The promise of spring
Forget about the calendar. I saw two signs that spring is upon us. The first was a group of very fast motorcycles racing up foothill drive. They were still wearing leather but it's a sign the Harley's and tanktops will be here soon. Also a neighbor actually fired up his propane grill and cooked a steak on it. So it's time to fix that flat bicycle tire. DT ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
I took out the RX-8 today and tore-up the highway for a while. The grin is still plastered all over my face. *That's* the sure sign of the end of winter... *;o) * On Feb 10, 2008 10:10 PM, daniel turner <outwest112@yahoo.com> wrote:
Forget about the calendar. I saw two signs that spring is upon us.
Hi Chuck,
Check out this SportsCar. It is 155 MPH, 650 HP, 0-60 in 5 secs,and it travels 350 miles on one charge. Erik http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-x I took out the RX-8 today and tore-up the highway for a while. The grin
is still plastered all over my face.
*That's* the sure sign of the end of winter... *;o) * On Feb 10, 2008 10:10 PM, daniel turner <outwest112@yahoo.com> wrote:
Forget about the calendar. I saw two signs that spring is upon us.
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Here's the one I'm waiting for: http://www.teslamotors.com/design/wallpaper.php Of course, living in Utah, I'd like my car to have a good heater, AC, and defrost capability. Something that pure electrics just don't do (yet). Still waiting for the "Mr. Fusion" attachment. On Feb 11, 2008 9:11 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Hi Chuck,
Check out this SportsCar. It is 155 MPH, 650 HP, 0-60 in 5 secs,and it travels 350 miles on one charge.
Erik
http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-x
Hi Chuck,
You can order the ZAP-X now and it does have a heater and defroster. It is being rated by insurance companies now. Performance is similar to the Telsa, this one is designed by Lotus and built in California. I have a friend in Oregon that wants one the 2nd year their sold, there is no scheduled maintenance for these and operating cost is 1 cent/mile. One things for sure GM is going to have to do better than 20 MPG Hybrids to compete in the future auto market. Erik Here's the one I'm waiting for:
http://www.teslamotors.com/design/wallpaper.php
Of course, living in Utah, I'd like my car to have a good heater, AC, and defrost capability. Something that pure electrics just don't do (yet).
Still waiting for the "Mr. Fusion" attachment.
On Feb 11, 2008 9:11 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Hi Chuck,
Check out this SportsCar. It is 155 MPH, 650 HP, 0-60 in 5 secs,and it travels 350 miles on one charge.
Erik
http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-x
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I'd have to see the specs on heat/defrost and how it's use detracts from range. What happens on those storm days when your regular 30 minute commute turns into 2 hours or more? And it gets worse the further north you go. I think we're still some years away from a practical, reliable purely electric vehicle for other than relatively short commutes in cold climates. And it can't look like a mini van. I mean, unless one is a soccer mom... But if I lived in St. George, then it's a no-brainer. On Feb 11, 2008 9:53 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Hi Chuck,
You can order the ZAP-X now and it does have a heater and defroster.
Yes, I am sure that reduces the range, this car charges in 10 Minutes. I remember there were a few Californians that were upset when they were forced to give up their electric cars a few years ago. At 655 HP I wonder what kind of range a vehicle would have if they dropped the HP to 200. Gas could get real expensive in the very near future so I would think demand for such a vehicle will increase. Also the specs for the batteries on this is 9000 charges, a daily charge and the batteries will last 30 years. Long trips seem to be the drawback but all you would need is a WallMart every 300 miles with RV hookups. Too keep this related to Astronomy, they also sell a product line of batteries (rechargeable lithium) for many other applications. One thing is for sure I will not buy a new car until fuel efficiency improves greatly. Erik I'd have to see the specs on heat/defrost and how it's use detracts from
range. What happens on those storm days when your regular 30 minute commute turns into 2 hours or more? And it gets worse the further north you go.
I think we're still some years away from a practical, reliable purely electric vehicle for other than relatively short commutes in cold climates.
And it can't look like a mini van. I mean, unless one is a soccer mom...
But if I lived in St. George, then it's a no-brainer.
On Feb 11, 2008 9:53 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Hi Chuck,
You can order the ZAP-X now and it does have a heater and defroster.
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Erik, like you I certainly won't buy a daily driver until fuel efficiency improves. Just driving to SPOC and back costs me something like $12, and I'm only 25 minutes away. Weekly commuting amounts to $22 (thanks to working 4-ten hour days, I eliminate one day's commute weekly, as well as driving during off-peak times), errands can increase that by 50%. My Mazda is insured as a recreational vehicle and not driven daily, so mileage isn't as much of an issue with that one. But I'm told that my family's monthly gasoline expenses, about $150-$160 includng my wife's car, is actually less than half that of the typical Utah family with children and two working adults. We've actively planned our lives around living close to our employers, our children's schools, and the retailers we shop at. Not everyone can. The sad part is, the day may come when I'm forced to adopt the "ultra-light", minimalist truss-tube telescope design I've eschewed for decades, if I want it to fit in the car I'll be driving in retirement. Certainly the automotive industry needs to change fundamentally. Either pure electric or hydrogen. Yes, I know all about the caveats of a hydrogen ecconomy, and it's not my intention to debate that here. My point is just that the days of fossil fuel for personal vehicles are numbered. On Feb 11, 2008 3:24 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
One thing is for sure I will not buy a new car until fuel efficiency improves greatly.
participants (3)
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Chuck Hards -
daniel turner -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net