Seven Generational Ruminations

Google.org gives electric cars a push, with investments in Aptera and ActaCell Google.org is Google's not-exactly-charity arm of their operations. Since Google believes in not being evil I suppose they want to use Google.org to do some good things for the world.

I guess a technology writer understands "format war" and spun the article this way, giving it a subtitle of 'Prius-ray vs Dominant Volt Drive?' In any case they say that the Japanese automakers are presenting for consideration a potential "worldwide standard" for automotive Li-ion batteries and related technologies. It may be a bit too early to standardise on specific Li-Ion chemistries so hopefully the standard they propose will be flexible enough to accomodate the variety of Lithium based battery chemistries which are being developed.

The Voice of Officialdom: "Volkswagen's top researcher warned Saturday, July 19 that pure electric cars would not became a major product for decades, because they continue to be thwarted by battery technology. " ...the key problems were gaining adequate range, the huge cost and a lack of industrial capacity to make high-energy batteries.

They plan to bring out an electric car, a very small car, in 2010.

Yesterday Al Gore, the former Next President of the United States, made a speech which laid down a moonshot style of challenge to Americans. It's a cool challenge but one which would personally enrich him because he is now a venture capitalist focusing on renewable energy and environmental solutions. Also, why did he place this challenge only on Americans? It is a global problem. Still, a very interesting speech, one which personally excites me..

Andrew Grove, former CEO of Intel, had a editorial in todays San Jose Mercury News about electric vehicles. He says: "Energy independence is the wrong goal...." Many politicos use this phrase as a talking point and it sounds likely, but... he suggests instead "We must strengthen our energy resilience by increasing our reliance on electricity." The problem is, as he says, to the extent the U.S. "energy" is derived from oil which is increasingly only available from unstable regimes in the middle east, it is folly for the U.S. to be addicted to oil (as G.W. Bush said).

The R1e is driven by a 40 kilowatt motor which can push it up to 65mph. Its lithium ion battery pack gives it a range of 50 miles and can be charged to 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes, using a special quick charger.

The Stella is a four-seat car sold in Japan, narrow but tall. The electric Stella concept uses a 40-kilowatt electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. This powertrain gives it a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour and a range of 50 miles.

The 2008 New York auto show had several electric vehicles on it.

The Think corporation has nearly died so many times it's awesome that they're still alive. It's even better that they're getting close to (again) selling vehicles. This one is the updated version of the original car they sold.