Posted on 07/04/2008 7:20:48 AM PDT by Son House
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senators Debbie Stabenow, Amy Klobuchar and David Sandalow, an energy expert from the Brookings Institute, held a press conference today to showcase new automotive technologies that can help reduce our dependence on oil. With oil and gas prices expected to remain at record highs in the near future, rapid technological innovations in the transportation sector are critically important to help reduce energy costs, end our nation’s addiction to oil and reduce global warming pollution.
“We need a clean energy revolution to unleash our brightest and most creative scientists, engineers and corporate leaders because we cannot afford the status quo any longer,” Reid said. “These cars are a great start. They represent the kind of innovation that America desperately needs to cure our addiction to oil and reduce the risks of global warming.”
Said Stabenow: “We are on the verge of a revolution in transportation, where the right investments today can free us from our dependence on foreign oil, reduce carbon emissions, and create quality, good-paying jobs here at home. Without these critical investments we are in serious danger of moving from a dependence on foreign oil, to a dependence on foreign technology.”
“New hybrid and electric technologies are vital in helping families cope with skyrocketing gas prices,” Klobuchar said. “It is exciting to see the next generation technologies that will transport America into a bold new energy future. This is the type of innovation that will spur new industries and jobs to strengthen our economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Said Sandalow: “Driving on electricity costs the equivalent of 75 cents per gallon. These plug-in electric cars are a game-changing technology. They cut driving costs, break our oil addiction and reduce pollution.”
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VEHICLE DETAILS
1. Tesla Roadster (http://www.teslamotors.com/)
Tesla Motors designs and sells high-performance, highly efficient electric sports cars — with no compromises. Tesla Motors cars combine style, acceleration, and handling with advanced technologies that make them among the quickest and the most energy-efficient cars on the road.
The battery pack of the Tesla Roadster electric vehicle is one of the largest and technically most advanced Li-ion battery packs in the world. It is capable of delivering enough power to accelerate the Tesla Roadster from 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds. Meanwhile, the battery stores enough energy for the vehicle to travel more than 200 miles (based on EPA city/highway cycle) without recharging, something no production electric vehicle in history can claim.
2. GM Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/)
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is a zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicle that makes no compromises, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds and a top speed of about 100 miles per hour. It seats four, sports 32 cubic feet of cargo volume, and has a range of approximately 160 miles per fill-up based on the new 2008 EPA adjusted measurement. The Equinox Fuel Cell also features many safety systems such as OnStar, four-wheel ABS, traction control, dual airbags and head curtain airbags. The fuel cell system fits within the space of the conventional engine compartment. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which stores energy from the regenerative braking system to increase operating efficiency and boost acceleration when needed, sits under the floor in the middle of the vehicle.
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is a part of “Project Driveway” the world’s largest market test of fuel cell vehicles in 3 cities, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC.
3. University of Delaware (with vehicle to grid display) (www.udel.edu/v2g)
The Mid-Atlantic Grid Interactive Cars Consortium is a research and development group composed of academic and industrial partners to further advance Vehicle-to-Grid technology and demonstration projects. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows for the bidirectional flow of electricity between cars and the electric grid. Grid operators (RTOs or ISOs) are able to communicate with V2G vehicles and use them to control and stabilize constant electricity supply and demand fluctuations. These energy services maintain grid reliability and thus are highly valued by grid operators, who will in turn provide a revenue stream for the owner of the vehicle.
4. Miles EV ZX40S- Advanced Design (www.milesev.com)
Based in Santa Monica, California, Miles Electric Vehicles is a manufacturer of all electric cars and trucks. Their mission is changing the world one car at a time. All MILES vehicles conform to U.S. NHTSA standards and are built with safety and reliability as prime considerations. MILES boasts a prestigious fleet customer base that includes NASA, CalPoly, Stanford University, the U.S. Navy, the National Park Service, and others. Building on its low speed production expertise, MILES plans to launch an all electric, highway speed sedan in late 2009.
5. Commuter Tango
The revolutionary commuter vehicle that combines the speed and agility of a motorcycle with the security and comfort of a sports car. The average commute uses just 4 kWh. That’s the same amount of electricity used to power a 1,500-watt portable heater for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Thus, at $.10 per kWh and gasoline at $3.00 per gallon, the equivalent fuel efficiency of the Tango exceeds 150 mpg, or $.02 per mile. Battery replacement is the largest recurring cost for an electric car. With lead-acid batteries, however, it is similar to the expense of keeping a gasoline-powered car serviced, costing only pennies per mile.
6. Zero X (Dirt Bike)
The Zero X is a silent, all-electric dirt bike that runs on lithium-ion batteries instead of gas. The California-based Zero Motorcycles has started selling these bikes for $6900. Google co-founder Larry Page bought one. The company also has a street-legal commuter bike in the works, which should be released in the coming months. This bike will be slightly larger and more powerful than the Zero X.
Manufacturing;
New coat of paint; ready for retrofit batteries;
SUV Model
Sport Model
Truck ahead, I voted Democrat.....;
I'm sold;
At least the Socialist Party is more honest;
http://www.phillyimc.org/en/node/66384
The world will face certain economic and environmental disasters, including severe food shortages worldwide, if world governments fail to exercise proper controls over the automobile, petroleum and ethanol industries.
There are several major revisions that have been included in the transportation and energy plan that I introduced in April 2007. Under the revised plan, the U.S. government would nationalize the U.S. oil industry, the ethanol industry, and the automobile industry. Over a period of 10 years, the U.S. government would invest $300 billion into the automobile industry manufacturing electric cars; expanding the industry to all areas of the U.S, to include more rural areas.
By January 2010, 90 percent of all automobiles and trucks that are shipped to the U.S. would be restricted to zero emission standards. This requirement would not apply to automobiles and trucks that are manufactured by foreign automakers here in the U.S. By 2015, over half of all new cars and trucks, sold in the U.S. would be required to have zero emission; and by 2020 that requirement would apply to 95 percent of all new vehicles sold nationwide.
Setting politics aside, it would be possible for a majority of working people to have an electric vehicle in their driveway by 2015. Owners of electric vehicles would have convenient charging stations everywhere; at home, work, on roadsides and in grocery store parking lots. Debit cards, with power charging outlets, would be in all public facilities; charging outlets would be available for every home and place of employment.
What do we use to produce more electricity to run these things? They don’t want nuclear. Solar and wind won’t work. We can’t use coal. Harry has vetoed new coalfired plants in Nevada and opposes nuclear power..
There’s more room for luggage in the overhead compartment of a Cessna.
The only way to challenge the rat/marxists is to demand that they do it all.
Bring on the electric car, wind,solar, all the BS energies that won't solve a thing but also bring on drilling everywhere!Bring on nuclear power ease up on regs for drilling, nuke building,drilling and boutique fuels.
Do all that and we will be energy secure in five years. Much of it will be through drilling but let them have their 5% electric cars and wind, who cares.
Sad thing is they don't want energy security for the country only power over the country.
What a piece of crap!
And never bring a drop more gasoline to market, from;
http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=299959&;
Republicans Twice Blocked Creating New Energy Tax Credits. Republicans twice blocked motions to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would extend dozens of expired or expiring tax provisions for one year and create new clean energy-related tax incentives. Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is required to invoke cloture. Motion rejected 50-44: R 3-44; D 45-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #147, HR 6049, 6/10/08; Senate Vote #150, HR 6049, 6/17/08]
Republicans Blocked a Bill that Would Have Cracked Down on Speculation and Price Gouging, Invested in Renewable Energy and Rolled Back Tax Breaks for Oil Companies. Republicans blocked a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would repeal tax benefits for oil companies worth $17 billion over 10 years that were enacted in 2004 and 2005, as well as direct the money to renewable energy. It also would impose a profits tax on the largest oil companies. Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is required to invoke cloture. The motion was rejected 51-43: R 6-41; D 43-2; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #146, S 3044, 6/10/08]
Republicans Blocked Climate Change Bill Which Would Have Set Up a Cap and Trade System and Provided Billions of Dollars for Alternative Energy Development. Republicans blocked a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Boxer, D-Calif., substitute amendment no. 4825 that would cap greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and set up a trading system for companies to buy and sell emissions allowances. Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is required to invoke cloture. A “nay” was a vote in support of the president’s position. The motion was rejected 48-36: R 7-32; D 39-4; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #145, S 3036, 6/6/08]
the democrat answer to the volkswagen. (you can have any color your want as long as it’s black...er, red.)
Reminds me of when Hitler rolled out the Volkswagen. Here, this will keep you peasants happy. Of course, he required a Mercedes, security concerns don’t you know.
When the Democrats roll out a new program, you can be sure that the Commies/Fascists/Socialists have all tried it before with few signs of success.
Reid again;
http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=297648&;
“And fifth, our plan stands up to OPEC and countries who are colluding together to keep oil prices sky-high. Global commerce requires global leadership. Oil producing nations are earning billions of dollars from American consumers. For most of these countries, the oil trade is their overwhelming source of income.
“It’s time to use some diplomatic pressure to increase production and lower prices. The Consumer First Energy Act does exactly what it promises: it ends more than seven years of Bush/Cheney energy policy that has lined the pockets of modern-day oil barons and left the American people to pay the bill.
“Is it a silver bullet? A bill that will solve all of our energy problems? Of course not. The United States has just 3 percent of the world’s oil reserves, but we consume 25 percent of the world’s oil.
.
me
Where does he get his facts at?
I’m interested in the Tesla car. The new sedan they announced yesterday gets approximately 225 miles per charge and can recharge in 3.5 hours. The car they have right now, a speedster, can do 0-60mph in 4 seconds. So, Tesla is onto something.
However, government mandating such cars is utterly bogus. The above listed cars exist because it has become economically feasible to make them and consumers are beginning to demand them. No governmental action required. The free market works. Socialists need not apply.
This reminds me of a joke from the old Soviet bloc:
How do you double the value of a Trabant? (The Trabant was the Communist’s answer to the VW and Citroen.)
Answer: Fill the gas tank.
If brains were dynamite, Fairy Reid and that bunch would not have enough to blow their nose.
Police car
Sports car
SUV
(Democratic Senators, Energy Expert Showcase New Technology [One Car Fits All])
This surprises anyone why?
One size fits all is the basic ideology of the liberalism/socialism preached by Democrats in America.
Healthcare
Social Security
Government School Education
Now Transportation..............
The Dirty Dems have no problem with creating lie after lie, it’s our job to counter them.
Ever notice how Senators can fill the air with speechlike sounds saying nothing?
Democrat supporters obviously don’t have a clue, idiots turned out in record numbers for the primaries, and Pelosi has done nothing to lower the cost of their gasoline.
No government mandate here. They saw an opportunity to make an efficient, usable electric car and are making great strides towards accomplishing that goal. The profit incentive works. Government mandates do not and cannot.
Oh, and it looks nothing like the Yugo and Trabant:
This one could work, people. And some of the other models mentioned by the above article could too. Mr. Reid is claiming credit like he did with Rush's auction of Reid's letter for charity. Remember that? He and his buddies had zip to do with the development of this technology. Zero.
Al Franken was interview on Mn NPR and suggested we would all go to the gas station and just change batteries for fresh ones, where they going to keep all the batteries Al? Big warehouse? And they’ll forklift them out to you, install them, and the new ‘fill-up’ will be about $200, Vote Democrat! [sarcasm intended]
That’s great!
The surprise of the auto truly dawned on me after hearing Al Franken on NPR yesterday, no wonder he failed on Air Amerika.
Reid is typical of all Dems who will vote in lock step to destroy the country in the name of socialism.
You gotta wonder at what price per gallon will they give in, if any?
Trabant
This is the car that gave Communism a bad name. Powered by a two-stroke pollution generator that maxed out at an ear-splitting 18 hp, the Trabant was a hollow lie of a car constructed of recycled worthlessness (actually, the body was made of a fiberglass-like Duroplast, reinforced with recycled fibers like cotton and wood). A virtual antique when it was designed in the 1950s, the Trabant was East Germany's answer to the VW Beetle — a "people's car," as if the people didn't have enough to worry about. Trabants smoked like an Iraqi oil fire, when they ran at all, and often lacked even the most basic of amenities, like brake lights or turn signals. But history has been kind to the Trabi. Thousands of East Germans drove their Trabants over the border when the Wall fell, which made it a kind of automotive liberator. Once across the border, the none-too-sentimental Ostdeutschlanders immediately abandoned their cars. Ich bin Junk!
No way the utility monopolies are going to give it away.
And of course there'll be a government surcharge.
And you're likely going to be driving a "death trap"...unless we lower the speed limit to 20 mph.
IMHO, We have fed China with our imports and businesses...they grew and grew...and guess who gets the short end...not only in "crappy" goods but in the oil market.
We should have invested more in the good old USA. I'm not for isolationism...but transforming the world to USA standards has been forgotten.
Mexico is a good example...It's a pig sty...just like China.
It’s similar to holding out on charitable donations to the poor, Democrats don’t do it so it creates a need for bigger government; Democrats waste gasoline in record amounts to deplete the supply.
I hate to do this now since I'm convinced big changes are coming. We'll probably settle for a lease, solely because I want to be able to move to a plug-in, electric, or whatever in 2-3 years. The current Outlooks and other conventional large SUVs/vans are probably the last of their class. Their resale value is going to be approximately zero within five years.
a “people’s car,” as if the people didn’t have enough to worry about. Trabants smoked like an Iraqi oil fire, when they ran at all
.
Similar to what happens if one runs out of electricity before getting to the battery exchange filling station? Thanks Al Franken, you and the Democrat Majority will really ‘change’ things.
Just don’t tell Springsteen, Sting, and Bono till after the election.
Wait until you get your electric bill!!
.
Going up 30% this summer in Minnesota.
*
And you’re likely going to be driving a “death trap”...unless we lower the speed limit to 20 mph.
.
Right again, Democrats are gnawing at the bit to get back to the Jimmy Carter 55 MPH generation. [truth be told, both mine are older 4 cyl, and not driving over 50 mph keeps the oil consumption down]
No good.
My Honda Pilot (SUV) gets 360 miles per charge (i.e. gas tank fillup) and only takes 0.16 hours (i.e. 10 minutes) to recharge. That's 22 times faster per fillup.
Tesla needs to go back to the drawing board.
Simple question...proved the rechargeable electric vehicle technology becomes feasible, where will we get the electricity needed to recharge them, Is Sen.Amy Klobuchar willing to have more of Minnesota filled with giant windmills or build new nuclear plants?
I’d rather have the option to decide, electric cars are expensive and have a very short history of any reliability.
I’d suggest Toyota or Gm on advice from my Father, there’s more spare parts, and when you go to the parts store you can get them, you don’t have to wait for shipment.
What the ‘community organizer’ can do for you.
Screw Harry Reid, Debbie Stabenow, et al.
Is Sen.Amy Klobuchar willing to have more of Minnesota filled with giant windmills
.
No Nuclear Klobachar, we’ll just have to wait for a windy day before we can recharge you battery, Sir, tent city is over there, they have a cot for you to rest while you wait.
“the benefit of a military education goes a long way...”
i would trade it for $600,000,450,493,563,878,776.43 but not a penny less.
They announced yesterday plans for a $60,000 sedan. Still a little pricey but when you consider the gas savings...
But given the fact that electric car ranges used to be measure in the double digits only, Tesla had made a huge leap in technology here. And with recent developments in nano-tech, battery technology is beginning to see dramatic improvement as well. In addition, one recent nano-tech discovery was a powder that can hold hydrogen with a greater hydrogen density than liquid hydrogen itself. Storage of hydrogen has been the big stumbling block to fuel cells which could power electric cars. With this or follow on discoveries, fuel cells are likely to become viable very soon, thus giving Tesla and other electric cars the same flexibility that your gas powered car has right now. So these cars are a very serious step in the right direction.
The point is, the free market is driving these developments. Not government. Companies that see an opportunity to develop a profitable market are. And while these new technologies haven’t caught up with existing technologies quite yet, they are very nearly there and its all due to free market forces.
Remember when digital cameras were first introduced? They were inferior but because people liked them and wanted them, they bought them. And since people were buying them, digital cameras became better and better at what they did until now, where there is little if any difference in quality between film and digital cameras. Market forces. No government programs needed. The same will happen here. No doubt.
Actually, no extra capacity would be needed for the power grid. Most people would charge their cars at night when electricity usage is at it’s daily low. Now, we would need to generate more energy than before but the grid could handle it because the demand for the extra power would come, for the most part, at a non-peak time.
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