The above image is from freeinsurancequotes.org.  Colorful and convincing as the graphic is, I do have a few issues with the facts presented. 

1. Without some amazing discovery in technology, gas power trucks and machinery will be around for a long time even if 100% of passenger cars go electric.  I’m not buying a new lawnmower until the old gas powered one fails completely or I start raising sheep.

2. 35,000 MW is the current capacity of total U.S. wind power.  How Kansas alone can have 2260000 MW is not explained,  but that’s 64 times the 2009 figure for the country.  10K MW added to the grid per year was a recent figure I found.  (1,300,000 required) – (35,000 current) = 1,265,000 MW needed.  1,265,000 / 10,000 (growth per year) = 126.5 years it will take at current growth levels to reach the energy needs presented in the infographic.  That means a lot of coal or nuclear power plants to generate the electricity.

3.  No mention of solar in the graphic.   I want my car of the future to be covered in solar panels, so that it recharges itself constantly.  When plugged in at home, if I’m not charging the battery, I want the power to go back into the grid.  Throw on a few solar panels onto the roof of my home and I could probably cover my entire car’s energy use.

Fantastic news for those who cringed upon first learning of the combustion engine found in the Volt. Due to go on sale this coming November, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said
it would be “technologically trivial” to switch the Chevy Volt to running on pure electric.

Why this kicks ass!

1. Batteries will get better in the near future, combustion engines will not. Say the proposed all electric Volt gets 60 Miles Per Charge vs the stock 40 Miles Per Charge. You get an immediate gain in distance, with the possibility of upgrading to a new battery pack in a few years to gain even more. Let’s not forget batteries get replaced anyway in electric cars after a few years anyway. 
2. For my driving habits, 40 miles is more than I travel 99% of the time.  If  I were able to extend this to 60 miles, that might cover the other 1% of the longest drives for me.
3. Buying electric is a statement.  Can you endure people telling you “your Chevy Volt isn’t really electric”  for the life of your car?
4. Gas prices are clearly being manipulated.  Are you going to wait for another $2 increase to wake the country up again?  Greedy oil companies and the governments behind them shot themselves in the foot this time.  Let’s rub some salt in it.

Shelby Super Car’s Aero was already the worlds fastest gas powered production car.  As the company behind the Ultimate Aero EV, they also hold the title of the worlds fastest electric powered production car.  Featuring twin motors producing a 1,000 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque enabling, it travels 0 to 60 mph in a snappy 2.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 208 mph.  Tesla who?

If you need to ask how much this car will cost, you probably can’t afford it.  So what is the point?  The point is that this 100% Green supercar becomes a billboard to showcase Shelby’s Green powertrain.  This scalable electric power technology has uses ranging from economy and luxury cars, all the way up to trucks and buses.   Their SSC’s “Charge on the Run^TM” onboard charging system allows for 10 minute full battery recharges on a 220V service. 

As great as this charging system sounds, it’s still a far cry from what was mentioned in their July 2008 press release:

The drive train under development will feature a revolutionary power source allowing for extended time between charging intervals with the possibility of several years between charging.

Other than not driving it during that time period, or having some passive charging system like solar, I can’t imagine what their original plans were.  Mini nuclear reactors?  Still, a another system proposed for electric cars travelling any distance above 40 miles.

The more companies providing competition in the electric vehicle market, the better.  Innovation across the board will propel electric vehicles into the mainstream, particulary in the area of battery and charging technology.  Call me a skeptic, but I don’t put much trust in the car/oil industries producing real alternative products any time soon without being forced into it.  They’ll all have something to display at the autoshows, but good luck actually being able to purchase one at a reasonable price.

This is a great idea for those who rent an apartment and don’t have their own garage or driveway.  Forget the idea of long extension cords.  Coulomb envisions a system where vehicle owners subscribe to a monthly service.  They would receive a key fob allowing them to park at any available meter.  Below is how Coulomb describes a typical user experience:

The subscriber will use a navigation system to find the nearest available charging station. He will park the vehicle next to the Smartlet Charging Station. For 110V charging, the subscriber will swipe a key fob to be authenticated at the station, unlocking the Smartlet access door. After plugging in the cord, the door will lock in a partially open position to secure the cord and begin charging. After charging is complete, the subscriber will scan the key fob again to deactivate the charging station and unlock the access door. The cost of the transaction will be displayed on the charging station. The driver will replace the cord into its original position and can then drive away.

Not everyone who charges their car will need to subscribe.  For example, if you rent an electric vehicle, you could make a one time charge payment using a cell phone or credit card to charge a car.  Some businesses may offer free charging/parking to entice customers.  Employers mighty offer charger parking to their employees as a benefit.  Condominium communities could include ChargePoint Network fees with their monthly dues.  Since the system uses bi-directional communication, you would only be charged for the electricity used.

The question becomes one of standardization.  All electric vehicles will need to use the same 110v/220v recepticle .   Just as there is a choice of unleaded or diesel gasoline, there needs to be electrical standards as well.  What will happen to those who want to park a non-electric car or have their own portable solar charging kit?  Will they be left to fight for the free spots at the mall?

BMW’s experimental electric car, the Mini E, is coming out next year.  500 vehicles will be made available to those living in the New York or Los Angeles area.   At $850 a month, the lease will cover “all required technical service and maintenance”.  The cars must be returned to BMW at the end of the lease, though options to extend will be available.

The Mini E features it’s own regenerative breaking technology.  When you take your foot off the accelerator, the motor reverses and acts like a generator, using the energy to recharge the battery.

Charging is performed using a standard wall outlet, or by a special charger installed in the customer’s garage.  The special charger can complete it’s job in only 2.5 hours. “Only customers with lockable garages or some other secure space in which to charge the car will be eligible to lease the Mini E.”

I really like the ideas presented in this car, even if it’s a 2 seater.  Leasing one for $10,200 a year is a bit much, considering I could buy the gas powered 2008 mini cooper for $18,000.  But for those looking for a temporary electric solution, this car might be perfect.  It looks sporty and fun to drive, just like the rest of the Mini Cooper family.  CNN reports the Mini Cooper to be reveiled at November 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show

1. Due to the current economic situation, Tesla will try to  ”ramp up our production rate, improve Roadster contribution margin and reduce operating expenses”.
2. Elon Musk’s own role in Tesla “will expand from executive chairman and product architect to CEO.”
3. Tesla is ”ramping down and will close our Rochester Hills office near Detroit. Good communication, tightly knit engineering and a common company culture are of paramount importance as Tesla grows.
4. Tesla will reduce activity on detailed production engineering, tooling and commitments to suppliers until our Department of Energy loan guarantee becomes effective.
5. There will be a delay in start of production of the Model S of roughly six months to mid-2011.

Across the internet Tech people have bemoaned the heartless job cuts, always a morale killer for any company.  A “common company culture” smacks of corporate doublespeak to me. 

My opinion is that with the major automobile manufacturers entering the electric car market in the near future, Tesla just can’t compete at that level.  Sure, they can still produce an exotic luxury car, but wouldn’t be able to make an affordable mass produced car in the same price range.  By making tough decisions now, the company will stay out of debt during uncertain times.   Perhaps if they went into selling conversion kits using their advanced technology, those buying Chevy Volts in the near future could opt in for “Tesla Kits” to pimp their ride.  Either way, nobody I know is planning major purchases in the near future, so delaying things 6 month might be a smart move.

Think was originally owned and developed in part by Ford.  In 2006, a group of Norwegian Developers bought Think and put the car into serial production.  With a current output of 5,000 vehicles annually, this is soon expected to double to 10,000 cars in 2009.  Lean manufacturing techniques allow Think to mass produce quality electric vehicles.  With a car that is now 95% recyclable and has zero emissions, Think may indeed be the car for the 21st century.  With industrial giants like GE forming strategic partnerships with Think, the company isn’t about to fold from lack of funds.

Off the shelf, the TH!NK city  features three battery options, two different lithium-based (Li) systems and one sodium battery system.  A unique “Battery pack rental system” answers the question of “what do you do when the batteries stop working?”.  A monthly fee covers maintenance, insurance, and even battery replacement when necessary.  Now that’s peace of mind.  The Think OX is a concept car featuring dual battery compartments, allowing more passenger room and low profile designs for sportier models.

Opinions:  I really like this car.  Obviously I’d have to test drive one to see how it performs during highway conditions, but 60 mph is plenty of speed for my daily travels.  Its safe, relatively cheap, and environmentally sound.  The only question becomes “What else is out there?”.  Since production is carried out in Norway, the exchange rate for this car at the time of writing this article kept the price high.  This could be an issue down the road, if the US government subsidizes US electric cars produced domestically.  So add this to the Chrysler and Chevy cars to seriously consider purchasing.

Scheduled for release in 2010, Chrysler has several electric vehicles planned.  Ranging from the 2 person sports car pictured above to Jeeps and minivans.   Not allowing Chevy to hog the media spotlight, Chrysler revealed their lineup live on CNBC.   Each model offers something uniquely different.  Featuring a 268 hp motor, the Dodge sportcar model will do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds.  Regenerative breaking extends the range up to 200 miles.

The Jeep EV comes in both 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive models.  The first 40 miles are all electric.  Once the batteries reach a certain level, a small gasoline engine kicks in, powering a generator.  This extends the range to 400 miles on 8 gallons of gas.   Regenerative braking and dual voltage charging of the Lithium-ion batteries are additional details that make this car interesting.

Let’s not forget the Chrysler EV Minivan, with seating for 7 people on this front wheel drive model.  It features a top speed of over 100mph, 0-60 in 8.7 seconds, and a range of up to 400 using the same gas powered generator as the Jeep once you travel over 40 miles on batteries only. The minivan also has the same regenerative braking to conserve energy.

Who are these cars for?  Everyone!  But with an unknown sticker price, car buyers will have a wait-and-see approach.  Nobody wants to shell out $50k on a possible lemon.  Then again, suppose a new miracle battery technology was discovered tomorrow.  Swapping batteries on an EV is easier than changing engines on a gas powered model.  I do like how Chrysler applied electric vehicle technology to their entire product line and not just into a single concept car.  For that fact alone I give Chrysler higher marks than Chevy.

Dynasty Electric Car Corporation’s Dynasty IT product line consists of five closely related models.  All are pretty much the same vehicle with only the frame varying.  The sedan pictured above has a starting price of $19,000.  The 2006 IT product line are Low Speed Vehicles (LSV’s).  This means you can only legally drive them on roads with a 35 mph speed limit or less, where they are allowed to go 25 mph maximum.  Originally manufactured in Canada, Dynasty Electric was purchased in April 2008 by a Pakistani auto company. 

What I like about this car is it made wise choices.  Unlike other cars in it’s class, it doesn’t try to be exotic.  Flooded Lead Acid Batteries are cheap in cost, but require regular maintenance, which is nothing more than filling them with distilled water.  You can always upgrade to Sealed Gel Style Batteries if you can’t be bothered with the hassle.  Using quality components, this car is safe and practical.

Take a look at the various styles.  The Sports and Tropic models seem designed for people who wear furry costumes and drive in parades.  The Van is way too ugly.  That leaves the Sedan and the Utility Models.  I think the Utility looks best.  If you had a local business, it would be so cool to pull up with one of these vehicles sporting a custom paint job advertising your company. 

Now, even though I could fit my family of 4 into the Sedan, I have a feeling this car isn’t for me.  Three years ago maybe this car gave you the most bang for your buck.  But now that the major automobile manufacturers are entering the electric car arena, this vehicle seems very old tech.  I can wait until 2010 to make my decision.

Who is this car for?   Someone looking to drive locally at 24 mph or less.  It would make a great pizza delivery vehicle around a college campus.   I picture Mr. Met driving in from the bullpen on one of these to throw out the first ball at the new Shea Stadium.  If you wan’t a safe, practical, low cost, electric car right now, this may be a choice to consider.

Who killed the electric car?  Disappointed fans who expected too much, that’s who.  I don’t care if the first mass produced electric vehicle by an American Car manufacturer looks like a cardboard box on wheels.  Just as long as it encourages the installation of local charging stations and sends a big F.U. message to the oil companies and oil producing nations.  Who knows, maybe in 3 years we will have combination car charge parking lots where you buy coffee, get a haircut, and read the newspaper. (OK, for everyone under age 40, substitute “surf the net” there.)

Negatives:  It’s not completely green!  The 40 mile range makes this car fine for 99% of my driving needs.  However, as the batteries get low, a small gasoline engine kicks in and recharges the batteries.  Since the gas engine never powers the motor, but only recharges the batteries, this car can still be considered electric powered and not a hybrid.  Not to mention the price of this car isn’t released yet.  Seeing how a Tesla costs $100k, what would you pay for a Volt?  For $20k I’d probably buy one tomorrow.  For $30k, I’d have to really think about it and see what else is out there. For the $40k people expect, I probably can’t afford this car yet either.

The positives.  Finally, an electric car for a family of 4!  I like my car to look like a car, not some 3 wheeled space vehicle or some fully enclosed golf cart.  It’s cars like this that make EV’s acceptable in the public’s eye.  The Volt provides plenty of power, but I’d like to know the optimal driving speed to maximize the range.  The interior looks great to me, nice and clean, but a bit tight on the leg room in the picture.  Being able to plug into normal household current shows the egghead engineers finally got it.

Who is this car for?  Practical people that want a mass produced American made vehicle that allows us to become less dependant on the oil companies.  If Congress gave a huge tax incentive, I could see many people buying a car like this.  I know I’m not the only person driving around some old clunker waiting to buy their first electric car.  Now let’s see how the other big automakers respond.

Would you pay $108,000 for half a car?  I mean that both literally and figuratively when referring to Commuter Cars Corporation’s Tango T600.  The physical size of the T600 is only 39 inches wide, 8.5 feet long, and 5 feet high.  It seats two, with one person sitting directly behind the driver.  To give you an idea how small this is, four Tango T600′s could park in one normal parking slot.  Packed into this tiny package are parts from major automobile maker’s, like Mazda Miata Brakes and a Cadillac CTS collapsible steering column.  Seriously now, would you buy 5 Mazda Miatas or one Tango T600 for $108,000?

When you purchase the T600, you don’t even get a finished car.  You get a kit that takes at least a day to put together.  This allows Commuter Cars Corporation to get around having to inspect its finished vehicles.  In my opinion, I wouldn’t pay that much money for an unfinished product.  But if I had that much money, I could also hire a mechanic to build and inspect it for me.   Not that safety is an issue with this car.  The Tango features a steel roll cage that meets or exceeds National Hot Rod Association standards.  With about 1,000 pounds of batteries under you, it’s not about to flip over either. 

So who is likely to buy this car?  A rich commuter who wants to make a statement.  Sure, they could afford a Ferrari, but their concern for the environment led them to the Tango.  Obviously the interior is luxurious, the power and speed abundant, and it looks like pure fun to drive, but why?  Unless you are Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld challenging each other to a race to the supermarket, is this car really for you?

Meet George Jetson!  OK, I know that cartoon’s before your time.  But take my word for it, the Jetson family used to zoom around in flying cars that looked just like this one.  Can you even call this a car?  Technically, it’s an enclosed 3-wheeled electric motorcycle.  Made by Aptera Motors in Carlsbad California, the Aptera comes in two different models, one an all electric version and the other a gas-electric hybrid version.

First the negatives.  It’s a two seater with 3 wheels; no room for the wife and kids.  If I’m going to buy some pricey high speed toy for myself, I’d buy a Harley.   For the sticker price of $27k, I could buy a minivan and gas for 10 years.   I’m also a middle aged man who can’t be seen driving a spaceship around town.  However, chicks seem to dig the Aptera’s looks!  And if you are reading this article, you are already seriously considering leaving your minivan behind and going electric. (Isn’t that what Dylan did?)

Now for the positives.  This car was built from the ground up using the latest safety technology.  Composite shell and airbags exceed the Federal Motor Safety Standard.  Unlike some of the souped up golf carts on this page, the Aptera has power.  With a top speed of over 85 mph, it does 0-60 in under 10 seconds.  Charging takes a brief 2-4 hours.  Range should be about 120 miles, which is excellent.

Who is this car likely to appeal to?  Young, single, wealthy, tech guys.  No doubt about it, this is a luxury alternative energy vehicle.  If you live in California, you should be able to order one now.  The rest of the country will have to wait.

Update: This company is now out of business. See comments for details.

The American made Kurrent is what you would call a “Neighborhood Vehicle” (NV), which means it has four wheels and weighs less than 2500 lbs.  In other words, it’s the fanciest golf cart you will ever drive.  But that distinction comes with advantages.  It uses regular household power, just plug the car into any standard 110 volt outlet.  A full charge will take you 8 hours to complete.   With a sticker price of $9800, it’s a car worth another look.

For my purposes, I have a family of 4 and couldn’t live with a 2 seater.  I also live in New Jersey which is full of lead footed drivers.  35 mph is the speed people attain in their own driveways.  The road I drive daily says 40 mph, but I get tailgated at 55 mph.  Having recently blown a clutch on my Saturn, I know the feeling of having to drive on the shoulder of a highway doing 35 mph as everyone whizzes by you, and I have no plans to reenact that scenario.

So who is this car for?  Someone who never travels on a highway.  If you live alone in a small community and only drive to visit friends, this car might be perfect.  It’s fully enclosed, passed safety tests, and comes with lights and windshield wipers.  For an extra $200 you can get a nice metallic paint job and turn heads as you come whizzing down the street.

Chevy Volt Concept Car Due Out In 2010

I’ve always been fascinated by electric cars. Long before the price of gas went up and all the environmental issues of using oil entered the news, I’ve wanted to own an electric car.  No, I don’t own an electric vehicle yet. Currently I’m puttering around in a ’92 Saturn with the muffler wired on, the engine fan hot-wired to work, and the AM Radio broken. (But FM works fine!) 

Now, I could go out and buy a new car.  In fact, my brother sells cars for a living, so it’s not a matter of money.  I simply don’t want another gas burner.  Looking at what technologies are coming down the road, hydrogen looks like a huge joke.  So do bio-fuels like corn and vegetable oils.  Just a scam to keep the oil companies in business selling “mixtures”.  Compressed air technology looked very interesting, but I have to see it to believe it.  Not to mention it still wants to use gas over a certain speed.

That leaves electric, a technology a century old and proven to work.  I’m hoping to buy my first electric car in a year or two.  On a normal day I drive about 4-20 miles maximum.  Most of the roads are 24-45 mph, with the occasional 55-65 mph highway burst.  So even the current technology should be able to fulfill 90%of my driving needs.  Plenty of companies have announced upcoming models.  I hope to talk with these companies, drive the cars, and talk about any breakthroughs in battery and motor technology.

So come along and test drive The Electric Car Blog.