Felix Kramer, founder of the California Cars
Initiative, a nonprofit group that promotes the
use of high-efficiency, low-emission cars, owns
the first consumer plug-in in North America – a
Prius equipped with high-end, lithium-ion batteries.
Not surprisingly, he loves it. “Many days I use
no gasoline, because I go at neighborhood speeds
for under 30 miles, and I’m just all-electric all
day,” he says. “And that means it’s quiet.
“I resent when the gasoline engine comes on,”
Kramer adds. At speeds over 34 mph in the Toyota,
the gasoline engine kicks in. Even so, “At 55
mph, 60% to 70% of the power can come from
electricity,” he says, so the machine is still saving gas.
And the mileage? “At highway speeds, you can
easily get over 100 mpg, plus electricity.” Other
plug-in owners offer up similar results.
“I used to fill up every 400 miles or so,” he
says of life with a regular Prius, “and now I
fill up every 800 miles or so.” His car is
emblazoned with the words “100+MPG.” “I have a
lot of conversations at the gas station,” he says.
Since they’re usually plugged in at night, when
electricity rates are lowest, advocates estimate
that it costs less than $1 per gallon to
replenish a plug-in hybrid. If gasoline costs $3
a gallon, driving most gasoline cars costs
roughly 8 to 20 cents per mile, CalCars
estimates. The cost of a plug-in hybrid for local
travel and commuting drops to 2 to 4 cents per mile, the group says.
The only problem I have with any variation of the electric car is that the electricity is made (at least in the east) using coal burning plants. We’re just subsitituting one form of pollution for another. Now those student engineers who came up with a solar car!!!!
Comment by greyhawk — February 22, 2008 @ 8:07 am
Hawk, thanks for responding to my rather non-controversial piece.
You are correct, and the answers to your complaint are exciting. As I’m sure you know, 76% of France’s electrical power is nuclear power plant produced. But this aside, there is very exciting work going on using the world’s fastest growing plant – algae. This research shows it can be used to produce both diesel and gasoline and on very little land, compared to corn and other stuff.
The $100.00 price for a barrel of oil will result in fantastic advances in energy research. Hand on, it ought to be fun. Grimmy
Comment by grimgold — February 22, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
You can learn more about Bio-Diesel from algae by googling PES-wiki.
I have tried in vain to post links to this and many other alternative fuel source pages.
The Tesla coupe and roadster are to set to debut later this year,
The Tesla cars are 100% electric with a average cruise range of 295 miles.
0-60 MPH in under 6 seconds and will recharge over night at your home and it should sell for around $80,000 US.
Kits are available for purchase of brown gas generators,
a brown gas generator uses electrolysis to free
up hydrogen and oxygen to be injected into a vehicles intake system with the intent of a more complete fuel burn off which results in more power,greater fuel efficiency and lower emmissions and all from tapwater.
Gasoline vehicles enjoy up to 25% better economy and diesels up to 50% better MPG.
Canadian residents benefit from a clean air tax rebate when using these systems.
Rain.
Comment by Rainlander — February 23, 2008 @ 5:28 am
A good laugh can be had watching the BBC show Top Gear, They’re growing their own fuel for use next season.
Again though there is a supply problem, most bio-fuels are using fertilizer made from petro chemicals.
Comment by greyhawk — February 23, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
By the way here’s the world’s worst electric car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv-RMbtKjLU
Comment by greyhawk — February 23, 2008 @ 2:57 pm