speed stability needs. The mobility scooter, usually three wheeled, looks more like a moped than a tricycle and is generally more expensive than an upright trike.

Some European cities encourage the use of bikes and trikes such as Amsterdam, Major Chinese cities swarm with bikes and trikes during 'rush hour.' The usual trike available in the US is made in China and is typical of the Asian design concept. Take the common bike, add a third wheel in the rear, add a large cargo basket, and supplement peddle power with a small wattage electric motor. Keep the cargo capacity high, the price low, the recharge time low and the speed low to match the rate of traffic on a street crowded with thousands of peddled vehicles. Low speed conditions allow for plenty of pedaling exercise and consequent gain in battery range.

Custom Trike

Recumbent trikes are gaining in popularity in the US. They offer more comfort (low, soft, wide seat and peddle angle) and stability due to the lower CG. Where uprights are used for utility purposes, recumbents are more sporty and exercise oriented. Few electric trikes are available, most are custom made to order. Kits are available and can be installed on your recumbent. Some 'builders' specialize in go fast electric recumbents and while appearing to pedal, they often amaze drivers of standard vehicles. We have biked with a friend riding his recumbent who easily disappears from sight within a minute as we labor to keep him in sight. And he hasn't installed his Electric Assist Kit yet! When he does, that electric assist will solve any headwind or hill climbing issues he may encounter.


Senior Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters attain top speeds around 15 mph, and tend to have more power. Some have a second seat, some have anti-wheelie bars, some have speed control governors, some have reverse gear and some are street equipped with mirrors, lights, and additional cargo capacity. Their lower center of gravity, higher power, and lack of pedals make them more desirable for persons with handicap or mobility issues. For example, The EW-66 deluxe mobility scooter by E-wheels has a 500 watt brush less electric motor, reaches speeds to 18 mph and goes 45 miles per charge. This 3 wheeler has a reverse switch, arm rest, large storage basket and can ride two. The EW-66 is equipped with a digital anti-theft alarm and two rear shock absorbers plus front and rear brakes. A nice substitute for the senior who prefers not to go shopping with her Cadillac. Less expensive models are available, ranging in sophistication and price all the way to the (pre-mobility?) three wheeled stand on personal transporters.


Stand On Personal Transporter

No matter what your goal, wear your helmet and ride safe!

Four Wheel Neighborhood Electric Vehicles: Low-low speed vs Low speed?

2012-01-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

Electric Utility Vehicle

Low speed as defined by the NHTSA means the vehicle can do 25 mph max. These vehicles must have headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts and windshields. If a vehicle is capable of only 20 mph max, basically golf cart style vehicles, then I will call these "Low-low speed". Both types of NEV's are found in my neighborhood. Some are in violation, having been 'souped up' but most comply with the law. The 25 mph vehicles are often capable of higher speed, but are legally restricted to zones posted for 35mph or less, and when driven there, a licensed driver must be at the wheel. However, Grandpa is often seen to be the passenger, coaching an 'under age' grandson as junior drives the retiree's golf car around the neighborhood. It is an economical 'second car': cost per mile, initial cost, insurance (usually covered by your Homeowners) and low maintenance being way lower than the traditional second car.

Would you miss the 2 hour wait for a 10 minute oil change? Think about the tune ups, the anti-freeze, the coolant, the drive train and emissions problems and the frequent tire replacements. Now think about cutting all the hassle in half. For US citizens, 80% of all their vehicle trips are less than 10 miles and 50% of the trips in the community are less that 10 MINUTES! Yes, you have been and still are being "Brainwashed." Our Automotive-Petro Complex is very good at conditioning you to think that you need a 350 HP car that gets an amazing 32 miles per gallon highway. But what is the mileage for your common less than 10 mile, less than 10 minute trips? You have to see the logic. NEV's and similar Electric Vehicles are the right choice, economically and environmentally.

The Tipping Point: Some Opportunities

2012-01-13T17:14:00.000-05:00

Tipping Point (Phase Transition) Opportunities.

Emerging Power Opportunity: China has awakened to the dangers of continuing to ignore Global Warming and their part in the process. They have also seen the possible opportunities for technological and commercial growth if they set an example by embracing new energy policies. They have moved strongly on several fronts. China has committed to build 50 new nuclear power plants in the next 10 years. They have developed their solar industry to the extent the price of a solar produced kilowatt hour has dropped from 59 cents to 16 cents. They are implementing viable solutions in the mass transit arena. They have reached a critical tipping point and have recognized it! China is attempting to make the right moves.

Current Opportunity in the US Government: The US is experiencing a critical tipping point. Will the Obama administration recognize the opportunity to re-establish world leadership in the development of renewable energy sources and clean power technologies? Will they empower US science, engineering, and information technology via appropriate stimulus programs to develop the science knowledge necessary to allow us to become a viable partner with China (already strong in motivation, manpower and manufacturing power) to supply the world with cheap and clean power?

Personal Opportunity: Where are you? Have you been educated (brain washed?) to believe you need a 300 horsepower car? Do you believe that your have a right to cheap gas so that you can consume and emit conspicuously? Do you believe that violent movies are entertaining and generally harmless? Do you find yourself answering the cell phone no mater where you are, even on a chair lift or driving an auto? Do you think that eating Third Pounder Burgers at "Faster Food King," a major customer of Monsanto which controls the production of the major GMO seed foods (corn, soy, cotton, and canola) is actually OK for your health? The evidence is out there! But have you taken any responsibility? For your own immediate Health? For your families health? For your carbon footprint? Have you engaged in the "Green" Party, paying lip service to being Green? Remember, "It aint easy being Green!" said Kermit the frog. Or have you accepted some of the pain? Have you educated yourself about Global Warming? Have you attempted to influence your legislators to stimulate Green business growth in the fields of solar, wind, hydrogen, and alternative energy sources? Have you worked to stop construction of new coal fired power plants? Have you traded your clunker for a Prius? Are you planning to acquire an all electric vehicle in the immediate future? Is your golf cart electric? Would you use mass transit if available? Have you switched to compact fluorescent bulbs? Do you carpool? Would you abide by a national speed limit of 55 mph if you knew that would save thousands of tons of CO2 emissions? Would you drive at 55 if it would save 10,000 lives per year? 5000 lives per year? 1000 lives? 1 life?

Links:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/business/worldbusiness/27transit.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2026474_2026675_2069055,00.html

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/top-10-us-cities-for-public-transportation/126

The Tipping Point: Some Examples

2012-01-06T16:50:00.001-05:00

Some examples of Phase Transitions.
Science Example: Consider Water. When the square root of one percent of the water molecules in a container freeze, then the remaining molecules freeze instantaneously.

Social Science Example: When a few thousand meditators attended a convention in Washington DC and practiced their techniques for a few days, the crime rate dropped dramatically for an extended period of time.

Automotive Business Example: General Motors recently reached a critical point in their decision making process. They elected to keep producing SUV's and PU's along with Comfort sized sedans and over powered quick accelerating sporty cars. All of the above had poor mileage while barely meeting federal EPA standards for emissions. We had to bail them out, we the taxpayers. On the other hand, back in the early 90's GM developed an all electric commuter car, good looking and powerful enough to satisfy LA commuters a few of which got to test the "EV !". Suddenly, GM policy changed dramatically and the test vehicles, about 200 of them, were recalled, collected in secure storage areas and eventually hauled away and crushed. What happened to this environmentally forward looking plan which could have gotten the Green Revolution off and running by eventually solving the smog and health problems in LA while setting a strong example for the reduction of CO2 emissions globally? GM apparently sided with the Petro side of the Petro-Automotive-Industrial Complex, placing their man, also head of their Hydrogen Fuel Cell project, in the head position of CARB and killing the project despite the protests of outraged LA citizens. Watch the DVD "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Agricultural Business Example: A group of concerned Biologists working within the Institute for Responsible Technology is conducting a well thought out campaign to stop the Genetic Engineering of new seeds and to remove GMO source foods , Soy, Corn, Cotton, and Canola from the market and from the industrialized farm fields of the US and other countries where Monsanto has coerced governments into promoting GMO seed crops. They have achieved success in some projects, getting one serious health threat removed from the scene, Bovine Growth Hormones (rBGH), and getting a commitment from President Obama to enact legislation to label all foods produced from GMO seed crops. Their goal is to educate enough people to reach a "Tipping Point" or Phase Transition. This actually happened in the EU where a tipping point was reached and GMO's were banned. Watch the DVD "Food, Inc."

Historical Example: For years sound science results related by responsible and concerned scientists warned of Global Warming. As the evidence piled up events like the Kyoto Conference highlighted the seriousness of our situation. Many countries adopted the 'Kyoto Accord'. The US blatantly refused, being a major polluter, with a government controlled by the arrogant, greedy, and stupid. Stupid in the sense of being concerned only for short term profit and willing to ignore or remain ignorant of the long term consequences. The difference between 'ignorance' and 'stupidity' is simple. If one is ignorant, one lacks the knowledge to act correctly, If a person, corporation, or government possesses the knowledge and chooses to ignore it, then they are indeed Stupid. At some time recently, the tipping point was reached, and a phase transition occurred. Citizens worldwide, even in the US, became generally concerned but lacked the means to influence their governments effectively. So the 'Green Party' aspect began. It became fashionable to pay lip service to being green. Now, after Copenhagen, we are moving into a 'Green Revolution' phase and governments and their citizens are going to have to 'bite the bullet'. The party is over. The situation is getting serious but did anything of value come out of Copenhagen?

Links:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/kansas-utility-500-million-dollar-penalty-coal-fired-power-plant-emission-violations.php

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/14/Everything-you-MUST-KNOW-About-Dangerous-Genetically-Modified-Foods.aspx

http://istpp.org/crime_prevention/

http://www.dubrovnik-peace-project.cro.net/sci/maharishi_effect.htm

http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/what_was_the_copenhagen_climate_change_conference_really_about/

Points of Comparison to understand Electric Bikes

2012-01-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

5000 Watts

150 Cubic Cm

Comparison of Electric Mopeds/Bikes and Gas Mopeds/Scooters

1 hp = 746 watts

XM-5000 at 5000 watts: 5000/746 = 6.7 hp     speeds to 60 mph.
XM-3150 at 3100 watts: 3100/746 = 4.2 hp
EW-600 at 600 watts:     600/746 = 0.8 hp
EW-1500 at 300 watts:    300/746 = 0.4 hp

Chinese    300 cc about 13.0 hp = 9700 watts
Chinese    200 cc about   8.6 hp = 6415 watts
California 150 cc about   8.0 hp = 5968 watts speeds to 55 mph.
Chinese     25 cc about 5.375 hp = 4000 watts
Chinese      50 cc about   2.2 hp = 1641 watts.

Note that the Electric XM-5000 (compared to the California gas 150cc) has 1000 lower wattage and 1.3 lower horsepower but a higher top speed. Electric brush less rear hub motors have higher torque and higher efficiency. So comparable electric mopeds are faster and accelerate at a way higher rate.

Lead Acid (LA) or Lithium (Li)?

If an electric vehicle has 4, 5 or 6 batteries then it is a lead acid (LA) battery system. LA batteries are 12 v : 4 batteries is 48 volts.
Lithium systems will be 16 - 3v batteries (48 v), 20 - 3v batteries (60 v) or 24 - 3v batteries (72 v). Battery capacity is in Ah (amp hours). To compare amp hours: Lead acid will be 28, 36, 48 Ah. Lithium will be 40, 60 Ah.

Power Analysis?

Some companies misrepresent power. They quote a 5000 watt motor in the specs but does the system deliver 5000 watts to the motor? If the specs say 60 amps and 60 volts, there is 3600 watt input to the controller. Motors are at most only 85% efficient. So 3600 X .85 = 2880 watts delivered to the motor max! It does not matter that the motor has a 5000 watt capacity if it is only getting 2880 watts.

Chinese bikes are 55 or 60 amps to increase the range. A few bikes have 80 amps. This would be 60v X 80 amps X .85 = 4080 watts delivered. If customers want more range and higher speed while giving up power and acceleration, the designer will lower the amps. A 60 volt bike with 80 amps will be 33% better on acceleration and hill climbing. Use the ratio amps:volts (80/60 = 1.33) to compare systems.

Motor Comparison?
The torque of the motor is related to the diameter of the motor. The larger the motor diameter, the more torque. A 10.66 inch electric motor will have 33% more torque than an 8 inch diameter motor with the same amps and volts. The smaller the diameter of the motor, the faster it will run on the same volts. An 8 inch motor will have 33% more rpm than a 10.66 inch motor with the same amps and volts. But it will also take 33% more amps to have the same torque or hill climbing ability. The smaller the diameter of a motor the more it overheats. It has less mass to absorb the heat and less surface area to get rid of the heat.

Peak Voltage vs Nominal Voltage?
Battery systems have more voltage when newly charged then the system is rated for (nominal). A 60 volt rated bike system really has 72 volts peak. The voltage used for the calculation is peak volts:
5 lead acid (LA) batteries with 46 Ah at 60 volts nominal (72 volts peak) is a 72 x 46 Ah = 3.312 kwh system.
24 lithium batteries (Li) with 40 Ah each at 84 volts peak (72 volts nominal) is 84 x 40 Ah = 3.360 kwh.
24 lithium batteries (Li) with 60 Ah each at 84 volts peak (72 volts nominal) is 84 x 60 Ah = 5.040 kwh.

Lithium Battery Technology Focus

2011-12-31T10:42:00.000-05:00

Lithium battery technology is currently focused on developing improvements in several areas. The quest often involves implementing advances in nanotechnology and micro structures. For example:
* Increasing cycle life and performance (decreasing internal resistance and increasing output power) by changing the composition of the material used in the anode and cathode, along with increasing the effective surface area of the electrodes and changing materials used in the electrolyte.
* Improving capacity by improving the structure to incorporate more active materials.
* Improving the safety of lithium-ion batteries.

We should see big advances in efficiency and power in the near future. In 2006, a group of scientists at MIT announced a process which uses viruses to form nano-sized wires. These can be used to build ultra thin lithium-ion batteries with three times the normal energy density. In 2009 a report in New Scientist claimed that MIT had succeeded in producing the first full virus-based 3-volt lithium-ion battery. Later in 2009, engineers at the University of Dayton Research Institute developed the world's first solid-state, rechargeable lithium air battery which was designed to address the fire and explosion risk of other lithium rechargeable batteries and make way for development of a large size lithium rechargeable for a number of industry applications, including hybrid and electric cars! The Volt is just one (Battery: Propulsion, lithium-ion (16 kWh) Rechargeable Energy Storage).

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have quickly become the most widely utilized battery chemistry in today’s portable electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, and PDAs. Due to high energy density, the lightweight, and the construction flexibility, Li-ion and Li-ion Polymer batteries have replaced nickel rechargeable batteries! All top battery manufacturers have introduced next generation Li-ion cells. Lithium-ion batteries will power the hybrid and electric car revolution. And revolution is not too strong a word.

Hybrid Car Production Approaches Tipping Point!

2011-12-28T10:14:00.000-05:00

The current state of electric car development is a consumer test trial by the auto makers. They will drag their feet, wallowing in their ignorance, greed, and arrogance until the general public shouts 'Enough!' Global warming is a way bigger long range problem than the petro-automotive industry's narrow minded, short term myopic focus on stock returns and their blatant lack of concern for carbon emissions. The Federal government should be giving every buyer of hybrids and electrics a significant 'Tax Credit' until the emissions problem is under control. Consumers need to be enticed to go electric! The major car manufacturers will not give up on their brain washed public (which they created) until they have milked the 'SUV' and 'PU' (pick up) cow dry! Is OPEC the culprit? Nope! Its our own Petro-Automotive Industrial complex!

What's happening in the automotive industry with forward looking companies?
* Mercedes launched its S400 Hybrid sedan in 2010. E-Class, M-Class, and GL-Class will follow.
* Tesla Motors delivered its American-made Roadster, an all-electric sports car and plans to debut its Model S sedan in 2011. The Tesla Roadster accelerates from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, attains speeds of up to 160 mph, and travels over 200 miles on a single charge.
* Nissan retooled a factory in Tennessee to produce 150,000 pure electric cars, called the Leaf. Nissan LEAF - the new car: 360°
* Ford is bringing out the pure electric Transit Connect commercial fleet van and plans to invest $550 million to retool a Michigan truck plant to manufacture a pure electric Focus in 2011.
* Chinese car makers Hafei and Coda plan to bring an electric car to market in California.
* The BMW MINI-E has the nimble handling of its gas cousin, but costs 40% less to operate a month. A test fleet was launched in the US in 2009.


Nissan Leaf

* The Jeep Patriot SUV, Dodge sports car, four-door Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler minivan are supposedly pulling Chrysler into the electric car race.
* The Chevy Volt is in production and available. GM's rebirth as a viable company may depend on the Volt! The Volt is powered by advanced Lithium Ion smart batteries with computer controls for cooling and recharging.

Should OPEC be concerned? Several hybrids will cruise for up to 40 miles without touching a drop of gas. The 40 mile range is no coincidence. It’s the average distance 75% of Americans travel on their daily commute. After 40 miles, an on-board internal combustion engine recharges the batteries. Some are expected to get 200+ mpg in the city and a 600+ mile range on a single tank.

What's happening on the global scene regarding support for the use of Lithium for the production of batteries?
* China plans to jack up the production of refined Lithium for use in batteries 461% by 2011.
* An Australian company agreed to produce 17,000 tons of lithium in China’s Jiangsu province.
* The Obama administration has earmarked $25 billion, an increase of 6,250 times over previous expenditures, to develop refined supplies of this super-green fuel.

Check this link for more detailed information on current advantages and disadvantages of Lithium Ion batteries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery#Advantages_and_disadvantages

Lithium vs NiMH

2011-12-24T09:13:00.000-05:00

When Blackberries and iPods exploded on the scene, demand doubled for lithium carbonate, the refined form of lithium used in batteries. Lithium’s ultra-light weight and volatility make it the perfect fuel for powering small batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, smaller and pack more power than conventional batteries. So they’re perfect for cell phones and laptops and soon will be for large EVs.

EV's come is many sizes.

The hybrid Prius is still using the NiMH battery; the current state of non-lithium battery technology isn't bad. The Prius uses a sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride battery (Ni-MH, for short) with a power output of 28 horsepower (21 Kw) and 201.6V Voltage. There is another smaller auxiliary battery (12 Volts), which powers the Prius computer. The Prius battery is designed to last the life of the car. According to Toyota, this is around 180,000 Miles. The batteries can actually be recycled. A summary of the process can be found on Toyota's website. It should be noted that the Prius traction batteries are under warranty for 8-10 years or 100,000 miles, and so will be replaced for free before then in the case of failure. However, should the battery fail outside this timeline, the estimated cost of traction battery replacement is $3,000. When rapid acceleration is needed, the battery power will "help" the gasoline engine, reducing the consumption of fuel during this period. Our 2011 Model II is getting over 50 miles per gallon. We just love watching the mpg indicator hover between 60 and 100 mpg when running on the interstate at 65 mph! The bottom line is we have reduced our gas expenditure by two thirds and more importantly, our carbon footprint by two thirds!

The Energy Independence and Security Act toughened up fuel efficiency standards to 35 mpg by 2020. Obama stiffened the standards even more, raising fuel economy standards to 39 mpg for cars and 27 mpg for trucks. The deadline was moved up four years to 2016. The new rules guarantee the lithium-ion battery is the only way car makers can meet the new standards. Since a vehicle battery requires 100 times more lithium carbonate than a laptop battery, there is a need to build large-scale manufacturing facilities. Metal Miner reports, "Johnson Controls and Saft of France are building a battery production facility in Michigan supported by $220 million of state aid." The federal government has committed $25 billion via the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to nurture the emerging Lithium Battery industry.

Advantages of Electric Vehicles

2011-12-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

Mobility Control Center


Electric Trike

Electric vehicles usually weigh under 100 lbs and have 2 or 3 wheels. Electric bikes, trikes, and scooters, sit on or stand on, are all LEV's. Most stand up electric scooters are purchased by US consumers for boys ages 8-14. A number of small scooters are purchased by adults for recreation or for short range or indoor transportation. These scooters are such fun that Japan, Germany, Italy, and South America are starting to buy more. Sit down scooters are usually purchased by US retirees. The scooter is used for short distances, or as a mobility extender, not a wheel chair, helping with painful hips and knees or supporting a heavy person. Many versions are allowed on the street and are becoming popular in many countries. Electric bicycles in Japan are usually purchased by middle-aged women. In the US retired couples purchase them. In China adult commuters use them. In Europe retirees and commuters are using EV's in increasing numbers.

Bigger and faster electric moped/scooters and electric moped/motorcycles fall in a category between electric bikes and gas-powered motor-scooters. Motor-scooters with a top speed of 30 mph qualify in most states as a "moped". Electric motorcycles currently don't offer the range of gas-powered cycles, but can offer far better acceleration and way less maintenance.

Things to consider:
- An e-bike is still a bike, the better the fit, the more you pedal, the longer your range.
- Itemize your needs: speed, range, wind and grade considerations.
- Pay a little more for the right product and cry only once!
- Quality, support, communication and warranty are great indicators.

So why buy an electric bike?
- You save money, meet new people, and slow climate change.
- You enjoy riding a bike except for hills, headwinds, and starting from a stop.
- You prefer your errands to be easy, slow paced and scenic.
- You look for extra chances to exercise.
- You want convenient transportation, your own traffic lane, parking spots and shortcuts.
- You dislike noise, smell, starting problems and special laws.
- You deserve more fun and freedom in your life.

Electric scooters, bicycles, bikes, trikes, mopeds, motorcycles, electric mobility scooters and even electric ride on toys have major advantages over similar gas-powered vehicles:
- Electric scooters are allowed on public transit (bus/train/plane); gas-powered scooters are not.
- Electric scooters are allowed inside public buildings; gas-powered scooters are prohibited.
- Noise and air pollution of gas-powered scooters is eliminated.
- The simplicity of an electric motor requires less maintenance.
- An electric motor's high torque provides a quick start and hill-climbing ferocity.
- Not a toy, electric vehicles have long lives for recreation and transportation.

EV Types and Speed Comparisons

2011-12-20T16:20:00.000-05:00


Unfolded Electric Bicycle

Folded Electric Bicycle

EVs range in size from folding electric scooters that fit under a bus seat, up to cars using the highway. Most EVs offer transportation for one person and some cargo at speeds and costs that are moderate. Half of our errands are less than 10 miles, in the range of an EV.

You can acquire your EV for less than $1000. Enjoy the advantages of a car without the burdens. Replace your extra car with an e-bike or scooter and use the savings to rent a car when you need one. Enjoy the fun and freedom of a vehicle that goes almost anywhere, even in the grocery store.

Clean, efficient vehicles save money and time while helping the environment and improving our quality of life. EVs are simply fun, brighten our day and the world. Spread the word. Relatives, friends and neighbors who start using EV's help set the right example.

An EV will pay for itself in uses and benefits and promote a clean, healthy, and sustainable future.
When getting an electric vehicle, look for long range, reasonable speed, quality and a fair price.

Typical top speeds are:
    Electric Scooters: 10 - 15 mph
    Electric Bicycles: 12 - 20 mph
    Electric Adult Tricycles: 10 mph
    Electric Recumbents: 20 - 35 mph
    Electric Mobility Scooters: 2 - 15 mph
    Electric Mopeds: 20 - 55 mph
    Electric Motorcycles: 60 - 180 mph
    Personal Rapid Transit, PRTs: 20 - 100 mph
    Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, NEVs: 25 mph
    Commute One Person Cars: 40 - 70mph
    Power-Assist Wheelchairs: 7 mph
    Electric Go-Karts and Dune Buggies: 5 - 25 mph
    Utility/Cargo Vehicles: 10 - 40 mph

Electric Vehicle Information: Some Questions...

2011-12-10T16:22:00.001-05:00

Scooters keep us young!

Why buy an EV?

- How many family errands are within 5 miles?
- How many over the age of 15 live at home?
- Do you need more exercise?
- Do you need to do more for your environment?
- Do you own a bicycle?
- Do you participate or volunteer locally?
- Do you want a simpler lifestyle?
- Is saving money on transportation important?
- Do you set an example and buy sustainable?
- Are you concerned about rising gas prices?
- Does traffic congestion cause you stress?
- How far do you commute?
- Do seniors without driving licenses live with you?
- Should you replace one car with an electric vehicle?

Here are some practical answers to the above very important questions:

- Trips up to one mile are quicker and easier on an electric bike especially with multiple stops.
- More people means more trips; many are practical on an electric bicycle or mobility scooter.
- People find they ride more and get more exercise when they have an electric assist.
- Like the bike you own? Upgrade it with an electric power-assist kit.
- Community involvement means local trips, easy on an electric scooter, bike or moped.
- An electric bike is easy to use, fix, pay for and is clean, quiet, eco-friendly transportation.
- Charging an EV costs one cent for two miles of travel & maintenance is much less than a car.
- Riding an EV demonstrates their practicality. Investing in one helps slow down global warming.
- Electric scooters, bicycles, trikes and mopeds give you control over fuel cost and availability.
- Beat the system: enjoy nature, ease traffic congestion and glide past traffic snarls.
- Commute by EV for one year and save enough money (fuel, maintenance) to pay for an assist kit.
- If unable to drive, the electric scooter, bike, trike, mobility scooter or moped is a great option.
- Drop one car from your fleet and save enough on gas, insurance, registration and repairs to pay for an electric vehicle in one year.

The Energy Grid - Smart Grid

2010-09-27T14:38:00.000-04:00

The Zero Emission Electric Moped
Al Gore has pointed out that the current low cost or our "dumb" grid energy does not reflect the true global cost. Our electrons have come from coal, gas, and oil generators whose pollutants have caused asthma, acid rain, smog, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, petro-dictatorships who sponsor terrorism, and global warming.

We need and want clean energy, cheap and reliable, from NON-CO2 sources!! 40% of US emissions come from the production of electricity used in buildings. 30% of US emissions are from transportation. Electrification via cleanly produced electrons for transportation and buildings would be a 70% step in the right direction. For transportation we should all be using zero emission electric vehicles! And we should be vehicle-pooling as well.

You can take your share of that 70% responsibility by learning about zero emission Electric Moped Mopooling!! That's SMART! The reduction of our carbon footprint requires changing our focus from pollution and consumption to conservation and energy efficiency. We need a SMART energy grid. Smart national coordination of load demands, smart black boxes in our buildings, and smartly designed transportation systems and vehicles. Watch the video about the "Production Chevy Volt in Motion"!

The Energy Grid - Dumb Grid

2010-09-24T10:32:00.001-04:00

Electric Moped: Zero Emission!
A California Institute of Technology chemist, Nate Lewis, knows the control limit and target date for world emissions. He notes that we used 13 Trillion watts of electricity in 2000 and that usage will double to 26 Trillion watts by 2050! We will be doubling our use of our dumb grid but can't afford to allow the doubling of the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. We badly need a Smart Grid! We can help by turning our Dumb commute into a Smart zero emission vehicle commute. Get smart by studying the miles per charge, speed, comfort, and utilitarian design of a zero emission modern Electric Moped! Grid energy today is one sixth what gasoline would cost. That's Smart!

The problem is how to avoid the doubling of CO2 while allowing India, China and others to develop while during the same time interval, we must globally reduce the worlds CO2 emissions by 80 %, before 2050! Our record is not good. We managed to triple emissions between 2000 and 2006. Friedman states that we would have to build 13000 new nuclear plants, about one daily, before 2050, just to maintain our current rate of economic growth. Nuclear is not the answer.

The current Dumb energy grid in the US is a collection of monopolies, locally sized, and regulated state by state. There is little integration regionally, pricing systems are prehistoric, and there is NO communication between an individual, his home, or his transportation with that grid. That's just the way our currently Dumb grid 'happened' to evolve. In similar fashion, you evolved in your transportation needs. As you grew up, you were conditioned to think that the noise, smoke, acceleration and speed of a car was fun, slick and necessary. Our own 'dumbness' supports the Dumb grid system. Think again! We all need a zero emission electric vehicle! Learn about them now! Watch the Chevy Volt Unveiling video!!

A Green Global Systemic Revolution! Whats needed - Part 2

2010-09-16T19:56:00.001-04:00

A Zero Emission Electric Bike of proven design.
What does the required huge global energy commitment look like? Socolow and Pacala say that beginning now, the world needs to implement 8 or more of the 15 strategies outlined below. Which "easy" eight would you choose? One of my choices would be to increase the fuel efficiency of my vehicles. Consider the miles per charge attainable by some of the available zero emission Electric Motor Bikes.

Increase the fuel efficiency of 2 billion cars to 60 miles per gallon.
Limit the average yearly mileage of cars at 30 mpg to 5000 miles.
Drive 2 billion cars on ethanol. This requires one-sixth of the world's cropland.
Multiply wind power by 80 to make Hydrogen for clean cars.
Multiply wind power by 40 to replace all coal-fired power.
Multiply solar power by 700 to replace all coal-fired power.
Triple global nuclear capacity to replace coal based electricity.
Increase the efficiency of 1600 large coal burning plants by 20%.
Replace 1400 large coal burning plants with natural gas generated power.
Install carbon capture-store technology at 800 large coal burning plants.
Install carbon capture-store technology at 180 coal gasification plants.
Build carbon capture-store coal plants to produce hydrogen for 1.5 billion cars.
Stop all cutting and burning of forests.
Adopt world wide conservation tillage to cut CO2 emission from soil.
Cut use of electricity by 25 % and carbon emissions by 25%.

We won't have much influence on the trillions our government spends unless we set the right example. One way is to use zero emission electric vehicles. For us, the problem is cost effectiveness. The Grid energy cost for a zero emission electric vehicle is about 1/6 the cost of gasoline. You can verify that statistic via the engineers discussion in the video of a Chevrolet Volt Test Ride!

A Green Global Systemic Revolution! Whats needed - Part 1

2010-09-04T21:08:00.000-04:00

The Carbon Mitigation Initiative consortium is led by two Princeton University professors, Socolow and Pacala. They identify the LIMIT of acceptable Carbon Dioxide emission in our atmosphere. As this LIMIT is approached, climate change "monsters" will endanger our species. We must not allow the concentration of CO2 to reach a level which is double the level it was prior to the industrial revolution.

Green capitol investing must be in the Trillions to avoid this doubling of the CO2 concentration. Thus the Carbon Mitigation Initiative has given us a target to attain. Avoid the doubling of CO2 by the year 2050. That is, STOP the emission of some 200,000,000,000 (billion) tons of carbon! We should support any government initiatives to build Zero Emission Electric Vehicles. Recall that we (as taxpayers) now own a big piece of GM! Check out this video describing an interview with the CEO for the Chevrolet Volt !

The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change agrees with these facts. As developing (and developed) countries need to grow, we must avoid getting even close to the doubling of CO2 emissions before 2050. But what can we do as individuals? Donate the trillion dollars we have in our collective savings?

Seriously, lets start at a reasonable level by switching over to zero emission electric vehicles now. Do you commute? Do you need to get around your campus or your work area quickly and efficiently? Check out the advantages of a Zero Emission Electric Motor Bike!

Green 'Party' versus Green 'Revolution': Phase 2

2010-08-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

Moving beyond looking green, acting green, dressing green, and talking green will require more than increased consumption of green goods. All those easy, cost-effective, ecologically efficient measures we should embrace will only slow the growth of environmental damage.

Uncoordinated individual action, while helpful as it raises public awareness, won't slow global warming. All the good things you do, help establish a good example: recycle, compost, use low energy light bulbs, wrap the hot water heater and turn it off when you leave on vacation, sheath the attic with a radiant blocker and commuting with a zero emission Electric Vehicle (EV). Study a few of the benefits you may not have thought of by reading the "Testimonials" at ScootersCodeGreen.com.

So, what does a true Green Revolution actually look like? What are the benchmarks that we must meet to effectively revolutionize a bad system? What does a Systemic Revolution look like? Friedman in his book "Hot, Flat and Crowded" says, "If we can pull this off, it will be the biggest single peacetime project humankind will have ever undertaken." Take another step now. Ask yourself this: if the Chevrolet Volt gets 230 miles per gallon what is the true mpg for a zero emission electric motor scooter like the X-treme X-600??

Green 'Party' versus Green 'Revolution': Phase 1

2010-08-18T07:31:00.000-04:00

Thomas L. Friedman (Hot, Flat, and Crowded) says we are having a Green 'Party'. But, what is really needed is a Green 'Revolution' ! The politics of re-election require a candidate to support clean fuels, cutting dependence on foreign oil, and a willingness to combat climate change. It's "easy" to support these concepts.

It was "easy" for GM to put yellow gas caps on their flex-fuel cars to draw attention to their (new?) ethanol-gas burners. This is the same corporation that killed (crushed actually) their very successful and about to become very popular EV-1 as it was poised to solve LA's smog and lung disease problems. (1996-2002 R.I.P.)

It is easy for coal companies to talk about sequestration of CO2 while not doing it. Even Exon Mobil says it's getting green. Just look at their recent profit history. We should all visit our local Exon Mobil station and ask where the Plug-In facility is to charge our EV. You will make a big hit if you are sitting on your new XM-5000Li as you ask for their 110 volt outlet station.

It's really good news that people are thinking about cleaner electrons and energy productivity while adopting an ethic of conservation. But, these are all aspects of a "Party !", lots of green buzz, everyone is a winner, no need to give up anything, it's easy to be green. We must move beyond making symbolic gestures and admit we have a serious huge global energy-climate problem. The Party is over!! Support GM's development of the coming Chevy Volt!!

Come ON America, Lets Go Electric Now!

2010-08-17T07:41:00.000-04:00

Plug-in-Hybrids (PH's), all Electric Vehicles (EV's), and PHEV's are all available now or in 2011. If enough Americans set the right example, we can lead the rest of the world in avoiding the doubling of CO2 emissions before that target date of 2050. We cannot risk dawdling for the next 40 years or even a small part of that because the exploding economies of India and China need the right example to follow starting now. That includes US state and federal legislators especially! Our 'leaders' should be promoting the use of zero emission electric vehicles powered by clean energy sources here and abroad.

Lack of enlightened leadership regarding incentives and legislation to control emissions has allowed the petroleum-automotive industrial complex to drag their feet. They have continued to promote gas hog SUV's and Pick Ups (PU's) at the expense of our future. They have been purposely slow to develop PH's, EV;s and PHEV's, holding on to inefficient technologies to appease the greed of the petroleum companies, while the EV technology has existed since the time of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. The US has actually increased it's emissions rate since the Kyoto Conference. Consumers are ready. Look at the success of the Prius and Element. While they are not zero emission (all) electric vehicles, they are a big step in the right direction. Forty percent of consumers polled recently say they will go electric in the near future.

An EV puts out zero emissions locally but they are recharged from our 'Dumb' grid. Half of our available power STILL comes from DIRTY coal. Despite that EV's represent a 30% decrease in emissions of CO2 and polluting particles. As the grid becomes smarter and supplies all of our energy from 100% renewable sources, EV's will realize their potential of 100% efficiency, true zero emissions. The near future is cleaner and brighter and global warming can be stopped.

PHEV's like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight get from 40 to 60 mpg. We can trade up now and double our mileage while cutting the cost by half and cutting our emissions to zero locally. Can you imagine paying half what you do now for gasoline? If you use half as much gasoline you have cut your car's carbon footprint by 50%! In addition you will be cutting your output by 30% more in the bigger dumb grid picture, When the grid is fully based on clean renewable sources, you will have true ZERO emissions. What are we waiting for? You can, right now, cut your footprint by 100% by using an EV for short trips. Consider commuting and shopping with a zero emission Electric moped, electric motor bike, or electric motor scooter. Please start setting the right example today?

Come ON America. What Are We Waiting For?

2010-08-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

Smart grid technology is coming but we already have enough power in the grid to switch to EV's and PHEV's. Since they could be charged during off peak hours, we could charge over 70% of our existing fleet, assuming we could convert the fleet to zero emission electric vehicles overnight! Renewable energy from wind and solar could fill the gap. Smart grid technology will allow us to plug in while at work where our EV battery could actually supply energy to the grid during peak needs, while allowing solar roof sources to recharge it for the commute home. During evening hours, our batteries could supplement home needs, recharging late at night for the morning drive.

Most of the new PHEV's are extended range vehicles, designed to achieve over 100 miles per charge. After that the backup gasoline engine will help power the vehicle. That all electric range is good enough to get 80% of America's commuters to work, and back! The Prius and Insight are getting 40 to 60 mpg now. The Chevrolet Volt is expected to get 230 mpg. Yes, TWO HUNDRED THIRTY miles per gallon! What does that do for your gas budget? And the Volt will go 40 miles on a charge alone before the gas engine has to assist. Electric golf carts, electric mopeds, electric motor bikes and electric motor scooters have been around for some time. People who use them enjoy an expense of about 3 cents per mile versus 13 cents per mile for a gas vehicle, and that is at current gas prices.

Ford, Mitsubishi, and Toyota plan on zero emission all electric vehicles to hit the production line by 2011. But what is available in 2010? Chrysler's General Electric Motor division has produced the all electric GEM E4. The Nissan Leaf expects to get 100 miles per charge and Nissan plans an extensive expansion of charging stations nationally to accommodate their projected sales! The Coda Sedan is all electric and will also go 100 miles per charge. Click on the link below for more information on the Coda. So, "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!" Start commuting with a zero emission electric vehicle now, or, trade up to a Leaf, Volt or Coda in 2011, or, switch to mass transit tomorrow!

Setting an Example for Code Green...Part 2

2010-08-13T06:45:00.000-04:00

Friedman coins a term, "Americum". He says that with our recent bad examples of out-of-control emissions policies and the greed driven non-leadership of the automotive and petroleum industries, we have motivated developing countries such as India and China to follow our erroneous path. They have been shown by us that it is acceptable to get low mileage, produce a huge quantity of Carbon Dioxide and to release it into the world atmosphere. We have helped create "Americums" all over the world. The rate of population and economic growth in China and India combined with the "Americum" culture is potentially disastrous.

So what is the Dream Car of Choice in China? Some say its GM's Buick! How did China's growing middle class come to that dream state? Could it have been our ad campaigns, our movies, our conspicuous consumption, our own greed for bigger, faster, more powerful autos? Have we, with our examples, led them to fall into an "Americum" cultural attitude that its ok to produce a huge carbon footprint? You bet we have! How did YOU acquire the beliefs and attitudes YOU have about transportation? The answer is that you and I grew up in this original "Americum" culture. You can take a leadership role for change. We should all be using zero emission electric vehicles for our commute! Click on the image of a zero emission electric motor bike to learn about some of the benefits of electric transportation.

Lets try to get outside the cultural box we are all in. Millions of scooter riders in cities like Rome have maintained their 'individuality' and the right to experience the 'joy of the open road' by getting away from the Detroit model. Are those commuters in LA really experiencing 'joy' and 'individuality?' The scooter riders of Europe and Asia need to demand electricity in convenient locations (charge up while you work) and at affordable prices (without using more coal fired sources)! Will we, as Lee Iacocca asked, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way?"

Here is a video of a zero emission electric moped in action. This should be YOU!

Setting an Example for Code Green...Part 1

2010-08-12T08:40:00.001-04:00

"Hot, Flat, and Crowded" is what our world is quickly becoming. In his recent best seller, Thomas Friedman discusses our world leadership role, how it has changed, and how we could regain the respect we once had. He describes how we have set a bad example, especially in the arena of petroleum based power production. In particular, we have been agonizingly slow to reduce our rate of CO2 emissions. We definitely did not take a leadership role at the Kyoto Conference.

A change of mindset at the state and federal level can be accelerated if we as individuals change our consumption attitudes. If you and I set a better example by reducing our personal CO2 emissions, and, share our new understanding of things to do to take a proactive position on global warming, we can make a positive difference. It was just this kind of grass roots leadership for change that earned the respect of the world in times past. We need to regain that respect by setting the right example starting now! See how to begin, even in a small way, by clicking on the image of the gal in the garage. Put a zero emission electric motor scooter in your garage today!

Indeed, we need to undo the harm we have done. We need the major car companies to develop affordable Electric Vehicles (EV's) and the relevant support structure that goes with them. An easily accessible alternate fuel, electricity, needs to be available at every fueling station in the very near future. What can we do while the car industry stalls with the hydrogen fuel cell ploy and SUV hybrids in an attempt to delay the switch to EV's so as to maintain the unbelievable profits of the petroleum industry? Replace that second gas guzzler with a zero emission electric vehicle today! Plug in to a zero emission, ecologically friendly electric moped, electric motor bike, or electric motor scooter and start setting the right kind of example for the world. It really is 'cool' to go 'Code Green!'

Take a look at the Electric Vehicle Ford might make available ... sometime.

Code Green NOW! Part 2

2010-08-11T22:11:00.003-04:00

Thomas Friedman, in his best seller "Hot, Flat and Crowded" notes that the world lives in fear of terrorism, reacting and responding to useless fear mongering such as 'Code Orange' warnings. Living in fear and reacting to fear stimuli tends to manifest the very things we don't want. Living pro-actively is the answer. We need to challenge our government at all levels to take down the react-to-threats flags, orange and red etc, and to put up a large green flag signifying Code Green! We all need to get proactive right now!

Start by supplementing your use of petrol-vehicles with a zero emission electric vehicle or low emission hybrid. Do your homework! Then get a zero emission electric moped, or a zero emission electric motor bike, or a zero emission electric motor scooter and start learning how good they are. How quickly do they recharge, how powerful are they, how far do they go on a charge and how fast, how easily maintained are they? These are things we need to learn in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Click on the image above to see her recommendation on a 'beautiful ride.' Be proactive now!

Need motivation? Watch this electric cycle drag race against traditional gas powered bikes!

Code Green NOW! Part 1

2010-08-10T21:55:00.002-04:00

Thomas Friedman, four time Pulitzer Prize winner, emphasizes an important fact in his best seller "Hot, Flat and Crowded." Global warming is accelerating! The Arctic ice grows thinner each season. If Polar Bears are in trouble, so are we!

The "climate weirding" we are already experiencing is the result of each individual human being's carbon footprint. If each of us continues to be an energy hog we have no one else to blame when the Arctic Ocean melts and the frozen tundra quickly follows. That will release huge amounts of methane into our atmosphere. Unless we all reduce our use of petroleum products, warming will continue. Click on the image above to see her opinion on what to ride in order to start reducing your carbon footprint!

Will switching to EV's (electric vehicles) help? Absolutely! Start with your toys. Trade in your gas powered golf cart, gas motorcycle, gas moped, gas motor bike or gas motor scooter for a zero emission electric vehicle! Learn how simple it is to just 'plug in!' Many web based retailers offer an excellent high quality zero emission electric moped, zero emission electric motor bike or zero emission electric motor scooter at a reasonable price. Technology is constantly improving and a new wave of EV is being developed from your neighbor's garage all the way 'up' to Volvo's R and D division.

Check out these video links and see whats going on in the garage next door and also with high quality auto makers such as Volvo !!

Welcome to the Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Blog! Congratulations on your open mind and willingness to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint!

2010-08-09T15:30:00.000-04:00

Learn more about Electric Mopeds!

In this blog we will feature articles and adds which will educate you to opportunities for lowering YOUR emissions with voluntary changes we should all be making. For example, did you know that zero emission electric vehicles are inexpensive, easy to store, easy to recharge and great for shopping and commuting? Consider making one small change right now in the way you make short trips to shop. Instead of using the family car, van, or truck for short trips and spending $3.00 and up for a gallon of petroleum and leaving a Large Carbon Footprint, consider a zero emission electric vehicle. There is a zero emission electric moped or zero emission electric bike or zero emission electric scooter that is just right for you. Take the time now to learn how small changes you can make would help reduce global warming and climate chaos.