Zoomi Life

A non-profit startup called CalCars has a unique proposal to both save the American auto industry and force them to get on board with plug-in vehicle technology. The plan comes from the company that built the first plug-in Prius, which is so far their main claim to fame.

The plan is pretty simple and straightforward: CalCars wants to get 5 million consumers who’re willing to pony up $10,000 as a deposit on an American-made plug-in hybrid to be delivered by 2012 by the automakers. Further, they want the federal government to give $10,000 in tax credits to those who sign up with the CalCars plan. The nitty-gritty details are on the CalCars website, but this simplified model will suffice for our explanation here.

The idea is pretty sound, though getting 5 million Americans in today’s financial climate to fork over $10,000 is kind of dreamy, I think. The tax credit would be nice, but only those who need that kind of tax credit will be interested in paying up the money, which also limits who’ll be willing to do it.

Warning: Political Content!

Personally, I don’t think I’d hand over money to a company whose parent company isn’t even willing to financially back them anymore. Nevermind one that might possibly, maybe make a decent car for me to drive (who knows what the final price tag will be?), but will more than likely build me a pile of crap. In my experience, new American cars tend to work great for the first 50,000 miles (maybe) and then you’ll start spending as much time in the shop as you do on the road. No thanks. I quit buying American cars a long time ago for that very reason.

I think it’s once again become the age of the startup and that new car companies and fresh ideas are what is really needed in this country’s auto industry. I think it’s time for the giants like GM and Ford to finally face up to the fact that they just aren’t viable in today’s world marketplace and it’s time for them to go quietly in the night. This is how markets function: just like nature. Things die, new things grow up in their place.

OK, I’m off the soap box now. I will say that one thing CalCars has going for them is that this isn’t some socialist or fascist “just give them the cash” plan, but a real investment by real consumers into the auto industry based on a contractual agreement. That’s what real free markets are all about.

Sources: 1, 2

The BYD F3DM unveiled at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show.

BYD Auto is now selling the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid. Designated the F3DM, the car is based on their popular F3 model (which looks roughly like a Toyota Prius and a Hyundai mashed together), the “DM” meaning “Dual Mode.”

Unveiling the new car at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show, the car is set to hit show rooms at the end of November: in China. Don’t expect world-wide acceptance of this car anytime soon.

Why not? I mean, it’s a plug-in hybrid, the thing we’ve all been begging for. Right? Well, ya, but it’s made in China and Chinese cars have a reputation for being low on safety standards. In 2007, the third major crash test of a Chinese-made vehicle showed horrifying results—the crash-test dummy was so embedded in the wreckage that they had to cut it into pieces to remove it. Not good. See the video:

Recent crash tests of the F3 (called the EuroNCAP model) showed much better results, though only doing “fair” on the test. That’s still a big step up. One caveat, though: that test was on a EuroNCAP model, not the standard for-sale-in-China model F3 this new PIHV is based on. So again, don’t expect this car to export anytime soon. Here’s a video of the recent crash test:

Europe is downright fast and loose with their crash test allowances when compared with North America. The U.S.A. and Canada have much more stringent rules, which means even less chance the F3DM will ever be seen here.

On the other side of the coin, BYD is becoming a bigger player in the world market thanks to recent innovations and some very impressive R&D ideas and testing, especially with their “F6DM” research, which is showing promise. This is a hybrid-electric car in which the non-electric component is hydrogen-based, not gasoline-based. Don’t expect to see those on the road soon, if at all, but the development is what matters.

BYD F6DM on display at 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Now consider that the MidAmerica Energy Holdings Company (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway—that’s Warren Buffet) invested 1.8 billion HK dollars (about $230 million USD) at the end of September, gaining a 10% hold on BYD. MAEH is a very conservative investor and this kind of money shows that they’re interested in BYD and, most probably, the Chinese auto market as a whole. Statements at the press conference to announce this investment were very green-centric, touting BYD’s investments in future technologies developments as a major factor in the investment decision.

The F3DM has some impressive numbers, though no third-party verification has been made. These include a 70 mile range per charge before the engine kicks in. The price tag for this car is about $22k USD and the sedan model, which debuted in the Detroit Auto Show, will hit the market at the same time for a few dollars more. The company has voiced hopes to sell the cars in Europe and the US by 2010, but no firm dates are set.

BYD itself is more than a car manufacturer (having only made cars for four years now), claiming to supply 65% of the world’s nickel-cadmium batteries and 30% of its Li-Ion mobile phone batteries. The BYD name stands for “Build Your Dreams.”

Perhaps, by building the F3DM and getting it to market first, even if it’s only in China, BYD has lived up to its name. At the very least, they’ll go down in history as the first major manufacturer to put a plug-in hybrid to market.

This Post via HybridCars

The Green Car Company in Seattle will auction its first 2009-model converted Plug-in Prius on eBay and donate the proceeds of the profit to Plug In America, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for plug-in vehicles. These Plug-in Prius hybrids feature the crash-tested A123 Hymotion Li-on battery pack installed by Hymotion CHIP-certified technicians.

This means Toyota’s standard factory warranty remains in place along with a 3-year unlimited-mile warranty covering the added battery pack. These Plug-in Prius hybrids can travel up to 40 miles in pure electric mode, satisfying the daily driving needs of most Americans, whereas a regular Prius kicks into gas mode after only a few miles.

The auction starts today and runs through November 9th, the last day of the Seattle Auto Show, where the car will be on display. Here’s your chance to get in front of the line and avoid the 150 person waiting list!

The auction webpage

PIA plans to use the proceeds from this auction to target the new U.S. President’s “first 100 days” to ensure that electric vehicles are included in any new stimulus package or automotive bail-out package. Since both major candidates agree on the importance of energy independence and renewables, we are certain to see a “green” stimulus package addressing clean-tech infrastructure projects and jobs involving renewable energy. We need to make sure that electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure projects end up front and center! We need to make sure that any bail-out monies to the auto industry include requirements for them to make more electric vehicles and accelerate any current plans to put EVs on the road!

About Plug In America:
Plug In America drives change. Our mission is to accelerate the shift to plug-in electric vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity. Our goal is to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. For more information on this and other matters please email info@pluginamerica.org

‘The World’s First Sun-Powered Electric Car’ by International Rectifier of El Segundo, CA on display at the Kick Gas Festival

If you’re an electric vehicle enthusiast, live in San Diego, and had the day off on Sunday, October 12, the place to be was definitely the Kick Gas Festival, held in Lakeside, CA about an hour away from downtown San Diego. The Kick Gas Festival is a place for gas and EV motor-heads to strut their stuff, compete in time trials, and get to know each other. Paul Thomas, organizer of the festival, calls it “Earth Day on steroids for motor-heads.”, and I felt right at home here.

As I arrived I was greeted by the familiar deafening roar of tricked-out dragsters trying to best each other on the track. And as I parked I was treated to a surreal sight - one of the dragsters had broken down at the end of the track, and had to be towed back by the only 100% electric towing truck that I’ve ever seen. Somehow, it was strangely satisfying watching the wounded, gasoline-hungry beast being towed back silently to its owner’s pit for repairs.

My dog attempts to ride the Zuumer electric scooter.		TJ Aguirre from Zero Motorcycles with the Zero-X electric dirt bike.

The electric contingent at this year’s Festival was out in full force.  Several vendors were present showing some innovative new products; Tom Boyd of Zuumcraft was there offering attendees a chance to test ride the Zuumer electric scooter. I am a big fan of the Zuumer - it’s an electric scooter with a special rear suspension that lets you steer the scooter in much the same way as you would a snowboard or a skateboard. So I grabbed my opportunity and spent about 15 minutes zipping around the festival grounds, carving and cutting the pavement on the Zuumer and getting my concrete surfing fix in for the day.

Zero Motorcycles was there, showing their 2009 Zero-X electric dirt bike. I got a chance to meet TJ Aguirre, SoCal Team Leader for Zero Motorcycles. TJ graciously let me ride the Zero-X, and I will be running a feature soon on my experience with this awesome electric dirt bike. All I can say right now it that the bike itself has a ton of power for such a light unit (the Zero-X weighs 140 pounds) - the bike itself will easily propel you to 60 mph, will do from 0-30 in under two seconds, and handles great.

Todd Kollin from Electric Motorsports with his GPR-S electric sportbike.		Another shot of the GPR-S electric sportbike.

I also got a chance to meet Todd Kollin from Electric Motorsport, Inc., of Oakland, CA. Electric Motorsport offers the first 100% street and freeway legal electric sportbike - the electric GPR-S. This all-electric sportbike has a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 30-60 miles per charge, with an average recharge time of four hours. Electric Motorsport is currently accepting orders for the first 100 production units of the GPR-S, which retails for $8,000. Head over to the Electric Motorsport website for more details.

Adam Maoz, president of Zero Emission Motors with his Volt electric scooter		Zero Emission Motors’ Retro electric scooter.

Adam Maoz, president of Zero Emission Motors of Marina Del Rey, CA was also there showing his electric scooter product line. Zero Emission Motors offers five electric scooter models available today, from the 350 watt Metro to the 1500 watt Volt electric scooter. Prices for the Zero Emissions Motors electric scooters range from $895 for the Metro to $1,495 for the Volt. Check out the Zero Emissions Motors website for more information.

Colby Trudeau and Lisa Wires from Plug In America promote PHEV’s at the festival.		Robert Lange of Kelseyville CA with his ‘Amp Hog’ electric motorcycle.

Colby Trudeau and Lisa Wires from PluginAmerica.org had a large booth at the event. Plug In America advocates the use of plug-in vehicles powered by electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. For those of you interested in converting your Prius to a PHEV, check out their website for great resources.

Abran Quevedo, EV conversion expert, with his electric Volkswagen Bug.		Another festival attendee with a home-built electric motorcycle.

The electric DYI contingent at the Kick Gas festival was strong - I saw at least 6 or 7 different home-built motorcycles, and several cars converted over to electric. Robert Lange of Kelseyville, CA and the Konocti EAA raced and displayed his ‘AMP Hog’ electric motorcycle, which scored him a time of 10.26 seconds in the 1/4 mile - that’s a top speed of about 59 miles per hour.

If you’re ever in San Diego in October and are interested in cars, motorcycles, and other toys with wheels - electric or not - I definitely recommend looking up the Kick Gas festival. Chances are, you’ll meet some interesting people and get to see some fascinating vehicles you might not see anywhere else.

More Festival Pictures:

Ego Electric Scooter on display.		Ultra Motor’s A2B electric bicycle.

Trunk battery of a PHEV-converted Prius at the festival.		Electric dirt dike from Extreme Green Machines of San Francisco, CA.