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This Electric Vehicle FAQ attempts to provide answers to common
questions about Electric Vehicles (EVs) as well as provide information on
where to get more information. Permission is granted to reproduce the
information in this document as a whole as long as there is there is no
charge or at most a nominal duplication fee to the end user.
This file is available for ANONYMOUS FTP from HMCVAX.AC.HMC.EDU in the
directory INFO-EV-ARCHIVE as RESOURCES.PARTn (There are 3 parts right now). I
try very hard to keep this list up to date, but since I've gleaned this
information from a number of sources, no guarantee is made for correctness.
(If you find any errors *PLEASE* let me know so that I can fix it! :-) )
Electric Vehicle discussions have occurred in the following usenet
newsgroups:
Sci.Environment
Sci.Energy
Sci.Energy.Hydrogen
CA.Environment
Rec.Autos.Tech
There is also a mailing list on EVs that is based on SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means.
Please see the Alternative Energy FAQ for information on generating
clean power for your EV.
This part last updated November 3, 1993.
-- Chris Yoder Burn Rubber, Not Gas!
Chris@Pitzer.Claremont.Edu Drive electric today.
Contents:
Part 1
1) Common questions and answers
2) Electronic Lists
3) Publications
4) Books
5) Governmental Agencies
Part 2
6) EV Associations
Part 3
7) EV Suppliers (Parts & Whole vehicles)
8) EV Racing Associations
9) Related Associations
F R E Q E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
-------------------------------------------------
1) How fast can an EV (electric vehicle) go?
The current land speed record for "non-track based" EVs is near 175 MPH.
Electric trains such as the TGV has been clocked at over 300 MPH.
Most EVs being sold or built today are capable of at least 60 MPH with
many able to get up to 85 MPH or more.
The fastest 1/4 mile time for an EV that I know of is 11.3 seconds (@110
MPH). This was done on an electric drag bike built by Ed Rannberg of Eyeball
Engineering.
GM's Impact prototype EV had a 0-60 time of 8 seconds. AC Propulsion has
their prototype motor in a CRX. It's 0-60 time was clocked at 7.8 seconds by
Road and Track. Most hobbyist EVs have 0-60 times closer to 15 or 20 seconds.
2) How far can an EV go?
The current record for the distance an EV has traveled on a single charge
is over 400 miles at 55 MPH. This record was set by driving a vehicle from San
Francisco to Los Angeles. The owner of the vehicle would not state what type
of batteries were used in the attempt, but most who are familiar with the
vehicle believe that they were Silver/Zinc.
Most EVs being sold today have ranges from 30 to 90 "freeway" (55-60 MPH)
miles. The average commute here in Los Angeles is 20 miles (one way) with 75%
under 50 miles (Source: GM EV Newsletter). According to "a 1988 Transportation
Survey", 90 percent of second vehicles travel less than 30 miles a day.
If you occasionally need to take a vehicle further and don't want to
own an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle, you could hook up a
generator (run it on a renewable fuel if you like) on a trailer for the
longer trips, rent another vehicle, or swap battery packs along the way.
(All of these have been done in real life situations.)
In the future, the ideal EV will have a hydrogen fuel-cell on board to
provide clean power to keep the batteries charged for the long trips. The
hydrogen will probably be stored in a metal hydride so that pressurized
cylinders are not required.
3) What about all these new batteries I hear about?
The Holy Grail of the EV industry is better batteries. The fact of the
matter is that Lead-Acid based EVs can serve the needs of a large number of
people today. Waiting for "better batteries" is just an excuse.
It is true that not everybody will want or need an EV. They are but a
piece in the whole transportation puzzle. Where they really shine is in short
distance, mostly urban/suburban trips. This happens to be where ICE vehicles
have their greatest short-comings.
4) Where can I purchase an EV and get it serviced afterwards?
Most EVs on the road today are conversions of ICE (Internal Combustion
Engine) vehicles. If you are mechanically skilled and inclined you can
purchase a kit and install one in a vehicle yourself. However, there are a
number of conversion shops who will sell you a complete vehicle. Please see
the list of EV Suppliers found later in this FAQ for more information.
EVs require very little maintenance, and most of that can be done at home
with a tiny bit of knowledge. The maintenance required consists mostly of
watering the batteries every month or so (if you don't have sealed batteries).
If you do have a problem with the electrical power system of the vehicle, the
manufacturer of the kit or converter of the vehicle should be able to help you
(ask before you buy!). Most conversion shops should be able to maintain any
EV. The other maintenance, such as tires, suspension, breaks and body repair
work can be performed at your neighborhood repair shop.
5) How much does an EV cost?
It depends upon the vehicle and how much work you are willing to put into
it. The parts (including batteries) for a freeway capable conversion will run
about $5,000-$6,000. Add to that cost whatever labor you don't supply and the
cost of an ICE vehicle to convert. Turn-key conversions list at anywhere from
$15,000 to $150,000.
6) Where do I get more information?
Join the EV list or go to a meeting of your local EV club and ask!
E L E C T R O N I C L I S T S
-------------------------------
EV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU -- List Manager: Clyde Visser: CVISSER@UCRMATH.UCR.EDU
General list for discussion of all practical aspects and applications
of Electric Vehicles. An anonymous FTP directory is located on
PITZER.EDU in the directory ELECTRIC-VEHICLES (scans of EVs in
the images subdirectory). A message archive is maintained by the
LISTSERV. For additions, send mail to LISTSERV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU with a
message consisting of:
SUBSCRIBE EV your-firstname your-lastname
To get a DIGEST form of the list instead of individual messages, send
mail to LISTSERV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU with a message consisting of:
SET EV DIGEST
(These two may be combined into one message.)
AE@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU -- List Manager: Clyde Visser: CVISSER@UCRMATH.UCR.EDU
General list for discussion of all practical aspects and
applications of Alternative Energy. A message archive is maintained by
the LISTSERV. For additions, send mail to LISTSERV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU
with a message consisting of:
SUBSCRIBE AE your-firstname your-lastname
To get a DIGEST form of the list instead of individual messages, send
mail to LISTSERV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU with a message consisting of:
SET AE DIGEST
(These two may be combined into one message.)
American Wind Association Weekly Newsletter
Electronic distribution of American Wind Association Newsletter
Send email to tgray@igc.apc.org to subscribe.
Technomads@UCSD.EDU -- List Manager: Steve Roberts: wordy@ucsd.edu
General list for discussion of mobile computing while remaining
connected to "the net".
For additions, send mail to LISTSERV@UCSD.EDU
with a message consisting of:
SUBSCRIBE TECHNOMADS your-firstname your-lastname
Nomadness -- List Manager: Steve Roberts: wordy@ucsd.edu
Travels of Steve Roberts (BEHEMOTH recumbent and Microship)
Send mail to Steve Roberts in order to subscribe. (There *MAY* be a
listserve based on UCSD.EDU that supports this list.)
Also available in hardcopy: The Nomadness Report, $15/year from
Nomadic Research Labs, PO Box 2185, El Segundo, CA 90245.
P U B L I C A T I O N S
-----------------------
American Hydrogen Association
219 South Siesta, Suite 101
Tempe, AZ 85281 USA
Backwoods Home Magazine
Dave Duffy, Editor
(805) 647-9341
P.O. Box 2630
Ventura, CA 93002 USA
Electric Grand Prix.
Paul Heaney
(716) 889-1229
6 Gateway Circle
Rochester, NY 14624 USA
Quarterly
Comment: Technical & performance info.
Electric Propulsion
Jack Kerr, Editor
(416) 890-1846
395 Matheson Boulevard East
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada L4Z 2H2
Electric Vehicle News
Editor: Lew Gulick
(703) 296-9093 703-351-61412 (FAX)
1911 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite #703
Arlington VA 22209
Subsription $30, 11 issues/year
Electric Vehicle Progress
Laurence Alexander, Editor
(212) 206-7979
1133 Broadway, Suite 1407
New York, NY 10010 USA
$327 per year
Comment: aka "Management News & Technical Developments in the
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Industry"
G.M. Electric Vehicles Progress Report
1-800-25-ELECTRIC
Free
Home Power
Richard Perez, Editor
(916) 475-3179
P.O. Box 130
Hornbrook CA, 96044-1030 USA
Comment: Merged with Alternative Transportation News. A must have
for those seriously interested in Alternative Energy issues.
BBS: (707) 822-8640 -- Includes GIFs of graphs and diagrams
PV Network News
Paul Wilkins, Editor
(505) 473-1067
2303 Cedros Circle
Santa Fe, NM 87505-5252 USA
Solar Mind
Joe Stevenson
(707) 463-1812, (707) 468-0878
759 South State, #81
Ukiah, CA 95482 USA
$25
6 issues a year
Comment: Wholistic Approache to Technology and Environment
World Electric Transportation & Solar Explosion
Clarence Ellers
(503) 547-3506
PO Box 111
Yachats, OR 97498 USA
$33/year
monthly
Comment: Buy/Sell/Swap EV Section
B O O K S
---------
Title: Convert your Compact Car to Electric
Author: Jones, Clyde R.
Date: 1981
ISBN: 0-89196-0961(pbk)
Publisher: Domus Books, 400 Anthony Trail, Northbook, Ill 60062
Title: Electric Vehicles, Design & Build your own.
Author: Hackleman, Michael
Date: 1977
ISBN: 0-915238-179
Publisher: EarthMind, 4844 Hirsch Road, Mariposa CA, 95338
Title: 1992 Electric Vehicle Directory, 4th edition
Author: Terpstra, Philip
ISBN: 0-9626287-5-1
Cost: $11.00
Title: Electric Vehicles Unplugged!, Your Electric Auto Resource
Author: Marsh, Douglas F.
ISBN: 1-879857-00-6
Cost: $9.00
Title: Why Wait for Detroit? 2nd edition
Editor: McCrea, Steve and Minner, Richard
Date: 1992
Cost: $10.95
Order: (800) 468-4322 -- Ask to order "Why Wait For Detroit?"
Title: SolarWind
Author: Krutz, Kenneth W.
Date: 1986
Source: P.O. Box 849, Sunset Beach, CA 90742
Title: The Complete Book of Electric Vehicles
Author: Shacket, Sheldon R.
Date: 1981
Publisher: Domus Books, Chicago
Title: All About Electric and Hybrid Cars
Author: Traister, Robert J.
Date: 1982
Publisher: Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA
Title: Electric Vehicle Technology
Author: Unnewehr, L.E.
Date: 1982
Publisher: Wiley, New York
Title: The Consumer's Electric Car
Author: Wakefield, Ernest Henry.
Date: 1977
Publisher: Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI
G O V E R N M E N T A L A G E N C I E S
-----------------------------------------
CARB, California Air Resources Board
Public Information Office
Contacts: Bill Sessa, Jerry Martin
(916) 322-2990
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812 USA
Comment: CARB was formed in 1969
(ZEV) Emissions Standards Adopted Sept 27, 1990
CARB, California Air Resources Board -- Southern CA
Contact: Sylvia Vanderspek
(818) 575-6703
NYSERDA, New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority
Larry Hudson
(518) 465-6251 ext 209
2 Rockefeller Plaza
Albany, NY 12223 USA
Comment: NYSERDA was formed in 1976
Operates a fleet of nearly 300 alternate-fuel vehicles
Environmental Protection Agency
BBS: telnet ttnbbs.rtpnc.epa.gov
BBS help number: (919) 541-5384