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April 2009
The Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association (LVEVA) will meet on the third Saturday of each month during 2009. Meetings will be held at the Clark County Library on 1401 E. Flamingo Road from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM. Members will be displaying their own electric cars and answering questions before and after each meeting.
Calendar
April 18 Monthly Meeting
April 22 UNLV Earth Day Exhibition
May 16 Monthly Meeting
June 20 Monthly Meeting
July 4 Boulder City Damboree
Summerlin Freedom Parade
July 18 Monthly Meeting
August 15 Monthly Meeting
September 19 Monthly Meeting
October 17 Monthly Meeting
November 21 Monthly Meeting
December 5 Santa’s Electric Night Parade (Boulder City)
December 19 Monthly Meeting
LVEVA Board of Directors:
Richard Furniss, President
Lloyd Reece, Vice President
Bill Kuehl, Secretary/Treasurer
Al Sawyer, Jan Himber , Jon Hallquist, Dan Trujillo
Newsletter Editors and Contributors:
Richard Furniss, Lloyd Reece, Bill Kuehl, Al Sawyer, P.E.,
Jan Himber, Brent Singleton, Kent Singleton, Stan Hanel
WATTS HAPPENING
is published monthly by the
Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association,
a chapter of the Electric Auto Association
Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association web site
http://www.lveva.org
Electric Auto Association web site
http://www.eaaev.org
Electric Auto Association
Membership Renewals
323 Los Altos Drive
Aptos, CA 95003-5248
Current EVents contact:
At http://www.eaaev.org/eaaboard.html
Ron Freund
Chairman, CE Publication
Address Correspondence to:
LVEVA
2816 W. El Campo Grande Avenue
No. Las Vegas, NV 89031
Call for Information:
Richard Furniss (702) 453-6196
Jan Himber for Al Sawyer (702) 642-4000
Bill Kuehl (702) 636-0304
Stan Hanel (702) 405-0506
Contents:
-- LVEVA to Display Electric Cars at UNLV Earth Day Exhibition
-- President Obama’s Energy Speech at Southern California Edison EV Tech Center
-- GM Management Shakeup- CEO Rick Wagoner Resigns; Vice-Chair Bob Lutz Retires
-- Ford Motor Company Introduces New Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Product Lines
-- Chrysler ENVI Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Product Lines
-- Mitsubishi Motors i-MIEV Electric Car Coming To America
-- Lloyd Reece’s Electric Motor Rebuild Adventures
-- The Effects of Heaters and Air Conditioners on EV Range
-- LVEVA DVD Reference Library
-- EV Repairs and Service
-- EV Conversion and Fabrication Support
-- EVs and EV Parts for Sale
LVEVA to Display Electric Cars at UNLV Earth Day Exhibition
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) will host its annual Earth Day Exhibition on Wednesday, April 22nd from 8 AM to 1 PM. School children from surrounding campuses will be bused in with their teachers and parent chaperones to tour the event.
Gail Lucas, co-founder and former President of the Las Vegas Electric Auto Association (LVEAA), a predecessor to the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association (LVEVA), has once again organized a display of electric vehicles as part of the exhibition.
Dr. Robert Boehm, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UNLV will be displaying a hydrogen car as part of the exhibit. Members of the LVEVA will also be presenting their vehicles for the display. The LVEVA roster currently includes:
Vice-President Lloyd Reece with a 1981 Lectra Motors Centauri
Board of Director member Dan Trujillo with a 1981 Lectra Motors Centauri
Board of Director member Al Sawyer with an electric scooter
Dan Klein with an electric Chevy S-10E
Bob MacNamara with an Electrans 3-wheel electric motorcycle
The LVEVA is looking forward to providing educational information about electric vehicle technology to students of all ages during this event.
President Barack Obama Energy Speech at Southern California Edison EV Tech Center
March 19 2009
Highlights Notes: After touring the Edison Electric Vehicle Technical Center in Pomona, California today, President Obama announced an outlay of $2.4 billion is stimulus funds meant to encourage the production of next generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and advanced battery components for such vehicles.
“I am announcing that the Department of Energy is launching a $2 billion competitive grant program under the Recovery Act that will spark the manufacturing of the batteries and parts that run these cars, build or upgrade the factories that will produce them, and in the process, create thousands of jobs right here in America,” the president said.
He added that the government is “making a $400 million down-payment on the infrastructure necessary to get these cars on the road; and because these cars won’t leave the showroom unless consumers buy them, the Recovery Act includes a new tax credit of $7,500 to encourage Americans to plug one in at home.”
“Show us that your idea or your company is best-suited to meet America’s challenges, and we will give you a chance to prove it,” the president said, adding that “every company that wants a shot at these tax dollars has to prove their worth.”
The full text content of the speech follows:
“It is good to be back in California. It’s always nice to get out of Washington for a little while and recharge your batteries. You know a little bit about that here. And I want to thank the folks here at the Electric Vehicle Technical Center for the tour we just had.
Yesterday, I was in Costa Mesa talking with folks about this economic downturn we’re in – a downturn that’s hitting this state as much as any. One in ten Californians are out of work and actively looking for jobs. And the foreclosure crisis has had a devastating impact on Southern California in particular. But Californians aren’t just bearing the brunt of this crisis – you’re doing what needs to be done to overcome it.
This workshop is a perfect example of that. Day by day, test by test, trial by painstaking trial; the scientists, engineers, and workers at this site are developing the ideas and innovations that our future depend upon. It is your ingenuity that will help create the new jobs and new industries of tomorrow.
It isn’t easy. There are days, I’m sure, when progress seems fleeting, and days when it feels like you’re making no progress at all. But often, our greatest discoveries are born not in a flash of brilliance, but in the crucible of a deliberate effort over time. And often, they take something more than imagination and dedication alone – often they take an investment from government. That’s how we sent a man to the moon. That’s how we were able to launch a world wide web. And it’s how we’ll build the clean energy economy that’s the key to our competitiveness in the 21st century.
We’ll do this because we know that the nation that leads on energy will be the nation that leads the world in the 21st century. That’s why, around the world, nations are racing to lead in these industries of the future. Germany is leading the world in solar power. Spain generates almost 30 percent of its power by harnessing the wind, while we manage less than one percent. And Japan is producing the batteries that currently power American hybrid cars.
So the problem isn’t a lack of technology. You’re producing the technology right here. The problem is that, for decades, we have avoided doing what must be done as a nation to turn challenge into opportunity. As a consequence, we import more oil today than we did on 9/11. The 1908 Model T earned better gas mileage than a typical SUV sold in 2008. And even as our economy has been transformed by new forms of technology, our electric grid looks largely the same as it did half a century ago.
So we have a choice to make. We can remain one of the world’s leading importers of foreign oil, or we can make the investments that will allow us to become the world’s leading exporter of renewable energy. We can let climate change continue to go unchecked, or we can help stem it. We can let the jobs of tomorrow be created abroad, or we can create those jobs right here in America and lay the foundation for our lasting prosperity.
That is what my recovery plan does. It will create or save 3.5 million jobs – nearly 400,000 of them right here in California – in part by making investments in areas critical to our long-term growth.
And that is the forward-thinking purpose of the budget I have submitted to Congress. It’s a budget that makes hard choices about where to save and where to spend; that makes overdue investments in education, health care, and yes, energy – investments that will catalyze innovation and industry, creating green jobs and launching clean, renewable energy companies right here in California.
In the next three years, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history – an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in science and technology.
We will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks that are built right here in America.
We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. We will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills, just like you’ve done in California for decades. And we will put one million plug-in hybrid vehicles on America’s roads by 2015.
Because these cars of tomorrow require the batteries of tomorrow, I am announcing that the Department of Energy is launching a $2 billion competitive grant program under the Recovery Act that will spark the manufacturing of the batteries and parts that run these cars, build or upgrade the factories that will produce them, and in the process, create thousands of jobs right here in America.
Show us that your idea or your company is best-suited to meet America’s challenges, and we will give you a chance to prove it. And just because I’m here today doesn’t exempt all of you from that challenge – every company that wants a shot at these tax dollars has to prove their worth.
We are also making a $400 million down-payment on the infrastructure necessary to get these cars on the road; and because these cars won’t leave the showroom unless consumers buy them, the Recovery Act includes a new tax credit of $7,500 to encourage Americans to plug one in at home.
True to form, California has already forged ahead with its own plans rather than wait for Washington. It’s fitting that the state home to the first freeway and the first gas station is already at work devising the next freeway and the next gas station. This “green freeway” you’re planning with Oregon and Washington would link your states with a network of rest stops that allow you to do more than just grab a cup of coffee; but also charge your car, refuel it with hydrogen or biofuels, or swap out a battery in the time it takes to fill a gas tank. Charging stations have begun to pop up around downtown San Francisco, and that city has joined with San Jose and Oakland with the vision of becoming the “electric vehicle capital of the United States.”
Here at Southern California Edison, and all across the country, in factories and laboratories, at the Big Three and at small startups, these innovations are taking place right now. In Michigan, and Ohio, and right here in California, we are seeing exciting developments in this field as hardworking men and women are already laying the groundwork for this new industry. Even as our American automakers are undergoing a painful recalibration, they are retooling and reimagining themselves into an industry that can compete and win, because millions of jobs depend on it.
This is the critical work you’re doing. But it’s just one component of what must be a comprehensive energy plan. That’s why we are making an $11 billion investment in upgrading our power grid, so that it can carry renewable energy from the far-flung places that harness or produce it to the cities that use it. That’s why we will create jobs retrofitting millions of homes and cutting energy use in federal buildings by one quarter, saving the American taxpayer $1.5 billion each year.
These are challenging times, but we know we can do this. It won’t come without cost, nor will it be easy. We’ve got 240 million cars already on the road. We’ve got to upgrade the world’s largest energy grid while it’s already in use. And other countries aren’t standing around and waiting for us; they are forging ahead with their own bold energy plans.
But we have faced tough challenges before. And at our best, we have never relied on hope and chance alone. Time and again, we have tapped those great American resources: industriousness and ingenuity. That, after all, is what California is all about. This is a state that has always drawn people who’ve had their eyes set on the horizon; who’ve always dreamed of a future that others thought beyond reach. That is the spirit that you are reclaiming here at the Electric Vehicle Test Center, and that is the spirit we need to reclaim all across this country. Thank you.”
GM Management Shakeup- CEO Rick Wagoner Resigns; Vice-Chair Bob Lutz Retires
From Wikipedia, March 30, 2009:
Rick Wagoner resigned as Chairman and CEO at General Motors on March 29, 2009, at the request of the White House. During Wagoner's tenure as CEO of General Motors, the market capitalization of GM has gone down by more than 90%.
Wagoner received a bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University in 1975. He then attended Harvard Business School from which he earned an MBA in 1977. After Harvard, he joined GM as an analyst in the treasurer's office. In 1981, he became treasurer of GM's Brazil subsidiary and later served as managing director.
In 1992, he was named GM's chief financial officer, in 1994 he became executive vice president and/or president of North American Operations, and in 1998 he was named president and chief operating officer. He became president and chief executive officer in June 2000 and was elected chairman on May 1, 2003. During his reign, GM shares have plummeted from around $60 in June 2000 to as low as $1.27 in March 2009, a loss of approximately 98%, and GM's share of North American cars sales went from 28.3% to 18.3%.
The operational improvements that Wagoner helped make in the decade, starting when he was chief financial officer and later as chief operating officer was reflected in GM's lead over the rest of the U.S. “Big Three” car companies. After GM lost $30 billion during a single three-year stretch in the early '90s, Wagoner and Chairman John F. "Jack" Smith Jr. forced GM "back to basics" to battle "30 years of management mistakes" that left him with little room to maneuver.
In an interview, Wagoner stated that the worst decision of his tenure at GM was "axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right resources into hybrids. It didn’t affect profitability, but it did affect image." The effect on the image was that the perception of GM changed from being viewed as a technology innovator, into a perception of the company as having little interest in innovation in a market with high demand for hybrid and electric vehicles, and leading to observations that GM, under Wagoner's leadership, failed to see clearly obvious trends.
In April 2005 Wagoner took back personal control of GM's North American car division in light of its poor performance. In early June 2005 Wagoner announced that GM in the United States would close several plants and shed 25,000 employees (17% of GM's U.S. workforce) by 2008. The cuts will result in GM production reducing output by one million cars and trucks (from 6 million to 5 million). In 2008 Wagoner came under renewed pressure as GM sought financial support from the U.S. government in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy.”
On March 29, 2009, Wagoner agreed to immediately resign his position as GM Chairman and CEO, as part of an Obama administration automotive restructuring plan to be announced on March 30 in exchange for further bailout funds. This was prompted by the size of the bailout requested and conclusions that Wagoner’s decisions while CEO of GM to emphasize production of inefficient trucks and SUVs at the expense of more fuel-efficient vehicles led to the downturn in the company and the automotive world as oil and gasoline prices surged. The Obama administration is giving GM 60 days to show progress on a restructuring plan or continue to let the company slide into bankruptcy and reorganization.
The Obama administration’s move against Wagoner has precedence in relation to the same types of actions taken by President Bush's Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson. In September 2008, Paulson insisted that AIG CEO Robert Willumstad step down as part of an $85 billion bailout of the insurance giant. Paulson installed in his place Edward Liddy, a former Allstate executive. The AIG bailout has since grown to about $170 billion and Liddy has faced calls for his resignation in the wake of reports about hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of bonuses the firm agreed to pay to employees.
The Obama administration has created an automotive industry task force to oversee the bailout program. The task force is a cabinet-level group that includes the secretaries of Transportation, Commerce, Labor and Energy. It also includes the chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, the EPA administrator, and the director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change. The Task Force will be led by Treasury Secretary [Tim] Geithner and [National Economic Council] Director Larry Summers. The panel’s chief adviser is Steven Rattner, a well-known investment banker and former New York Times reporter.
Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mullaly has not taken government bailout funds to turn around his company, just requesting a $9 billion line of credit that the company has the option to tap after 2009. Mullaly previously led a successful turnaround effort for United Airlines in the commercial aviation industry. Under his leadership, Ford Motor Company is continuing to restructure and is turning around the company with plans to introduce new fuel-efficient hybrid and electric car product lines.
Although Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli has received $4 billion of taxpayer money on his company’s behalf in 2008 and is requesting another $6 billion in 2009, he has not been asked to resign as he is a relative newcomer to the automotive industry, having been the former CEO of Home Depot. Under his leadership, Chrysler has led the way in restructuring its company with new plans to produce the ENVI line of electric and hybrid cars (see more information in follow-up article below). Also, Chrysler is a privately-held automotive company now and not a publicly traded one. There are talks of a potential merger with auto manufacturer Fiat of Italy. Fiat has proposed purchasing a 35% private investment share of Chrysler.
The Obama administration has also provided grants of $5 billion in bailout funds to automotive parts suppliers affected by the industry downturn.
“Alpha Dog, Cleared For TakeOff”
by Bill Moore, EV World, February 2009
“Bob Lutz will likely be remembered for two things: his politically (as well as scientifically) incorrect views on global climate change, and the huge gamble he convinced General Motors to take on electric cars.
Lutz recently announced that he was retiring as GM's Vice-chairman, a position he assumed in 2002 after working at BMW, Chrysler, Ford and Exide. A former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot who was born in Zurich, Switzerland, he is credited with pushing performance vehicle programs that built brand image more than profits.
Not long after he arrived at GM, he began lobbying for an electric car follow-on to the EV1. It was the rollout of the Tesla Roadster that was the catalyst for resuming his EV initiative, the result of which was the Volt program. His last hurrah is the Cadillac Converj, which merges the Voltec drive with the signature Cadillac styling he championed.
During our small group Q&A session in Detroit last month, Rick Wagoner put Lutz in the same class as styling legends Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell. Even though Lutz isn't a designer by training, Wagoner praised his Vice-chairman's discerning eye, even if he occasionally dropped verbal bombshells.
So, as Bob spins up the kerosene-burning turbine on his Alpha Jet and waves for the wheel chocks to be pulled, we wish him the best as he flies off into the sunset of automotive history.”
Ford Motor Company Announces New Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Product Lines
During February, 2009 Ford Motor Company partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in Palo Alto, California and battery manufacturer Johnson Controls-Saft to issue the following press releases that show the increased commitment of Ford Motor Company to Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) research as well as product line development:
News Release February 11, 2009
FORD, EPRI ADD 7 NEW UTILITY PARTNERS, BATTERY MAKER TO PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE PROGRAM
Seven electric utility providers are joining the Ford and Electric Power Research Institute plug-in hybrid electric vehicle program to conduct real world testing with Ford Escape PHEVs.
Utility companies and a state research agency from New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts and Michigan join testing and research already underway in California.
Ford also announced a new partnership with Johnson Controls-Saft, which will supply a complete battery system for Ford’s first production PHEVs in 2012.
Ford’s electric vehicle plan includes a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles by 2012.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 3, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today announced new details about its electric vehicle strategy, including the announcement of a new plug-in hybrid battery supplier and the addition of seven utility partners to a test program to speed the commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Ford said it has entered into a partnership with battery producer Johnson Controls-Saft to develop advanced lithium-ion battery system to power Ford’s first commercial plug-in hybrid (PHEV). At the same time, Ford said seven regional electric utility partners are joining Ford and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct real-world tests on an expanding fleet of Ford Escape PHEVs.
“As we move toward greater electrification of vehicles, we can achieve much more by working together toward a common goal,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The work we are investing in today on both the vehicles and the connectivity to the nation’s electric grid will pay off with real-world vehicles for customers in the very near future.”
The partnerships will help Ford accelerate its electrification strategy, including bringing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small BEV sedan developed jointly with Magna International by 2011 and a PHEV by 2012.
Ford is providing Escape PHEVs for real world road testing to its new research and utility partners around the country, including:
1. New York Power Authority
2. Consolidated Edison of New York
3. American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio
4. Alabama Power of Birmingham, Ala.; and its parent, Atlanta-based Southern Company
5. Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C.
6. DTE Energy of Detroit
7. National Grid of Waltham, Mass.
8. New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, a state agency.
Ford formed its first utility partnership with Southern California Edison in 2007.
EPRI, which is providing financial and logistical support for extensive new studies, formed the collaboration of utilities for the program. This allows EPRI and Ford, which first entered into a three-year agreement in March, to study regional differences and the impact on the electric grid as well as the vehicles.
“The data mined from these field tests will provide crucial information that will help us continue to make advances in battery technology, vehicle systems and customer usage,” said Arshad Mansoor, EPRI vice president of Power Deliver and Markets. “This technical information will lead to PHEV standards that will ultimately help automakers and utilities develop an efficient, convenient infrastructure and a seamless interface between the road and the power grid.”
The research into PHEVs focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage, and grid infrastructure. The companies also will explore the potential for stationary battery application and the value of energy storage.
“We are at the point where we need to work with the battery supply base, the utility industry and the government in order to find ways to make electrified vehicles an affordable proposition for consumers,” Cischke said. “Plug-in hybrids hold great promise, but do still face significant obstacles to commercialization.”
Ford was the first automotive manufacturer to partner with the utility industry in a shared effort to understand all of the issues related to PHEV technology and its interconnectivity with the electric grid.
“Bringing the seven additional utilities on board raises the program to a new level,” said Mansoor. “We would expect the sharing and transfer of data among our newly expanded program will result in more robust data.”
Drivers of the demonstration Ford Escape PHEV will make far fewer trips to the gas station. It uses common household current (120 volts) for charging, with a full charge of the battery completed within six to eight hours. When driven on surface streets for the first 30 miles following a full charge, the Ford Escape PHEV can achieve up to 120 mpg – roughly 4.5 times its traditional gas internal combustion engine-powered counterpart.
A fully charged Ford Escape PHEV operates in two modes, electric drive and blended electric/engine drive. It is not range-limited by the amount of charge available in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Once the charge in the battery has been depleted, the vehicle continues to operate as a fuel-efficient, standard Ford Escape Hybrid.
Battery supplier announced
Ford also announced today that Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the complete battery system for Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) beginning in 2012.
“The battery is the critical piece of electrifying vehicles,” says Nancy Gioia, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. “Johnson Controls-Saft is one of the leaders focused on creating lithium-ion batteries for an affordable new generation of vehicles.”
The lithium-ion battery system that Johnson Controls-Saft is designing and manufacturing for Ford include cells, mechanical, electrical, electronic and thermal components. Initially the cells will be produced at the supplier’s production facility in France, but the system will be assembled in the United States. The five-year supply agreement includes delivery for committed production in 2012 with a target of at least 5,000 units per year.
“As U.S. vehicle manufacturers commercialize their hybrid programs, the industry will be best served with a qualified and robust domestic supply base,” said Alex Molinaroli, president of Johnson Controls Power Solutions. “Developing and manufacturing these components here also represents a significant opportunity to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources.”
Class-leading hybrids
As part of its electric vehicle strategy Ford recently launched the all new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, doubling volume of Ford’s hybrid lineup, which already includes the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the world’s most fuel efficient SUVs. The new midsize hybrid cars offer class-leading fuel economy of 41 mpg city driving, besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city. The innovative new SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide in the Fusion and Milan coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com
EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development on technology, operations and the environment for the global electric power industry. As an independent, non-profit organization, EPRI brings together its members, the institute’s scientists of research to meet challenges in electricity generation, delivery and use, including health, safety and the environment. EPRI’s members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI has major offices and laboratories in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn., and Lenox, Mass.
Johnson Controls-Saft
Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture that has brought together Johnson Controls -- the world's leading supplier of automotive batteries and a company deeply experienced in integrated automotive systems solutions -- with Saft, an advanced energy storage solutions provider with extensive Li-ion battery.
From HybridCars. Com, published February 19, 2009:
http://www.hybridcars.com/news/fords-sneaks-electric-car-future-25557.html
While all eyes are on high-profile plug-in announcements from General Motors, Nissan, Toyota and others, Ford appears to be quietly inching into a leading position in the race to get electric vehicles on the market.
Ford Transit Connect, a fully electric commercial van.
Ford has recently made great advances in its hybrid technology with the 41-mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid and second-generation Escape Hybrid. The company has committed to taking more big steps forward when it rolls out its first electric vehicles—a European-built mini commercial vehicle called the Ford Transit Connect and a pure electric Ford Fusion™.
The Transit Connect, produced in collaboration with the UK’s Smith Electric Vehicles, will feature a 29 kWh battery pack. Ford expects to eventually sell “a couple thousand a month,” mainly to government fleets, according to Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.
Next Up: A Small Electric Car
Ford will be quickly following the Transit EV with several pure electric vehicles aimed at the consumer market, including a Focus-sized subcompact that’s slated for sale in 2011. HybridCars.com took a quick demo-drive of the vehicle—simply called BEV for battery electric vehicle—at the Washington Auto Show earlier this month. The BEV accelerated in a brisk manner with barely a flutter of noise. Power delivery was seamless and constant. (We'll have more detailed reports in the coming weeks.)
The Ford BEV is a joint venture between Ford and Magna International, a major global parts supplier. Magna supplies the batteries and powertrain components, as well as the engineering and vehicle design. The BEV technology has been applied to a Ford Focus mule that has been in road testing for the past six months.
To power up, the BEV has an on-board battery charger compatible with any standard outlet. Charge time is approximately 12 hours at 110 volts or 6 hours at 220 volts. Fully charged, the BEV promises a travel range of 100 miles. The powertrain consists of single electric motor managed by a one-speed transmission. Energy comes from a lithium ion battery split into two packs. One is stored below the floor of the cabin, and the other is in the trunk. Energy-saving features include vacuum-assisted regenerative brakes, a high-voltage compressor for the air conditioning system, and an electric cabin heater.
Ford says the BEV will first be introduced in North America, with the potential to migrate to the European and Asia Pacific markets down the road.
In Good Time: Ford Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Cars
Ford’s plan is to deliver some version of the BEV in 2011, and then to follow in 2012 with its next-generation hybrid vehicles and a plug-in hybrid. If the company delivers, it will be only slightly behind Toyota’s plug-in Prius and GM’s Chevy Volt. That’s not far at all, considering the small initial production numbers for these vehicles. By that time, Ford will have a couple years of real-world road experience with electric vehicles.
Chrysler ENVI Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Product Lines
Chrysler’s ENVI division is developing the Town & Country minivan, 200C EV concept, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUVs as Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) using a series hybrid electric drive train with 40-mile electric-only range. The company followed up earlier this year to unveil the two-passenger Dodge “Circuit” EV Sports Car. One Plug-In Hybrid EV (PHEV) model is planned for sale in US by end of 2010, with other models rolling out by 2013.
From the Chrysler web site:
https://www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/overview/
“A PERSONAL MOBILITY REVOLUTION
Introducing five distinct vehicle platforms with ENVI’s electric-vehicle technology from Chrysler LLC. We’ve been hard at work updating the three ENVI-powered Electric Vehicles (EV) you first saw in September 2008. Plus we’ve added two more exciting products to our production-intent lineup. ENVI’s electric-vehicle technology enables a new standard of quiet, smooth and efficient operation.
What That Means For You
--No compromise on performance, agility, space and design
--Instantaneous acceleration and responsiveness
--Continuing to drive the way you drive today
--Being environmentally responsible
--Ability to own one of these electric vehicles as soon as 2010
--At least three more models available by 2013
How It Works
A. ENVI’s all-electric EVs provide a 150- to 200-mile driving range on zero gasoline and no tailpipe emissions
B. ENVI’s Range-extended Electric Vehicles can travel 40 miles on battery power alone.
C. The range extender is a small internal combustion engine and integrated generator that produces electricity that extends the range to 400 miles, using very little gasoline
D. Overnight charging with a standard 110-volt household outlet
E. Charging time is cut in half with 220-volt household appliance power outlet
F. Check out our blog for videos, photos and the latest on ENVI and more about this exciting technology.”
Dodge “Circuit” Specifications at: https://www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/specs/dodge_vehicles.php
“0% EMISSIONS, 100% PERFORMANCE
You don't have to slow down to keep the planet squeaky clean. And you'll never have to stop for another gas station. Dodge Circuit EV packages zero tailpipe emissions in the unlikely form of a bold, two-passenger rear-wheel-drive sports car with responsive, agile performance including an All-New design inside and out.
Features That Give You the Right to Brag:
1. Instant high torque with a 200 kW (268 hp) electric-drive motor
2. 0–60 mph in less than five seconds
3. Quarter-mile in 13 seconds
4. Top speed of more than 120 mph
5. Continuous driving range of 150 to 200 miles – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers
DODGE “CIRCUIT” EV PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle Type
Body style: Two-passenger, performance sports coupe
Drivetrain: Electric propulsion, rear-wheel drive
Category: Battery Electric Vehicle
Powertrain and Suspension
Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Energy Recovery: Regenerative braking
Battery: Lithium-ion
Suspension: Front – Independent, Rear – Independent
Charging: Onboard charger, dual voltage
110/120-volt outlet (15A) – standard household power outlet
220/240-volt outlet: (30A) – household appliance power outlet
Mitsubishi Motors i-MIEV Electric Car Coming To America
In April 2008, Mitsubishi Motors announced a U.S. Electric Vehicle Fleet Test:
“Tetsuro Aikawa, Managing Director in charge of Product Development Group Headquarters, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, announced at the New York International Auto Show that fleet testing of the zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle would begin in the U.S. this fall.
The i MiEV electric prototype vehicle is powered by a durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system located under the floor deck that is linked to a 47-kW permanent-magnet electric motor, promising up to 80 miles of driving on a single charge.
Also unveiled at the show was the i MiEV Sport concept. The i MiEV Sport concept is a coupe variation on the i MiEV with a 'fastback' roofline, maximizing the sporty possibilities of the electric vehicle package.”
In August 2008, the company followed up by reaching agreements with two California state utilities to provide EV fleet testing:
PRESS RELEASE
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Conduct Joint Research with i MiEV Electric Vehicles
Tokyo, August 8, 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) covering the use of MMC's zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle for research and demonstration purposes.
According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, "We are hoping for the opportunity to introduce the small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEV to PG&E's fleet in the fourth quarter of this year so that we can begin real-world U.S. testing. The joint partnership will yield valuable data and a greater appreciation of the practicality of an all-electric vehicle in California."
Extensive testing with the i MiEV has taken place over the past two years with seven major utility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and prompted Mitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.
Through daily use, PG&E will gauge the viability of utilizing all-electric vehicles in its operations and further understand the impact of charging electric vehicles on the electric grid. The testing will provide PG&E and Mitsubishi Motors with vehicle usage data, which will be used to publicly demonstrate and validate the many benefits of dedicated electric vehicles within the California market.
"PG&E has been researching the benefits of electric vehicles since the nineties. Partnering with automakers like Mitsubishi is vital to developing compatible infrastructures to support electric vehicles in the marketplace and ensure responsible integration with the grid," said Andrew Tang, senior director of smart energy web for PG&E. "By working with Mitsubishi, we will both benefit from a free exchange of electric vehicle information that includes charging infrastructure availability, vehicle data, vehicle commercialization expectations and public feedback."
The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi's "i" gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the vehicle offers the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravity for more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quicker acceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.
The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Mitsubishi Corporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edge in battery technology and promises up to 100 miles of zero emissions, economical driving on a single charge when packaged in the i MiEV.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison's Industry Leading EV Technical Center for Joint Testing and Evaluation
Innovative Four-Passenger Electric Car Delivery in Fourth Quarter 2008
Tokyo, August 8, 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Southern California Edison (SCE) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and evaluation of the new i MiEV electric vehicle.
According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, "The small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEVs will enter into SCE's nationally-recognized prototype testing and evaluation program. This collaboration with one of the nation's leading utility supporters of electric vehicles will provide us technical feedback on i MiEV vehicle and battery performance, as well as vehicle connection and integration into the electrical system."
Extensive testing with the i MiEV has been occurring over the past two years with seven major utility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and prompted Mitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.
The rise in interest for electric vehicles and other alternative-fuel propulsion systems is dramatically shaping the way automakers and utility companies are approaching the opportunity. Through this program, SCE hopes to help Mitsubishi Motors gauge how electric vehicles will most effectively connect to the smart grid of the future and the next generation Edison SmartConnectTM advanced meters. In addition, the collaboration may explore future requirements for vehicle communication and connection, helping enable new customer values associated with home energy management and control.
"Southern California Edison has more than 20 years and 16 million EV miles of experience operating the nation's largest private fleet of electric vehicles," said Edward Kjaer, SCE's director of electric transportation. "This new EV collaboration with Mitsubishi complements SCE's existing work on plug-in hybrids and next-generation advanced batteries and their effective connection and control by Edison's next-generation meters"
The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi's "i" gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the i MiEV is able to offer the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravity for more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quicker acceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.
The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Mitsubishi Corporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edge in battery technology and promises up to 100 miles of zero-emissions, economical driving on a single charge when packaged in the i MiEV.
About SCE
An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California. SCE's EV Technical Center, unique in the utility industry, partners with automakers and battery manufacturers to conduct industry-leading prototype testing and evaluation on battery EV, plug-in hybrid EV and fuel cell EV vehicles. For more information, see www.sce.com
Mitsubishi is still finalizing its design, releasing prototypes of the i MiEV and the I MiEV Sport Air electric “pocket rocket” sports car. Commercial versions of these vehicles are planned for availability during 2010 and may be configured as Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) with gasoline engine range extenders. The i MiEV has a unique all-wheel drive electric motor propulsion system--one electric motor in each of the front wheels as well as one electric motor driving the two rear wheels in synchronization. Energy recovery will come from regenerative braking and the option of adding solar panels to recharge the battery system.
Electric Motor Rebuild Adventures
by Lloyd Reece, LVEVA Vice-president and Board of Director Member
Good Day!! Most of you are not aware, but while driving to work a few weeks ago I experienced a bad moment. I was heading up Charleston Blvd. at approximately 5:30 am. I had just crossed Maryland Parkway when my car stopped making any noise. As some of you know my 1981 Lectra Motors electric car is not your quiet electric car of today and when I don't here the motor making some noise while being fed with anywhere from 70 to 300 Amps of electricity it is not a good sign. My voltage gauge said I had plenty of battery but when I put my foot down none of it was getting to the controller and then to the motor. I managed to grab the only piece of curb that was not red for the next two blocks and parked it. After a quick inspection I knew I was not going to be able to do much about it at that time and so I called in to work said I would be a bit late and grabbed the next bus into work.
Well, I had the car towed home and a couple of days passed by while I removed the batteries that set on top of the motor and, with help from the best Electric Car Club in these United States (LVEVA - Las Vegas Electric Car Club http:\\www.lveva.org [Yes I am biased]), I was able to pull the motor and find a lot of bad news. It seems that I had developed a short in the motor and the leads going to two of the eight brushes had just melted. I also had some of the quarter-inch solid copper bars that run from the field windings of the motor to the brushes just melt in two.
Al Sawyer, who designed my car for Lectra Motors almost 30 years ago, had some pieces of other motors that he thought might help rebuild the original Prestolite 4001. Richard Furniss and Bill Kuehl thought we had a shot at piecing together enough good parts to "fix" my motor. Well we had the pieces but when we got the assembled parts together and tested the motor (by itself, not in the car) it had a very bad hesitation while rotating, not the smooth whine it should have.
This required more expertise, so I put the motor in the back of Al's Prius and we went off to one of the local motor repair shops. They came back with bad news and said that the motor was shot and they didn't think they could find any parts for it! It took them a few days to come up with this opinion and all the while the tests that Al had run on the motor before we took it to the shop kept running around in his mind and he proposed that we try to re-build the motor ourselves.
About this time, by a great stroke of fate, one of the founding members of the Las Vegas Electric Auto Association, that later became the LVEVA, emailed me. Gail Lucas is not active in the club anymore but still drives an electric car around town. She let me know that she had the exact motor that my car needed in her garage that had not been used. It was 20+ years old and she had purchased it, intending to put it in a car and never did. Thank you Gail for your offer to sell me this "brand new" motor. My car will be back on the road again soon!!
Meanwhile, Al has been picking me up from work almost everyday and we have spent 2 to 4 hours every afternoon taking the old shot motor completely apart and finding out just exactly what was wrong. Well, the motor shop gave up when they could not find parts. Al, on the other hand, did not. He brought his trusty Volt-Ohm meter (I think he's had it over 20 years) over to my garage and checked every winding in the motor. We could not find the short that we believe had caused the motor to fail so we started cleaning, sanding and re-building the motor. We cobbled parts from the ones that Al had lying around, bought some new bearings and cleaned off the burn residue and rust that was on the various parts. We put then put the crazy thing back together, hooked up a single battery to the motor and it ran as smooth as ever!
Now in the next few days I am going to take the "new" motor that I purchased and put it in the car (again with considerable help from the guys in the club) and I then I will be back on the road. Not only that but I will have the original motor as a backup in case anything goes wrong in the future thanks to Al's knowledge and willingness to help me at his young age of 85! I guarantee you that he has forgotten more about that car than I will ever know!! I believe that this is the third time that this motor has been rebuilt and, while it is not going back into the car, I have every indication that it has plenty more life left in it. I just might use it in some other vehicle down the road.
Sorry if this is a bit long, but I have to toot Al's horn here as he guided me every step of the way to putting all the pieces back into a working whole! I also need to mention Richard Furniss, who lent tools and time in getting the motor apart in the first place, along with Bill Kuehl. It think for Richard and Bill, it was a “here we go again” moment as I believe they have assisted in other repairs that had been made to this motor in the past. So, after 28-plus years and three rebuilds later, Al believes that the motor is good for many more miles.
Now comes the fun of putting the entire car (motor, controller, batteries etc....) back together. Bill Kuehl has offered to assist in that task. I am very thankful for that and want to say once again that I am very lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of people. I must take the time here to say THANK YOU for all the knowledge and time that I have received in the two-and-half years that I have been a member of the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association.
Lloyd Wayne Reece
1981 Lectra Centauri
Follow-up notes by Bill Kuehl when re-installing new Prestolite 4001 motor into existing 1981 Lectra Centauri drive train:
Bill and Lloyd tested the “new” 20-year-old Prestolite 4001 motor by connecting it to a 12-volt battery to spin it under power and monitor the brush alignment on the commutator bars of the armature. The brush holder springs should have been preset by the Prestolite factory to maintain enough tension to hold the brushes in place over the copper commutator bars as the armature/rotor spins. The rotation of the armature/rotor is caused by the dynamic interaction of electromagnetic fields between the rotor and the outer stator electromagnetic windings that are “pulse width modulated (PWM)” by a motor speed controller through the brushes to govern motor rotation speed. Each brush should show a steady wear pattern from end to end after the motor has been allowed to spin steadily for several minutes. Each brush will then be aligned with its contacting surface so that it floats smoothly over the rotating commutator bars. Uneven wear on the surface of the brushes can cause high voltage and current “arcing” between the brushes and the copper commutator bars, creating pits and dimples in the copper that will affect the efficiency of the motor and speed control system.
Once Bill and Lloyd determined that the Prestolite 4001 motor was serviceable, they attempted to mount it back onto the drive shaft of the Lectra Centauri by attaching it to the hub/clutch/flywheel assembly. Unfortunately when they tried to bolt the motor down, they found that it did not seat snugly onto the driveshaft and clutch assembly, showing a gap of about 1/8-inch.
After pulling off the clutch and flywheel, Bill noticed that the hub had not been properly re-attached to the drive shaft, leaving a gap of about ¼-inch. After unbolting the hub and reseating it, the pair then remounted the flywheel and clutch plate. Everything fit more snugly this time and the Prestolite 4001 slid right onto the drive train with no more mounting problems.
After bolting the motor down securely, they tested it under power from the battery pack and motor speed controller of the Lectra Centauri. Lloyd was relieved to see it move again under its own power.
The Effects of Heaters and Air Conditioning Systems on EV Range
by Al Sawyer, P.E.
Many people are under the impression that it is impossible to have heaters or air conditioning systems in electric cars because the additional load on the propulsion batteries will reduce the car’s range by 50% or more. This myth is only partially true. It is a fact that both the heater and the air conditioner require some energy that must come from somewhere, but there are several factors that must be considered if we are to be definitive about range reduction.
Let us examine the heater first. In order to do this, we must assume that a person is converting a fairly late model compact car that had a heater and air conditioning system installed at the factory. In a gasoline engine vehicle, the heater operates on waste heat from the cooling system, thereby requiring no additional heat source. This is accomplished by routing a portion of the engine cooling liquid through the heater core in the passenger compartment. When you remove the gasoline engine, you remove both the source of heat for the heater and the driving power for the air conditioning system compressor.
There are electric heaters available that can heat and circulate coolant through the original equipment heater, replacing the source of heated coolant supplied by the internal combustion engine. A mid-size heater will consume about 2 kiloWatts (kW) of power with close to a 100% duty cycle while the average propulsion power for a compact car is 12 to 15 kW. This boils down to a range reduction of approximately 13 to 17%.
Now let us look at air conditioning.
Automotive air conditioning people will tell you that a car air conditioner gobbles up something between 4 and 8 horsepower from an internal combustion engine. This is very evident when one considers the speed of the engine when the vehicle is traveling at varying road speeds from 0 to 80 mph or more. In addition, there are the megawatts of engine heat, the sun heat load, the residual heat of the car body, and interior fixtures that must be dealt with before the passenger compartment begins to cool down. The electric car, however, presents a considerably different picture. There is no high calorie engine heat to dissipate and the compressor can run at a constant speed, requiring greatly reduced horsepower. Consequently a 1-horsepower (hp) electric motor running at 1750 to 2400 rpm will adequately power the air conditioner. Under normal conditions, the system will operate at about a 50% duty cycle.
A 1 hp DC electric motor running at 90% efficiency will consume about 830 watts or .83 kW. Assuming a 50% duty cycle, this gives us an average power consumption of .42 kW. Again considering 12 to 15 kW for propulsion, this gives us a range reduction of 2.8 to 3.5%. If conditions are such that a 50% duty cycle cannot be achieved, then the worst case range reduction would be 4.6 to 7%.
It is interesting to note that heating an electric car requires more energy than cooling!
LVEVA DVD Reference Library
The LVEVA maintains a growing library of DVD reference videos that are available to its members that can be borrowed for one month at a time. Bill Kuehl, LVEVA Secretary/Treasurer is also the LVEVA video librarian. He can be contacted to pick up and return these videos at each monthly chapter meeting. The current list of videos that are available for a one month rental are:
1. “Who Killed the Elecric Car” Documentary
2. Plug in Partners National Campaign (2006)
3. EAA Silicon Valley CalCars PHEV Technology Overview (2005)
4. Boulder City Christmas Parade Highlights (2006)
5. Convert Your Pickup to Electric (DIY Video by GrassrootsEV)
Note: This video can be copied to viewer’s hard disk to keep!
6. Tom Gage of AC Propulsion speaks at EAA Silicon Valley (2005)
7. Monster Garage EV conversion (Jesse James)
and John Wayland White Zombie Videos (2006)
8. Electric Avenue by George Gladic Fox Valley EAA Chapter 2006.
9. Bruce Katz of Polyplus Battery Company speaks at EAASV (2005)
EV Repairs and Service
Western Petroleum Station
2051 E. Sahara (corner of Eastern Avenue and Sahara)
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Contact: Jim Johnson
Telephone: (702) 457-2675
Web site: http://storefront.dexonline.com/jims-texaco
EV Conversion and Fabrication Support
The Hybrid Company
5225 S. Valley View Blvd., Suite 16
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Web site: http://www.thehybridcompany.com
Tel: (702) 539-2337
Fax: (702) 255-2710
Contact: John DeVillier
Precision EV Components Machining Support
Real Products, LLC
3433 Neeham Road #2
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Contact: Eric Tschabold
Tel: (702) 644-1165
Email: energyz@cox.net
EV Parts and Kits for Sale:
GrassrootsEV.com
Las Vegas Office
Address: 5225 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89118
“Electric Vehicles and Everything for Them”
Contact: Jon Hallquist
Tel: (702) 277-7544
Email: jon@grassrootsev.com
Web site: http://www.grassrootsev.com
OKA NEV ZEV Parts and Kits for Sale: www.okaauto.com
OKA NEV ZEV KIT cars in stock now for immediate delivery prices start at $5,000 FOB Las Vegas. We also have 4844 ALLTRAX Controllers(48V 400 A DC for Series motor) in stock (more than we need) $550 list, $375.00 NET.
Contact: Miro Kefurt
OKA AUTO USA : www.okaauto.com
Distributor: MIROX Corporation
5015 W. Sahara Ave. #125-130
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
USA
Tel: (702) 683-8292
E-mail: okaauto@aol.com
The Free Energy Store
300 West Utah, Suite 101
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Tel: (702) 320-0770
Fax: (702) 320-0270
Web site: http://www.freeenergystore.com
Contact: Russ Lord
Email: russ@freeenergystore.com
EV-Charge America
Sales and Installation of Coulomb Technologies "Smartlet" EV Charging Stations
8620 Eastern Ave. Suite 5
Las Vegas, NV. 89123
Contact: Bob Rosinski or Tom Haynie
Tel: (702) 696-1600
Tom Haynie Cell: (702) 738-7456
Fax: (866) 941-6819
Bob Rosinski Email: bob@ev-chargeamerica.com
Tom Haynie Email: tom@ev-chargeamerica.com
For Sale: Chrome "Electric" Emblems for EV's
Mike Chancey - Posted 06/25/00
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Checked: 07/13/03
Chrome "Electric" car emblems, just like the OEM factory lettering. Okay, so you own a beautiful electric vehicle, but does the world know? Show them with these profession quality "ELECTRIC" emblems. Fabricated from weather resistant thermoplastic, these signs feature a bright chrome like finish on the letter faces with a subtle matte black background. They mount easily with the self adhesive HighTack backing. Simply peel off the protective cover, and press the sign into place. Each sign is approximately 1.25" in height and 7" in length. Only $6.00 each or four for $20.00, plus $1.75 shipping and handling per order. Discounts for larger orders available. Send check or money order to:
Mike Chancey, 1700 East 80th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131, or order online.
EVs For Sale:
Electrans 3-wheel Futurista ETV
Range of 55 miles
Top speed of 45 mph.
Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to license this vehicle through the DMV
List price is $13,995
Contact: ElecTrans
Address: 5450 South Cameron #101, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Tel: (702) 889-2146
Web site: www.futurista.biz
For Sale: Electric 1985 Pontiac “Fiero” --Record-Holding Race Car
This 1985 Pontiac “Fiero” Conversion currently holds four National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) Class Records.
1. Class MC/F (Modified Conversion 97-120 volts)
2. Class MC/E (Modified Conversion 121-144 volts)
3. Class MC/D (Modified Conversion 145-168 volts)
4. Class MC/C (Modified Conversion 169-192 volts)
The 1985 Pontiac Fiero has been converted with:
1. A new Netgain Warp-9 Electric DC Motor coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.
2. A DCP T-REX 1000 Water-cooled Controller with an Input Voltage Range of 96 to 336 Volts
and Motor Current Rating at 1000 Amps.
3. The Battery System is at 192 Volts. The battery pack consists of sixteen 12-volt sealed ODYSSEY PC-680 batteries with the capability of increasing battery pack capacity and voltages to compete in the NEDRA MC/B Class (Modified Conversion 193-240 volts) or to a maximum capacity of 336-volts to compete in the MC/A Class (Modified Conversion 241 volts and higher).
4. Tires are B.F. Goodrich G-Force T/A Drag Radials P215/60 R14 that connect the Electric Motor torque to the road for “no slip” acceleration.
5. Battery Charger is a 120- to 240-volt Variable Transformer with a heavy-duty full bridge rectifier. Additional cables and connectors are installed for Dump Charging from a DC battery pack.
Asking Price: $10,000 or Best Offer.
Contact: William Kuehl
Address: 4504 W. Alexander Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89032
Telephone: 702-636-0304
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