Washington DC

There is much at stake for the U.S. this year as it tries to disentangle itself from a poor economy and embrace the electric drive.  What lies ahead?

The gist is that the position the U.S. once had globally economy is challenged.  With a new world busying introducing alternative energy and the electridrive, much of the political debate in the U.S. has boiled down to sterile and pointless ideological rhetoric.  What America needs now is union and a will to move on.

Alternative Energy, A Way Into The Future.  Roosevelt transformed the US during the Great Depression, Eisenhower started the interstate highway system and created the car culture.  Microsoft, Apple, Netscape and Google started the information economy and now the new administration has to transform the U.S. into a green economy leader.

However producing green goods, electric vehicle EV, and making the grid a smart one while being a battery manufacturer is no small task.  The real question is can the U.S. catch up with Germany in terms of manufactured products, now bested by China, or with Denmark, a country that derives most of its electricity from alternatives?

Look West Young Man.  The U.S. is still at a stage where it can save the game.  California is still home to automaker research on EVs.  It is home to alternative energy and green cleantech but its economy is in shambles.

The only thing that stands in America’s way is… America.  Politics has dragged debates to a standstill.  Instead of building up to face the competition, both parties fire endless rhetoric while the rest of the world is taking the advantage to move on.  The first few months of this year will probably shape the face of the U.S. for the next few decades.  If it reverts to what once made a strong country, hard work and ingenuity, it can compete again.  If it insists on squabbling, then its place on the global scale will be diminished.

For further reading; ScienceCareers, SydneyMorningHerald.

Tesla Model S

This post fell through the crack of the Holiday rush and excitement, so without any further delay here is our 2010 electric drive predictions…

The gist is that if 2009 was the rebirth on the promise of the electric drive, 2010 is where the rubber meets the road.  2009 have seen a string of technological breakthroughs and enticing concepts that have even turned around the staunches nay sayers.

The Obvious Predictions First.  The obvious predictions we can make are the following, energy storage will continue to increase, electric vehicles, EV will become more and more mainstream, car makers will offer more and more concepts, some will be vaporware, others real and the alternative energy field will grow, as well as smart grids.

Car Makers That Get It.  There are a few car makers that stood above the crowd in 2009, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Tesla Motors, and Fisker Automotive.  We can sense the consolidation of these maker’s image as 2010 unfolds.  Fisker Automotive will unveil its Nina prototype that will directly rival GM’s Volt.  Tesla Motors will show a few working prototypes of its Model S.  Ford and Nissan will continue to prepare the respective Focus EV and Leaf, while developing their other cars.

Technologies That Makes It.  In this department alternative energy and clean tech is going to continue its upward trend.  The global financial instability has pushed investor to become a little more rational (please stop laughing, we are all hoping) and funds are moving towards cleaner technologies.  We will see more and more mergers and acquisitions as well as a few IPO, namely Tesla Motors and A123 Systems look like very probable candidates.

Anything else?  Let us know what you see for this year.

Tesla Roadster number 1

Here is a look at what is happening in the electric drive world.

• Tesla Motors Working With Panasonic.  Now that Panasonic has been cleared to merge Sanyo into its core business, it has not wasted any time to announce a partnership with Tesla Motors on the next generation battery cells, according to EarthTimes.  The gist, using Panasonic’s Nickel-based Lithium ion chemistry.  Goodbye laptop batteries, hello professional EV grade ones.
• Cleantec Energy Stocks 2010.  If 2009 is anything to gauge, 2010 should see cleantec energy stocks go up, according to RechargeNews.  It makes sense as investors look for the next big thing.  Hopefully, this around they will not kill the golden goose.
• The Case For PHEVs Incentives… In Certain Cases.  No need to beat a dead horse but incentives for the adoption of plug-in hybrids, PHEV is a hot debate.  Equally important, not every region or everyone will benefit the same by adopting it early.  A recent study by Energy Policy came to the conclusion that giving consumers who live and drive in regions where the social benefits of electric–boosted cars are strongest, and recognizing the circumstances of consumers – such as their income, life stage and family size – gives PHEVs a better shot at both sales and environmental and energy security effectiveness, via EurekaAlerts.

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more.

National research Council

The National research Council latest report on the feasibility of plug-in hybrids, PHEV has sparked controversy.  Sticking to the point can help clear it out.

The gist is numbers and reports have been used to draw conclusions that are sometime more extrapolations than reality.  Nonetheless, NRC‘s report highlighted pitfalls everyone knows about or at the very least, should be aware.

The NRC Report.  For $46 you can read the report here.  Indeed, the report does point to the Achille Heel of the electric drive, battery cost.  We are still in the infancy of EVs and PHEVs, where no battery type de facto standard has been agreed upon.  Therefore, prices will continue to be high until we start mass manufacturing them.

Taking A Step Back.  Having said this, a blog by the name of GreenAndSave takes the intelligent position of rationalizing the reactions and getting to the essential.  For instance, a 2008 report from NRC found that PHEVs had the potential of using no gasoline in cities, thus not only lowering consumption but curbing pollution.

Another point of contention is the cost per kilowatt, kWh.  If the NRC reports a range of $1250 to 2000 per kWh of usable battery energy, the Department of Energy uses $400 to $800 per usable kWh numbers, while the California Air Resources Board sees $580 to $800 per usable kWh as more appropriate.

In the end, it is a question of wait and see while letting technology and production sort out the kinks.  As far as the numbers, we believe there is probably a just middle in between those mentioned above.  In the meantime, NRC does point to one inevitability, all of this will not happen without strong government initiatives and financial backing.  And we can already hear the political uproar.  Let us keep in mind that while we argue, other nations are taking this advantage.

Gordon Murray's electric T.27

Decidedly, today is electric vehicle, EV mileage and energy consumption day.

The gist is that the EV world is eager to not fall into the traps internal combustion engines, ICE fell into.  Fuel mileage vary, ETA estimates are just that, estimates and no one really believes anything leaving a consumer based in cynicism than cold hard facts about the range and fuel consumption of cars.

Edmunds To The Rescue.  Edmunds is taking it upon themselves to also ask the government to do something about ranking actual true mileage based upon a simple, straight forward way, how much energy is used to go a certain distance.  According to USAToday, the Environmental Protection Agency is working on formulas to accurately inform how fuel-efficient EVs are.  Not only is this good news but the best part is that consumers will then be able to compare them with other types of cars, gas and otherwise.  The “miles per gallon”, MPG debates, especially for EVs and to some extent for plug-in hybrids, PHEV is ludicrous.  An EV does not use gasoline and a PHEV does once in a while.  MPG could only be gauged when the PHEV functions with its engine on.

Edmunds feels the EPA has to come up with a cost-to-operate figure that lets consumers compare the price of energy for their vehicle, regardless of what type.  It not only makes sense and is what we have been saying for well over a year.  EPA estimates are just that, estimates.  They are done in perfect lab conditions that do no reflect real life driving.  The question for EV’s is even more complicated as electricity can be bought cheaply at night, or higher during the day, as well as driving habits and environment obviously effect performance.

All in all, it seems there is a growing concern and push for more accurate data.  It seems for once, something is happening that has not in a long time, groups are pressing officials to act and find systems that reflect reality, not estimates.

Peugeot Eotion

Here is a quick scan at what is happening worldwide with electric car and related stories.

• Nissan and Showa Shell, Quick Charging Stations. Nissan and the Japanese Shell branch, Showa have agreed to work together on designing a quick charging stations, according to the German Swiss site Wattghetab.  The  joint development is a commissioned project with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry that looks to maximize the use of solar energy in order for the widespread adoption of EVs.  Yes, petroleum companies are eager to paint a greener face these days.  As long as they help the environment.
• Pininfarina BlueCar EV Still Due 2011.  It always good to hear that an EV is still on track.  Pininfarina and Bollore as still on track to deliver the BlueCar by 2011, according to FutureCars.
• Tesla Motors Model S Has Swappable Batteries.  While covered this here, AllCarsElectric also confirms.  According to outgoing Michael Donoughe, engineering chief at Tesla, the Model S was designed with battery pack swap in mind but nothing with Better Place.
• Green Energy ETFs Are Growing Everyday.  Our sister publication ETFTrends has also published a report on green ETFs gaining momentum.
• Volts Without.  Interesting rumor mill story on AutoBlogGreen that we missed at AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, GM’s Dave Barthmuss said GM is considering selling motorless Chevy Volt, i.e. without a powertrain to people wanting to convert it to pure electricity.  More on that to follow.

That’s it.  Stay tuned for more.

Toyota EV iQ

Here is a look at what is happening in the electric car world and other related topics.

• 3rd Annual Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase.  On October16, that’s in 3 days, the 3rd Annual Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase will be at Sacramento State University Union from 9 am to 5 pm.  To register, click here.
• Recap From The Global Renewable Energy Forum in Mexico.  The three-day Global Renewable Energy Forum in Mexico, organized with the Mexican Ministry of Energy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO reports interesting numbers: 75% of the planet’s energy is in the 20 largest cities with more than 10 million people. By 44% more energy predicted by 2030 but 1/5th of the world’s population has no electricity, thermal energy for heat and cooking, and mechanical power for productive uses.  Via GreenBang.
• CO2 Scrubbing Artificial Trees.  You might have heard of the idea of building artificial trees that would recapture CO2?  According to TreeHugger, it is not a complete solution.  Our thoughts?  Does it even answer the original problem of polluting too much?
• Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid.  Suzuki is working on a plug-in hybrid, PHEV concept, according to the Independent.  It will use lithium-ion batteries and be able to rund 10 to 15 miles, 20Km on electricity alone.
• VW Golf TwinDrive PHEV.  VW has been toying with a Golf TwinDrive Plug-in hybrid prototype it introduced in mid-2008 and AllCarsElectric got its hands on it.  The verdict?  Great, using a diesel engine and better than GM’s Volt.
• Volvo Set To Bring Diesel PHEV In The U.S..  According to the AutoNews, Volvo is ready to export PHEV diesels i the U.S..

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more.

• Fisker Gets $528.7 Million In Loans.  You know this probably has set the entire GM headquarter abuzz.  News of Fisker getting $528.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, DoE with the goal of making the Nina, the sub-$40,000 plug-in hybrid, PHEV, according to ShareBuilder.  So why has it probably got GM nervous?  Fisker is a much more nimbler player who could get its Nina out before the Volt.
• BYD Strikes A Deal In Spain.  Chinese car maker BYD has struck a deal with Spanish distributor Grupo Bergé to import its electric vehicles, EV and hybrids, HEV to the country, via AutoBlogGreen.  Why is it important? BYD just got closer to the U.S., they are actually halfway across the globe.
• Utilities To Pay For Battery Packs? If that is not good news, than we do not know what else will move you.  In a recent investor conference, John Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said grid operators and power companies could reimburse car owners for the battery storage offered by the roughly 22 hours a day that electric cars would be connected to the nation’s power system, via PhysOrg. Now this opens up an entire new can of worms for leasing companies and the hydrogen community.

That’s it for now.  Stay tuned for more as we ponder on EEStor’s latest move and ZENN announcement…

Subaru electric prototype s3r

And to prove there is life outside of the Frankfurt Auto Show for electrics, hybrids and alternative energy, here is what is happening worldwide.

• Jay Leno’s Electric Ford Focus Show.  It has a pretty good sound to it.  Drew Barrymore made it around the track in 54 seconds, which is not bad considering she does not have a driver’s license.  Via MNN.
• Electric Vehicle & Clean Alternative Energy.  The chicken or the egg dilemma is finally coming to a resolution as electric vehicles, EV are really the force behind a push for clean, renewable alternative energy… at least, according to the Guardian.  Could not agree more.
• Hong Kong Buys 10 iMiEVs.  A while back we reported the Hong Kong government was studying whether or not to buy EVs from Mitsubishi.  The City bought 10, according to TradingMarkets.
• 10 EVs That Won The Frankfurt Auto Show’s Heart.  Can you guess which 10 EVs stole the show at the Auto Show?  Obviously the Tesla Motors Roadster, but also the Nissan Leaf, the Ford electric Focus, the electric Mini, the eventual Trabant (pictured below), Toyota’s plug-in hybrid, PHEV Prius, Audi’s electric e-tron and BMW’s beautiful EfficientDynamics, as well as VW’s e-motion, via TreeHugger.  Would you have expected any less?
  

  The Trabant electric

• U.S. Could Take A Queue From Europe On Energy Efficiency.  While this title might make a few smirk, this new study from RAND after studying European Union and Australia’s energy management have found the U.S. could further reduce its energy use, via PhysOrg.

That’s it for now.  Stay tuned as we look at our last part on choosing your batteries wisely.

• Korean CT&T Eyes Japan And U.S..  A small Korean electric car maker called CT&T is getting ready to introduce to Japan and the U.S., according to Edmunds.  Their City EV and e-Zone are already in Japan, and will be exported to the U.S., while Innodesign will bring their City over to the U.S..  The e-Zone’s top speed is 37 mph and its range 75 miles, fully rechargeable in four hours with a 30 mn quick charge.
• McDonald’s Plugs In.  If McDonald’s has not been associated with healthy foods in the past, it will do its best to help electric vehicle, EV and plug-in hybrid, PHEV drivers to recharge while parked at their fast food chain, according to TreeHugger.  Interesting.
• EV Fun At The Mason-Dixon Dragway.  Finally the allure of racing EVs is coming as Maryland’s Mason-Dixon Dragway entertained quiet but powerful EVs around its track.  The winner?  A Tesla Roadster, clocking in at 103.9 miles per hour, via PostAndCourrier.
• Old Brit Gets Jolted.  Sacrilegious or inevitable greening?  A 1972 MGB finds new life after exchanging her once then performing 4 banger for a healthier electric engine after its owner, Professor Roger Dougal lets his students put an AC motor with a custom driveshaft and a bank of 100 supercapacitors, soon to be followed with lithium batteries.  Via Gas2.

That’s it for now.  Stay tuned for more.