Thursday, February 3, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

eStar Electric Van Can Hold 4,000 Pounds, Travel 100 Miles Per Charge

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST

The commercial electric vehicle market is ripe for the picking, and many companies are eager to grab a slice of it. The eStar, built by Navistar, offers a compelling option for those looking to make emissions-free deliveries.

Designed from the ground-up to be an electric delivery van, the eStar has an advantage over major automakers who are trying to convert gas-powered vans to electric power. With a 102 horsepower electric motor and a 4,000 pound carrying capacity, the eStar is "peppy" yet practical, limited to a top speed of just 50mph. In other words, this is a city delivery van, not designed for highway travel despite the 100 mile range. The 80 kWh lithium-ion cassette battery can be charged in just eight hours from a 220v charging station, and the eStar has a rather tight 36-foot turning radius (comparable to a newer two-door Jeep Wrangler, which is actually pretty damn good.)

Depending on the price, the eStar could a serious competitor in the commercial EV market. It's got good visibility, low maintenance and fuel costs, and a huge blank canvas begging to be covered for some mobile advertisement. An intuitive I-Pack screen displays information such vehicle speed, battery charging state, and other info pertinent to driving.

Source: Inhabitat

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

The Windmill Bridge – All Bridges Should Look Like This

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 09:53 AM PST

This gorgeous bridge design is the work of architects Giovanna and Luisa Saracino, who – along with design partner Francesco Colarossi – came in second in a contest intended to promote construction of a bridge connecting Bagnara and Scilla in Italy.

I can’t say why the design didn’t win (although I’d like to see at least one “massive, worldwide OPEC / Illuminati / gray alien conspiracy” in the comments), but a “solar highway” like this one could us the structure of the wind turbine as stressed members and structural support, and surely generate enough wind-power to supply nearby rest-stops and fueling stations, as well as supplement regional homes and businesses.

The innovative turbine bridge’s pedestrian walkway would be covered in electricity-generating solar panels as well as a series of small greenhouses, in a bid to promote local independent growers to set up shop in what would surely become a regional icon.

You can see more of the bridge designer’s ideas in the gallery, below.

500x_solarparkworks1 300-1 300-2 500x_solarparkworks2

Source:  New Italian Blood, via Gizmodo.

The Problem with Auto Brand Home Chargers: Your Ford Volt is Ready

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 07:00 AM PST

Let's say I buy a Chevrolet Volt, and in a few years I sell my home to a Focus Electric owner. Sure, it should still charge your car, but do you want to charge your Ford with a Chevy charger?

The Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, and Ford Focus Electric all use an industry-standard five-prong Level 2 charging ports, so the charging ports are interchangeable. They also all have "convenience cords" that can offer a trickle charge that takes between 8 and 20 hours to completely charge. The problem is the home charging station. Nissan, Ford, and GM are all offering their own branded take on the home charger. These stations cost between $1,000 and $2,000 installed, which shouldn't break the bank, but isn't exactly a negligible sum either, and its a big advertisement for that brand.

Common sense should say any electric charging station should only add to home's property value. However, I’ve met many people who have strong automotive grudges. A lot of people my age still won't give American cars any consideration due to past experiences, even when they come to me for car advice and I try to tell them these cars have gotten better. If you're a member of Generation Y and you see a big ol' Ford symbol glaring back at you every time you pull into your garage with your Nissan Leaf, it could conjure up memories of that time the family Ford Windstar broke down on your way to soccer practice. So do you replace it, or suffer through it?

I'm not saying this is some huge problem that's going to derail electric car acceptance. Not at all. But unless you have one vehicle or another come to completely dominate the EV market, there are going to be a whole slew of home chargers bearing many different brand name. It should be noted that the GM symbol is conspicuously absent from its "Voltec" home charger. Wise move, General.

Even though the Society of Automotive Engineers is still trying to figure out a Level 3 charging standard, it bears asking, will Level 2 charging stations be old news two years from now? It's possible. What then? It's a well documented fact that Americans are rarely satisfied with "good enough," and if you’re stuck with a Level 2 charger while everybody else is getting Level 3 chargers, it could cause charging envy. Another point; as electric vehicle range grows longer, batteries are likely to get bigger, at least in electrical capacity if not physical terms. That could pose its own set of problems.

I guess what I'm saying is, I'm not sure how long the automaker-branded home charger will be around. Maybe one day it will be just another piece of automotive memorabilia, a reminder of the early days of electric vehicle innovation and the dawn of a new era of motoring.

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.
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