New posts from Gas 2.0!

New iPhone App Crowdsources EV Charging
While Florida Litigates, Japan Launches New “Hayabusa” Bullet Train
Austrian Oil Burners in the Sky

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 04:05 PM PST

Even though there is electricity everywhere, electric vehicles supposedly face an uphill battle without a formal "charging infrastructure." But a new app for the iPhone crowdsources private outlets for public EV charging.

The app is called Plugshare, and in addition to providing you with the locations of public charging stations, also informs you of people who may be willing to lend you some juice from their own outlets. The app even lets you contact other Plugshare members who may be willing to let you plug in to their outlets if you're in need of some juice.

Car communities are very tight nit groups of enthusiasts, whether you're talking about Mustangs and muscle cars or electric vehicles. To get the most out of this app, you've got to create an account, which allows you to contact other members if you're in need of a charge. Since it was just released this week (and not for the Droid, BOO) there aren't many people on board. Yet. But this app will be pivotal in connecting EV drivers with one another, and fostering that sense of community so key to all successful automobiles.

Many places are working on installing a proper EV infrastructure, but until then, many EV drivers may have to rely upon the kindness of the EV community to make their commute.

Yeah, there's an app for that.

Source: Wired | Plugshare

While Florida Litigates, Japan Launches New “Hayabusa” Bullet Train

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 09:00 AM PST

While Republicans continue to rail against high-speed trains, pining for the good old days when party founder Abe Lincoln was a railroad lawyer, Japan continues to advance into the 21st century.

The latest: the thin-nosed Hayabusa (“Falcon”) bullet train debuted last week, making its 300 kilometre per hour (186 mph) run from Tokyo to Aomori at the far northern tip of Honshu in three hours and 10 minutes.

The luxurious trip aimed at the tourist trade will cost $320 US, and treat travelers to business-class amenities as they glide through Japan’s gorgeous, mountainous north country. (And Japan East Railway even brags that they’re being environmentally friendly while they do it!)

The island nation has been building their network of high-speed Shinkansen trains since the 1960s. That puts the US nearly 50 years behind, but the current Tea Party-inspired crop of GOP governors have taken an ideological dislike to anything rail.

First it was New Jersey’s Chris Christie turning down Federal money for an improved rail connection with Manhattan; next Ohio’s John Kasich and Wisconsin’s Scott Walker rejected Federal money for high-speed rail in their states.

Most recently, Florida’s Rick Scott rejected $2.4 billion in funds for high-speed rail between Tampa and Orlando, even though the deal had been negotiated by his Republican predecessors and Republicans in the State Legislature wanted the project to happen. They went to court trying to force Scott to back off and get out of the way, but on Friday the court declined.

"Based on the limited record before the Court and a review of the federal and state law relied on by the parties, the Court has determined that the petitioners have not clearly demonstrated entitlement to quo warranto, mandamus, or any other relief," the court said. "Accordingly, the emergency petition is hereby denied."

So Americans will continue to toddle along at 19th-century speeds, while the Japanese fly along the tracks at 180 mph and the Chinese claim a regular speed of 220 mph and top out at a dizzying 302 mph.

It looks like California will get some of Florida’s rejected rail money, as it received some of the rejected Wisconsin and Ohio money… assuming any of it survives the current frenzy of budget-cutting. A similar slasher fate may be in store for the additional $53 billion President Obama plans to request.

Image: AFP/Getty

More on high speed rail:

Austrian Oil Burners in the Sky

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 07:05 AM PST

Most people don’t think “light” when they think of diesels. In the US, especially, the word “diesel” is almost synonymous with dually pickups and farm equipment. That’s changing, of course, with cars like the TDI Volkswagens. Even within enthusiast circles, though, diesel engines still conjure up images of cast-iron engine blocks weighing hundreds of pounds more than their all-aluminum gasoline counterparts … which is a really long way to go for “there aren’t a lot of diesel aircraft engines”.

Still, there aren’t a lot of diesel aircraft engines – and for exactly that reason. Diesels are traditionally ~~heavy~~ robust, in order to handle the rigors of long-term, high-boost, high-compression running.

Now, the Austro Engine company is joining forces with Steyr to build a new, lightweight, diesel aircraft engine based on the Steyr M1 marine engine. The new six-cylinder diesel will bump the M1′s output by 110 hp. Diamond Aircraft's new DA50 (pictured, above) will be the first aircraft to use the new engine – which will be followed up with a twin-engined diesel in the coming months.

Diamond expects the diesel-powered DA50 will be available to customers by the end of the year.

Source: Wired.