(no subject)

It still ticks me a little that there is no real electric car solution out there in the year 2008. As I consider someday to have a 40 mile commute each way, 5 days a week, I'm looking into the best vehicle to do that at least 7 out of 12 months of the year.

Sure there are the hybrids, but why go halfway? Why not all electric?

It's 2008 there should be an affordable electric car that will reach 70 mph with a range of 120 miles. It's just plain stupid that there is not. I did some math at say $5.00 per gallon, a base price $20,000 hybrid would still only net a $800 saving per year over a $11,000 cracker-box in fuel savings for the commute I have in mind.

Then there is that $35,000 EV death trap hippy-mobile that would save $2,100 in gas, and cost about $500 in electric for a $1,600 savings that does not offset the extra cost of the car. Also it does not have enough range to complete a round trip with out charging on both ends. For $35,000 it should go 100 mph, have a range of 200 miles and cook breakfast every morning.

Then there is the fuel cell, the whole hydrogen thing. The hydrogen fuel will be at least as expensive as gas, the first production model is who knows when, and the cars will probally start in the $50,000 range.

Then there is corn ethanol. A fuel you need to use almost as much energy to refine the fuel as you get in return burning it in a car. That and everyone is so nuts about making corn ethanol the price of corn is as bad as a barrel of oil.

But there is some good things in the ethanol department, such as what's happening in Brazil, they've got it right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil

I'm not against either hybrids, corn ethanol, fuel cell or mega-dollar EVs, but the cost justification on each sucks, even when using $5.00 per gallon.

Be realistic folks, we're American's. If we could get $0.99 per gallon gas by wallowing naked in pig shit in public every morning WE WOULD.

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But these guys have the right idea. The old EV conversion thing, in this case a Geo Metro conversion. The range and speed is still a little too low, but this is using standard car batteries, Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lithium-ion or Lithium polymer will make a real difference. If these kits can get to 120 miles at a peak 70mph this looks like a winner.

Complete turn-key EV starting at $3495.00 to $7,500.00 for a finished vehicle depending on the kit installed.

About 1 hour driving at 45-65 mph with a standard t-105 (or similar 220AH-6V) battery pack of 72 vdc (12 batteries).

http://www.e-volks.com/about.html2.html

(no subject)

We have a hispanic fellow who has worked here for a little while. Over a Nextel or radio his voice reminds me so much of a truck driver named Carlos I knew back when I loaded trucks in our shipping department.

Whenever Carlos got into CB range of the office the CB would crackle to life. You would then be treated to a heavy Mexican accent stating "Ayyyyyeee, this is your mexican superhero". This would be followed by his current location, lewd reports of over the road sexual encounters, clips from Hustler's "asshole of the month", the last pair of large breasts sighted, and unending claims of exaggerated penis performance.