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May 2010 Posts
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[1:26:24] Join Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield, Gint Federas and Chad Schwitters as they discuss the week's EV news. Full shownotes available below. This show is sponsored by www.evcarco.com and produced by littleCollie.com
News:
EV vanity plates - a fun discussion on the PriusChat Forums.
Better Place Takes First Step in China - Signs agreement with Chery Automotobile Co.
Enova adds Ford 150 and Chevy Express to their E.V. Models.
GM's Volt MPV5 concept - Could this be the next EV from GM?
Another NEV hits the streets of the USA - Kandi Coco Hardtop. But only does 40kph...
BYD plugs into home energy. (more)
GE and Nissan ready the grid for EVs.
"You'll need a good sales pitch to buy a Leaf"
The Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid does the Nordesclife.
Student who restored a Commuta Car lands job at Tesla.
Electric Mercedes Gullwing lands in 2013 - more
BYD E6 to ship to US this year. and opens US office in LA
Tesla CUV due in 2013.
Chelsea Sexton's GM EV1 and Volt Talk on Autobloggreen.
And why GM reconnects old fans with new Volt...
Murray T25 - Spyshot released. (More)
Mazda gets patent for offset wheel mounted electric motor.
EU exec details actions for EV roll-out.
83% of people would prefer EREV over 100mile EV - says GM.
Popular Science " Does the future of the car live in China?"
Tesla will confirm the factory site for Model S very soon... - and maybe use existing buildings at Downey site.
X-Prize race begins final lap. (more)
The BBC Top Gear's Program. We all know what they think of green cars...
Don't just listen to the EVcast -- experience and be a part of it! Join us at 1:00pm Eastern, M-F, in our live video broadcast and chat along with us!
Nothing much really to add- just wanted to let y'all know that I enjoyed the show, having listened to it on Sunday evening- thumbs down for Better Place and BYD, thumbs up for Chad rescuing a RAV4 EV;-) And sorry the Saturn offer did not work out for Gint and company.
Y'all have a good week!
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Better Place has a solid idea. The fancy robots are overkill. I would work with my local ten minute oil change facilities to add a swap bay.
Having worked in warehouses/distribution centers for two decades, the idea of changing batteries seems normal to me. Take a visit to your local warehouse district and watch how efficient the changing of batteries is. Standard battery shape and accurate logging of battery hours helps track the life span. It works.
I also like fast charging. I would like to see some brave parking garage company install chargers in their garages. It would be one heck of a way to entice range limited commuters (most EVs I see that are actually available have range about 40 miles, my commute one way is 23 miles. If I could charge while at work, poof, I own an EV).
I believe we will eventually see a mix of fast charge, swappable, and plug-in hybrids. All three have their merits. Hopefully EV-Car-Co can get a dealership near me, soon. I look forward to putting my butt in the driver's seat and going on a test drive.
What exactly is "solid" about Better Place's idea? You cannot own the battery, Better Place must own it. You cannot do "convenience charging" at any old 110V outlet. You must use a Better Place charging point even at your own home. Everything that Better Place is doing adds cost to an already expensive EV and that cost ultimately must be paid for by the consumer.
What am I missing? With all the government money going into Better Place, I assume that I am missing the brilliance that is Better Place.
John C. Briggs
I'll have to echo John, here, Clifton- technically, as you have given examples of, it is feasible- but NOT a good deal for the consumer, for several reasons. The big one is cost. You can pay for one, very expensive battery in your EV- or you can pay for 3 batteries and the infrastructure to swap them out. And if battery technology changes, which it will, you either stuck with one chemistry for longer, or you will have to pay more for the replacement batteries, to be compatable with all the other Better Place cars.
Additionally, MOST EV drivers will simply not have a need to swap their batteries- you charge it at home, at night- then drive it during the day- no need to swap out the battery. The only concern would be longer trips outside of town. The solution?
I think, however, you instinctively already have the answer to Better Place- as you point out, Qucik Charge stations sound like a good idea- and they will become available as more EVs come online. And they'll be built by companies for the same reason they build gas stations- as a place for drivers to stop and spend money, on food, milk, cigarettes and beer- most do not make a great deal of their money on the gas. the same will hold true for convenience stores that sell electrons instead of carbon molecules in the future.
