Just found this showing the interior of the Aptera: OhGizmo! » Archive » Aptera Electric/Hybrid Car On Pre-Order for $500

I've a Mini Cooper. It's small and gets fantastic mileage. I'd say it's a green car. :D

I've a Mini Cooper. It's small and gets fantastic mileage. I'd say it's a green car. :D

And just what does a Mini Cooper get tooling around trafalgar square in London?:bobby: And is it Green?

 

Why this is important: CO2 Now | CO2 Home

It's really not about giving up the comforts and perks we all enjoy in life, but rather a matter of using smart technologies and better layouts to get the "hot pizza and cold beverage" we all want, but with much greater efficiency and with energy sources that do much much less harm to the environment.

After all, Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion was a huge car, and it achieved 30 MPG (today's better efficiency) in 1932! A car built to maximize efficiency today could well achieve over 100 MPG, be build stronger and lighter, better able to withstand impacts, and made of more earth-friendly materials. Or be electric with lithium-iron batteries, perhaps with just a backup engine for the long hauls.

I was watching a special on PBS about Origami, and began to wonder if crumple zones could be improved with a meshing of Origami design and reinforced bio-polymer materials..

Have you guys seen "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Capitalism: A Love Story | Watch Free Documentary Online

Capitalism Hits the Fan A Marxian View

Something broadly dysfunctional about our capitalistic economic system perhaps, which leads to concentrated power and wealth in the hands of the few, which delays progress on the ecological and social problems we face. But maybe I'm just cynical or paranoid about things, I dunno.

Just because GM invested over a billion dollars to develop the electric car a few years ago, then promptly recalled them all and had them crushed into little bitty cubes, well hey, nothing could possibly be amiss there!:laugh3:

:whaaat:

 

 

:botoxlips:

 

hellooo Mr. Chuckaluck, where u been ?

What have I been up to? Oh, this and that, not much really! How about you?:)

Some really great things happening with 100 MPG+ cars:

Progressive Automotive X PRIZE

A tour around the X-Prize winning Edison2 Very Light Car (video) -- Engadget

Alternative Energy Info Site, pretty cool to see things coalescing in places: Electric 2 wheeled Aptera 2e on sale in 2011?

And sooner than that, give the Chevrolet Volt a look if you like: 2011 Chevy Volt | Electric Car | Chevrolet

Are there any econimical cars that are actually fast?, I can get a new lease soon.

Are there any econimical cars that are actually fast?, I can get a new lease soon.

Economical in terms of mileage, or economical in terms of initial cost?

If price isn't a big deal to you, and you like sports cars, there's the Tesla model S roadster - all electric: Tesla Motors | Premium Electric Vehicles

 

I suppose you could wait a year or so if you wanted to and get an Aptera Electric 2 wheeled Aptera 2e on sale in 2011? and customize it to have a higher top speed, better acceleration just by changing some parameters and settings.. It tops out at 90 mph, but that limitation is probably a factory setting; with its .15 drag coefficient, a weight around 1700 pounds (770 kilograms), and a low center of gravity, it has the potential for a high top speed and fantastic acceleration - perhaps the hybrid version coming out in late 2011 will offer this extra capability. You could change the motor - put in a torquier one, rewire the batteries for fast power output, and plan on more frequent charging.

I get a car on lease as I get a really good deal as I know someone in the leasing company so I can't really start customizing a car I have to give back in a year to three years time! plus a Tesla isn't nearly mainstream enough to be on thier list :(.

Nissan Leaf is what you need :)

Yes, the Nissan Leaf looks like an excellent choice, getting the equivalent of 99 MPG, with a range of around 100 miles between charges, and the batteries are expected to last 10 years with 80% of their original charging capacity, which sounds good.

Nissan Leaf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I keep thinking of the big picture, and seeing the problems with typical plastics and other synthetic chemicals used in the autos we drive, I am hoping we see a transition to more biopolymers and biopolymer composites: poster_LiY.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Or check out the new Aptera 2, coming soon hopefully!

Aptera 2 Series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aptera has 2.2 X the efficiency of the Nissan Leaf!

 

And an interesting rounder site from the UK on Biodiesel:

Press News interesting | BioDiesel-UK

I feel it's a part of the solution, when efficiency and better layouts for transportation make driving less necessary and less fuel consumptive!

Yes, the Nissan Leaf looks like an excellent choice, getting the equivalent of 99 MPG, with a range of around 100 miles between charges, and the batteries are expected to last 10 years with 80% of their original charging capacity, which sounds good.

Nissan Leaf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I keep thinking of the big picture, and seeing the problems with typical plastics and other synthetic chemicals used in the autos we drive, I am hoping we see a transition to more biopolymers and biopolymer composites: poster_LiY.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

Expected to last 10 years, and that is the problem with electric cars at the moment. Whats to say that in 12/13 years time when the batteries in your Leaf need replacing that replacement batteries are available for a reasonable fee?

Expected to last 10 years, and that is the problem with electric cars at the moment. Whats to say that in 12/13 years time when the batteries in your Leaf need replacing that replacement batteries are available for a reasonable fee?

All new things have trial periods, yes. If the charging is mostly slow charging, and all the testing and design does what is expected of it, performance & life of the batteries should follow suit.

If the batteries last a little longer (or one can deal with let's say 70% battery capacity and still go the places one wants to go), perhaps in 12 or 13 years the replacement batteries will be reasonably priced - if mass production reduces the cost per unit, and the basic chemicals and production of the batteries is reasonable in price. Yes, batteries are pricey, I agree - something like 18,000 USD or 11,200 Pounds, but the prices are expected to drop to half that as demand increases and mass production reduces costs. Considering the materials they are made of - compounds of lithium, manganese, phosphate, iron; then plastics, electrolyte solutions, & conductor metals - price reductions should reflect more the cost of manufacturing than raw material costs. One might even see replacement batteries in a decade or so that employ even more compact and lower-cost materials in their design that have a greater reliability and lifespan. Carbon nanotube cells for instance could be available by then, or some other technology that is in the pipeline.

In my mind a mostly battery-driven hybrid design makes sense, since most commutes are 15 miles / 24 kilometers or less, it may be more cost-effective to have fewer battery reserves and a very efficient engine generator system for the infrequent but long trips.

 

 

 

Hydrogen is the way forward

Mercedes have really done well with thier new 5.5 V8 bi-turbo for fuel economy, 26.9 MPG from something with nearly 600 horsepower.

I shall await being told off by Chuck for encouraging this engine:P.

Mercedes have really done well with thier new 5.5 V8 bi-turbo for fuel economy, 26.9 MPG from something with nearly 600 horsepower.

I shall await being told off by Chuck for encouraging this engine:P.

:lol:Whaddaya need 600 horsepower for? Are you pulling really big granite blocks from a quarry up a hill to a railroad siding, or what?:laugh3: I assume this is a Mercedes tractor rig for an OTR tractor-trailer.. ?

Better mileage yes (relative to the enormity of the auto), but the concept misses the mark methinks. If you want faster acceleration, make the car light and strong, the tires grippier, the aerodynamics better. And electric motors have oodles of torque, so it's a matter of getting fast battery / supercapacitor output coupled with a torquey electric motor and efficient drive train (see the lovely Tesla sports car for a good idea of what's possible) in order to achieve that off-the-mark acceleration one desires.

It's like trying to accelerate an elephant vs. a cheetah - to get a sports version of the elephant, it takes one heck of a lot of muscles and energy, whereas the cheetah is sleek, light, maneuverable, and doesn't need the 600 horses to get up to speed.

Which brings up the often not mentioned issue of human psychology & profitability relative to consumer automotive choices. That's the real issue methinks.

 

Here is what Mercedes is capable of: Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car concept modelled on Boxfish! News and photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz Bionic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ha Chuck- check out my son's choice of ride in the pics thread !:P

:lol:Whaddaya need 600 horsepower for? Are you pulling really big granite blocks from a quarry up a hill to a railroad siding, or what?:laugh3: I assume this is a Mercedes tractor rig for an OTR tractor-trailer.. ?

Better mileage yes (relative to the enormity of the auto), but the concept misses the mark methinks. If you want faster acceleration, make the car light and strong, the tires grippier, the aerodynamics better. And electric motors have oodles of torque, so it's a matter of getting fast battery / supercapacitor output coupled with a torquey electric motor and efficient drive train (see the lovely Tesla sports car for a good idea of what's possible) in order to achieve that off-the-mark acceleration one desires.

It's like trying to accelerate an elephant vs. a cheetah - to get a sports version of the elephant, it takes one heck of a lot of muscles and energy, whereas the cheetah is sleek, light, maneuverable, and doesn't need the 600 horses to get up to speed.

Which brings up the often not mentioned issue of human psychology & profitability relative to consumer automotive choices. That's the real issue methinks.

 

Here is what Mercedes is capable of: Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car concept modelled on Boxfish! News and photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz Bionic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

On no it's not from a tractor it's in thier new CLS AMG:

 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Mercedes-CLS63-AMG-2011-CAR-review/

 

Don't worry it's too expensive for me anyway!:P, I know it's hardly green but at least it's a slight step in the right direction, if cars didn't weigh so much I'm sure that the same kind of performance would be obtainable with far less power, just sadly because of all the saftey and comfort features around today they seem to weigh loads.

On no it's not from a tractor it's in thier new CLS AMG:

 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Mercedes-CLS63-AMG-2011-CAR-review/

 

Don't worry it's too expensive for me anyway!:P, I know it's hardly green but at least it's a slight step in the right direction, if cars didn't weigh so much I'm sure that the same kind of performance would be obtainable with far less power, just sadly because of all the saftey and comfort features around today they seem to weigh loads.

>> Sure, "a slight step in the right direction" - the dinosaurs probably said the same thing, with predictable results. :sunny: Well, at least the birds made it out of the Jurassic period.. light and strong, well protected animals that they are.

The safety vs. lightness issue is an obstacle to overcome, but today we can do better - if an eagle can come crashing down on a rabbit, it seems that we can make a vehicle that's both light and safe - whether the auto makers want to retool their factories is another matter though.. much of today's designs are built around the current manufacturing methods, so I think that's what is slowing down change. New designs = expensive retooling. What about the Mercedes Bionic? Any thoughts on that?

 

(and just where are those pics, miss Kels? )

In the pics thread, Mr Chuk.:P

Heard about the big protest today.

In the pics thread, Mr Chuk.:P

Heard about the big protest today.

YAY!! It's a global uprising! :)

(car related thing - government research on lithium batteries: Batteries - Home