EV1
We watched Who Killed the Electric Car last night on the Tivo. I am surprised that I have not watched before, but I guess I figured it would just be a rant. Surprisingly, I felt they had a very balanced message, rightfully placing the blame on pretty much everyone.
- Consumers – wanting huge SUV’s instead of smaller efficient vehicles
- Car Companies – Too addicted to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
- Gas Companies – wanting to preserve current profits $$$
- Government – Not mandating change
- CARB – Switching from a mandate for electric to hydrogen at the last minute
The funny part is that if Toyota, GM, and Ford all had continued production of their EV’s, they would be selling like hot cakes today. Toyota had a very usable RAV EV, GM had the EV1, and Ford had the Th!nk, which they have since sold to a European firm. All of these cars were in production, and could be sold today. And, with the advances in battery technology (imagine a EV1 with LiON batteries!), they would be even better, and cheaper.
Let’s hope the car companies can get their EV’s back into production, and start getting practical PHEV’s into production.
Filed in Cars, GM, Movie
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Also tagged battery, battery technology, Car, car companies, CARB, ev1, Ford, GM, government, Hydrogen, internal combustion engine, LiON, phev, tivo, Toyota, who killed the electric car
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I recently stumbled across Lion Electric Vehicles. These guys have some great new technology that enables you to hop-up your existing hybrid by swapping out your existing batteries with new batteries can greatly increase your range.
And even more incredible is that they are selling Ford Escape Hybrids that have already been modified with their new technology. Changes to the battery pack and the sensor program allow it to run on EV entirely within city speed ranges. On the highway it operates as an ICE vehicle with electric boost.
These guys are based out of VA, but have facilities all over the world. It is nice to see a US company developing new technology that will help power the new energy-independence economy. I am hopeful that our current energy crisis well help pour capital into companies like Lion which will help develop the new technologies required to achieve our goal of energy independence.
Filed in Electric Car, Energy-Independence, Lion Electric Vehicles
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Also tagged batteries, battery, battery pack, economy, Electric, electric vehicles, Energy, energy crisis, Energy-Independence, Escape, Ford, ford escape, hybrid, hybrids, technology changes, US
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