Nebula 1994 June/NEBULA_SE.ISO/Documents/FAQ/Autos-faq/Electric/Part1

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Archive-Name:   autos/Electric/Part1
Last-Modified:  1993/08/24

     Here is a *partial* listing of electric vehicle clubs and alternative
energy publications last updated 24-AUG-1993.  If you have any additions or
corrections to this list, send them to me and I'll add them.  This list will
be published monthly.

     This file is available for FTP from HMCVAX.CLAREMONT.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 and I'll fix it!  :-)  )

     Electric Vehicle discussions have occured in the following usenet
newsgroups:

Sci.Environment
Sci.Energy
CA.Environment
Rec.Autos.Tech

This is not an exhaustive list by any means.

-- Chris Yoder                                      Burn Rubber, Not Gas!
   [e-mail]                           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)


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 hobyist 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
Fransisco to Los Angeles.  The owner of the vehicle would not state what type
of batteries were used in the attempt, 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 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 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
cyclinders 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 afterwords?

     Most EVs on the road today are conversions of ICE (Internal Combusion
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 neiborhood 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
-------------------------------

Begin:
Listname:       [e-mail]
List-Manager:   Clyde Visser: [e-mail]
Description:    General list for discussion of all aspects of Electric Vehicles
Subscription:   For additions, send mail to [e-mail] with a
Subscription:   message text consisting of the line:
Subscription:   SUBSCRIBE EV your-firstname your-lastname
Digest:         Subscribe as above with the second line being:
Digest:         SET EV DIGEST
Anonymous-FTP:  HMCVAX.CLAREMONT.EDU -- CD to INFO-EV-ARCHIVE
End:

Begin:
Listname:       [e-mail]
Description:    General list for discussion of all aspects of Hydrogen use.
Subscription:   For additions, send mail to [e-mail] with a
Subscription:   message text consisting of the line:
Subscription:   SUBSCRIBE HYDROGEN your-firstname your-lastname
End:

Begin:
Listname:       Nomadness
Description:    Travels of Steve Roberts (BEHEMOTH recumbent and Microship)
Subscription:   [e-mail]
Subscription:   Also hardcopy: The Nomadness Report, $15/year from Nomadic
Subscription:   Research Labs, PO Box 2185, El Segundo, CA 90245.
End:


P U B L I C A T I O N S
-----------------------

Begin:
Publication:    Alternative Transportation News
Contact:        Michael Hackleman, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        P.O. Box 743
City:           Mariposa
State:          CA
Zip:            95338
Country:        USA
Frequency:      6 times a year
End:

Begin:
Publication:    American Hydrogen Association
Address:        219 South Siesta, Suite 101
City:           Tempe
State:          AZ
Zip:            85281
Country:        USA
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Backwoods Home Magazine
Contact:        Dave Duffy, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        P.O. Box 2630
City:           Ventura
State:          CA
Zip:            93002
Country:        USA
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Electric Grand Prix.
Contact:        Paul Heaney
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        6 Gateway Circle
City:           Rochester
State:          NY
Zip:            14624
Cost:           non-profit organization.
Frequency:      Quarterly
Comment:        Technical & performance info.
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Electric Propulsion
Contact:        Jack Kerr, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        395 Matheson Boulevard East
City:           Mississauga
State:          Ontario
Country:        Canada
Mail-Code:      L4Z 2H2
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Electric Vehicle Progress
Contact:        Laurence Alexander, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        1133 Broadway, Suite 1407
City:           New York
State:          NY
Zip:            10010
Country:        USA
Cost:           $327 per year
Comment:        aka "Management News & Technical Developments in the
Comment:                Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Industry"
End:

Begin:
Publication:    G.M. Electric Vehicles Progress Report
Phone:          1-800-25-ELECTRIC
Cost:           Free
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Home Power
Contact:        Richard Perez, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        P.O. Box 130
City:           Hornbrook
State:          CA
Zip:            96044-1030
Country:        USA
End:

Begin:
Publication:    PV Network News
Contact:        Paul Wilkins, Editor
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        2303 Cedros Circle
City:           Santa Fe
State:          NM
Zip:            87505-5252
Country:        USA
End:

Begin:
Publication:    Solar Mind
Contact:        Joe Stevenson
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        759 South State, #81
City:           Ukiah
State:          CA
Zip:            95482
Country:        USA
Cost:           $25
Frequency:      6 issues a year
Comment:        Wholistic Approache to Technology and Environment
End:

Begin:
Publication:    World Electric Transportation & Solar Explosion
Contact:        Clarence Ellers
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        PO Box 111
City:           Yachats
State:          OR
Zip:            97498
Country:        USA
Cost:           $30
Frequency:      monthly
Comment:        Buy/Sell/Swap EV Section
End:


B O O K S
---------

Begin:
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
End:

Begin:
Title:          Electric Vehicles, Design & Build your own.
Author:         Hackleman, Michael
Date:           1977
ISBN:           0-915238-179
Publisher:      EarthMind, 4844 Hirsch Road, Mariposa CA, 95338
End:

Begin:
Title:          1992 Electric Vehicle Directory, 4th edition
Author:         Terpstra, Philip
ISBN:           0-9626287-5-1
Cost:           $11.00
End:

Begin:
Title:          Electric Vehicles Unplugged!, Your Electric Auto Resource
Author:         Marsh, Douglas F.
ISBN:           1-879857-00-6
Cost:           $9.00
End:

Begin:
Title:          Why Wait for Detroit?  2nd edition
Editor:         McCrea, Steve and Minner, Richard
Date:           1992
Cost:           $10.95
Order:          [phone] -- Ask to order "Why Wait For Detroit?"
End:

Begin:
Title:         SolarWind
Author:        Krutz, Kenneth W.
Date:          1986
Source:        P.O. Box 849, Sunset Beach, CA 90742
End:

Begin:
Title:         The Complete Book of Electric Vehicles
Author:        Shacket, Sheldon R.
Date:          1981
Publisher:     Domus Books, Chicago
End:

Begin:
Title:         All About Electric and Hybrid Cars
Author:        Traister, Robert J.
Date:          1982
Publisher:     Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA
End:

Begin:
Title:         Electric Vehicle Technology
Author:        Unnewehr, L.E.
Date:          1982
Publisher:     Wiley, New York
End:

Begin:
Title:         The Consumer's Electric Car
Author:        Wakefield, Ernest Henry.
Date:          1977
Publisher:     Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI
End:


G O V E R N M E N T A L   A G E N C I E S
-----------------------------------------

Begin:
Name:           CARB, California Air Resources Board
Name2:          Public Information Office
Contact:        Bill Sessa
Contact2:       Jerry Martin
Phone:          [phone]
Address:        P.O. Box 2815
City:           Sacramento
State:          CA
Zip:            95812
Country:        USA
Comment:        CARB was formed in 1969
Comment:        (ZEV) Emissions Standards Adopted Sept 27, 1990
End:

Begin:
Name:           CARB, California Air Resources Board -- Southern CA
Contact:        Sylvia Vanderspek
Phone:          [phone]
End:

Begin:
Name:           NYSERDA, New York State Energy Research and
Name2:          Development Authority
Contact:        Larry Hudson
Phone:          [phone] ext 209
Address:        2 Rockefeller Plaza
City:           Albany
State:          NY
Zip:            12223
Country:        USA
Comment:        NYSERDA was formed in 1976
Comment:        Operates a fleet of nearly 300 alternate-fuel
Comment:        vehicles
End: