Electricnick, The EV Revolution

Here is part 2 of our electric vehicle, EV daily news and related stories around the world.

Tesla Asking For Funds.  Obviously, why not the smaller startups that already have EVs out the door?  Tesla has already asked the DoE 2 years back for funds when applying for the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  According to Earth2Tech, the difference with the $25 billion direct-loan package is that it is open to a range of energy technologies, is not meant for research and development, and requires borrowers to pay the the government’s expected long-term liability for issuing the guarantee, or subsidy cost.  The only problem is the inherently slow government process to approve the applicants.

Miles Highway Speed Getting Closer.  Back in July, we wrote about Miles and their tentative sedan.  According to Jalopnik, the sedan is getting closer to fruition.  The gist, the Highway Speed will be a Chinese Hafei Saibao 3 converted to 100% electric, which has passed European safety standards.  Using a 37 KW lithium iron phosphate battery pack, good for a 100 range, do 0 to 60mph in 8.2 seconds and a top speed over 80.  The price? Mid to high $30,000.

After Gas Hybrids, Here are Hydrolic Hybrids.  One of the most amazing side-effect the energy and financial crisis have spun is a slew of innovation and think outside the box revolutions, such as hydrolic hybrids, HEV.  According to the Mineapolis Daily, hydraulic hybrids store energy in the form of compressed gas, but if electric HEV stores energy more efficiently, hydraulic HEVs could be more powerful.

Washington vs Detroit News Update. Amongst news, such as the mediatic and symbolic work-for-$1-salary for the Detroit auto CEOs, another more interesting one would be to have the ailing companies work under the supervision of a federal oversight board, according to CNN Money.  March 31 was agreed as the deadline to come back to lawmakers to demonstrate their efforts.  On a less positive note, the chief economist at Moody’s, Zandi, told lawmakers he believed the ultimate price tag to taxpayers would be between $75 billion and $125 billion.

Award FUD Headliner! Today’s FUD, fear, uncertainty and doubt headliner award goes to none other than the predictable Detroit News publication with: “California Wants To Raid Big 3 Bailout Cash For Green Cars”.  Raid made us smile and we would laugh, if it wasn’t so serious.  And as for the opening question: “Think the $25 billion is to help save the Big Three automakers and preserve manufacturing facilities essential to national security?”  Sorry to disappoint you, but many people think it should be distributed to companies that employ Americans in America by producing American alternative cars in America.  Was that ever clearer?  As for the “long-simmering hostilities between the California and Michigan”, it is most likely due to the fact that the “Big 3″ have been suing California for trying to rise the environment health level of its citizen.  Sorry Detroit News, it is a national crisis.  Please look beyond your own backyard.  We are talking about a nation’s entire population’s tax paying money to help the nation, not just one area.  But then again, it would require that you come and see how everyone struggles, not just you.

That’s it for todays part 2 of our coverage on electric cars and related stories, worldwide.  Writing in an impartial way to leave it to you, reader, to make up your mind.