http://carswithcords.blogspot.com/2013/03/electric-vehicles-sierra-clu
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Learning How to Operate the C-Max with Ford Videos
Ford has produced many videos illustrating the operation of the C-Max Hybrid or Energi. They are disorganized and mixed with videos for other vehicles. I’ve listed the videos that are applicable to the C-Max below. Captions of videos that apply only … Continue reading →
Friday, March 29, 2013
Just .02% of U.S. drivers solar-charge an EV
So, how many solar-charged drivers are there in the United States right now?
No one knows. Not even us.
That’s because no one is keeping track of this statistic, though SolarChargedDriving.Com has an ongoing, totally unscientific poll on our site (across the 2 ? years our poll has been running, 205 people have either indicated they already are solar-charging an EV or that they plan to do so).
Putting aside the fact that no one is keeping track of how many people are solar-charging a plug-in car shows that EV + PV isn’t truly valued in American society – we survey/poll on things that matter to us on a broad social level, and we ignore those things that “we” don’t care about – we can make some reasonable speculations about how many solar-charged drivers there are in the U.S.
http://solarchargeddriving.com/news/solar-charged-driving/1166-just-02
The Renault Zoe | Fully Charged
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=474W4EM5cUo&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: fullychargedshow
E-Bike Gear: Showers Pass Portland Jacket Review [VIDEO]
Full review of the Showers Pass Portland Jacket with a video of the jacket being tested in a snow storm!
http://electricbikereport.com/showers-pass-portland-jacket-review-vide
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Hendersonville City Square adds 8 more EV charging stations
Hendersonville City Square Solar Center has recently added 8 more Blink EV charging stations to the two they already had for a grand total of 10 charging stations. The total number of EVSE’s in Hendersonville is 20, so the solar … Continue reading →
http://jpwhitenissanleaf.com/2013/03/28/hendersonville-city-square-add
EVELO 30 Day Electric Bike Challenge: Trade in Your Car Keys for an Electric Bike!
Would you be interested in trading in your car keys in exchange for a new EVELO electric bike to use for 30 days? If so, then you could be a participant in the EVELO 30 Day Electric Bike Challenge. In an effort to promote e-bike commuting and everyday use, Boris Mordkovich (CEO of EVELO), has created [...]
http://electricbikereport.com/evelo-30-day-electric-bike-challenge-tra
Texting solar-charged drivers just as dangerous
I’ve written frequently about the texting/surfing while driving epidemic (‘Texting and driving like playing Russian roulette’; ‘Time to put brakes on texting & driving epidemic’; ‘Don’t text and die’; ‘Computerized cars answer to texting epidemic’).
And, without fail, I never get a single comment on those entries.
It’s as if the life and death issue of texting/surfing while driving -- clearly it is a matter of life and death, both for the selfish, short-sighted people who do it, anyone in their vehicle, and anyone in a vehicle around them -- doesn’t matter to anyone.
Or maybe people who read this blog think texting/surfing while driving is irrelevant to solar-charged driving, though, it very definitely is relevant: Someone who texts/surfs while driving a solar-charged electric car is just as much of a disaster waiting to kill/maim/injure someone as a texting/surfing gasoline car driver.
So, why am I so fired up, again, about texting/surfing and driving? The lead story in today’s USA Today is about texting/surfing while driving.
http://solarchargeddriving.com/editors-blog/on-driving/1165-texting-so
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
E-Bike News: BMW E-Bike, Stromer ST1, E-Bikes at SXSW, BikeSpike, & More!
BMW is another car manufacturer that has jumped into the electric bike scene! Here is the BMW Cruise electric bike that is powered by the 250 watt Bosch electric bike kit. The bikes will initially be released in the German market and maybe if things go well it will expand beyond that. Stromer is launching [...]
http://electricbikereport.com/e-bike-news-bmw-e-bike-stromer-st1-e-bik
The Model S 17" Touchscreen Display
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ0HsN-tblo&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: teslamotors
Sunday, March 24, 2013
An Electric car called Trev | Fully Charged
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5pUIXe--fc&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: fullychargedshow
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Juiced Riders ODK Electric Cargo Bike Review
Full review of the Juiced Riders ODK versatile electric cargo bike with some background on the designer, ride characteristics, a range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts.
http://electricbikereport.com/juiced-riders-odk-electric-cargo-bike-re
Friday, March 22, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Walking at Work: Health & Connection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEfYtlx64ls&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: everybodywalk
Transport Evolved Episode 142. Plugjudice
Join EV journalist Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield, Mark Chatterley from Zero Carbon World, and guest Brad Horton from Whatdrivesbrad.com as they discuss the week's news in the world of EVs, including a first-drive report of the Renault Zoe, Plug-in hybrid hating, noisy EVs and the 2014 Volt.Plus news from VW, Mitsubishi, Washington State and much more!
http://www.transportevolved.com/2013/03/transport-evolved-episode-142-
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Enerdel battery blocks with BMS
In cooperation with Enerdel, Elithion now offers 1.5 kWh, 48 V Enerdel battery blocks with and integral BMS board, ready for easy inclusion in your high performance traction pack for a race EV. One to 16 modules may be used … Continue reading →
http://liionbms.com/blog/2013/03/enerdel-battery-blocks-with-bms
Juiced Riders ODK Electric Cargo Bike Specs, Video & Pictures
Part 1 of the Juiced Riders ODK e-cargo bike review with specs, a detailed video and a bunch of pictures!
http://electricbikereport.com/juiced-riders-odk-electric-cargo-bike-sp
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Successful EV Dealers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmUeX-_voj4&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: pluginamerica
Solar-charged electric cars are no panacea
So, I haven't posted anything to SolarChargedDriving.Com in about a week. I'll confess part of this is the fact that I've lost some of my solar-charged 'mojo' after 3 1/2 years of doing this site and still having only home solar but no EV.
I don't have an EV to add to our 5.59 kW worth of solar PV here in sunny Aurora, Colo., because we're likely going to be in Germany from August 2013 to August 2014, and it made no sense to buy, or lease, an EV (which have been available for a bit over a year in Colorado) when we knew we were going to be away for awhile.
But simply because I've lost some of my mojo here on SolarChargedDriving.Com -- in my own defense, there are more than 1,200 entries and stories on the site, many of which are still completely timely, relevant and helpful to those still discovering solar-charged driving -- doesn't mean I'm still not surfing about on the Internet, spreading my own brand of environmental and EV + PV activism ;-)
http://solarchargeddriving.com/editors-blog/on-sun-a-fossil-fuels/1164
Pedego City Commuter Electric Bike Review
Full review of the Pedego City Commuter electric bike with lots of pictures, specs, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall impressions.
http://electricbikereport.com/pedego-city-commuter-electric-bike-revie
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Tesla Model S Performance 1/4 Mile 12.864, 104.07 MPH
Tesla Model S Performance 1/4 Mile 12.85
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbgRoJ4vzZw&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: evaofdc
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Transport Evolved Episode 141. Nissan Leaf Home Phone?
Join Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield and guest Marc Kudling as they discuss the week's news in the world of EVs, including Henrik Fisker's departure from Fisker Automotive, the Nissan Leaf which phones home, and a new FIM approved electric motorcycle racing series.Plus news from Mahindra Reva, Toyota, BMW and VW.
http://www.transportevolved.com/2013/03/transport-evolved-episode-141-
The New OHM XU450 Electric Bike: Gates Carbon Drive, SRAM E-Matic, Hydroformed Aluminium Frame, & More!
OHM Cycles designed the new XU450 to make riding an e-bike even easier and more convenient.
http://electricbikereport.com/the-new-ohm-xu450-gates-carbon-drive-sra
Los Angeles Times: C-Max Energi Is Fuel Car with Best Mileage, Lowest Price
The Los Angeles Times published an article on March 12th, 2013 for the “Top 10 cars: best gas mileage, lowest sticker price”. To create the list, they divided the car’s base price by its EPA rating for combined fuel economy. … Continue reading →
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
It's 'Smart' to solar-charge an electric car
Want to win a solar-charged All-Electric Smart Car?
Then you might want to consider entering the Real Goods Solar Smart Electric Sweepstakes. Real Goods will hand over the keys to an Electric Smart Car and install a 1.5 kW solar system to fuel the car to one lucky winner of its sweepstakes.
The contest shows, once again, that solar and electric vehicles are increasingly coming together, and that more and more solar installers get it, meaning they understand that plug-in electric vehicles are a boon for solar.
The contest isn't the first of its kind. Back in 2011 we reported that a UK solar installer, Planet Solar, gave away an all-electric Nissan LEAF to Charles and Val Willett of Lancaster :-)
http://solarchargeddriving.com/news/solar-charged-driving/1162-its-sma
The Future of the Chevy Volt
Changes are coming to the Chevy Volt, and not just design changes. From recent reports, there are two main possibilities being floated for the next generation Volt. The first is reducing the range - internal studies indicate that current owners don’t need the estimated 50 mile electric range the car currently offers. The second is increasing the electric range. Speculation is to 60 miles. So far there hasn’t been anything solid on what a smaller battery would provide for … Continue reading »
http://chargedcars.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/the-future-of-the-chevy-vo
California Adds New Funding for Ford C-Max Energi Rebates
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project administered by the California Center for Sustainable Energy voted to add $4.5 million in funds to the state’s clean-vehicle rebate program in February. A purchaser or lessee of a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi qualifies for … Continue reading →
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Electric Car Servicing and Maintenance
Guest post by: Eric Muhanji Petrol and diesel-powered cars ruled the previous century. However, electric cars are entering new markets every year because of their low fuel (electricity) costs and relatively low maintenance costs compared to gasoline-powered cars. Also, these cars are environment friendly and are famously coined as ‘green cars.’ Electric cars are being [...]
http://www.onelectriccars.com/electric-car-servicing-and-maintenance/1
E-Bike News: Toyota E-Bike, New Factories, New Designs & Tech, E-Bike Book, Tours, & More!
Is Toyota getting into electric bikes? Here is a concept e-bike from the large auto manufacturer. It has a mid drive motor and the battery is housed in the mainframe. This concept may never make it to production but Toyota is claiming that their new i-Road electric 3 wheeler will. The i-Road is an interesting vehicle that blends some [...]
http://electricbikereport.com/e-bike-news-toyota-e-bike-new-factories-
Owners Blogging on The Ford C-Max
With this blog, I’m going to start tracking owners that blog on their C-Max, good or bad. I’m not aware of many. If you’ve written blogs on your C-Max, let me know. Ashurst, Charles, Confessions of a saint of renewable … Continue reading →
Some C-Max Vehicles Recalled for Child-Lock Problem
According to an article in Torque News, a small number of Ford C-Max 2013 vehicles contain an incorrectly installed rear-door child lock. The vehicles with a problem were built in the Wayne Michican Assembly Plant in November 2012. C-Max owners … Continue reading →
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
5 reasons to lease rather than buy an electric car
Back in the day when I thought we were going to be among the very first in the U.S. to get an electric car, I was determined to buy an EV outright, not lease one.
Now that I have had time to watch the EV revolution slowly unfold and wait on the sidelines in terms of getting an EV (we’re likely going to be in Germany for a full year, starting in August 2013, and have therefore elected to wait on getting an electric car), I’m revisiting my previous views.
If we were going to go with a plug-in hybrid such as a Chevy Volt (in my view, far and away the best PHEV due to its superior all-electric range), I might still elect to buy a plug-in.
However, if we were moving on a pure electric vehicle, I would definitely lease it, not buy it.
Why?
http://solarchargeddriving.com/editors-blog/on-evs-a-phevs/1161-5-reas
Electric Bike Research? Your Input Can Help Improve E-Biking in the US!
Help improve e-biking in the US by sharing your e-bike experiences with a research team from Portland State University.
http://electricbikereport.com/electric-bike-research-your-input-can-he
Friday, March 8, 2013
Czech solar car/bike team is ready to roll in 2013 !!
Czech this out ! http://electricbikereport.com/czech-solar-team-to-race-7300-km-on-solar-electric-trikes-in-the-sun-trip-videos/
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Rewarding Pedestrians: Creating a Good Walking Environment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP839c6ydE4&feature=youtube_gdat
Credit: everybodywalk
Monday, March 4, 2013
Truck Replaced! B-Line = Delivery by Electric Trike in Portland, Oregon [VIDEO]
B-Line provides local deliveries and a unique advertising platform via human/electric hybrid trikes that can carry 600 pounds!
http://electricbikereport.com/truck-replaced-b-line-delivery-by-electr
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Gas Stations are easier to find than EV Charging Stations
We took a trip to Portland TN today. Portland has two EV charging stations, at the City Hall and the city Ballpark. I dropped my wife off to get her hair cut and had half an hour to spend. I … Continue reading →
http://jpwhitenissanleaf.com/2013/03/02/gas-stations-are-easier-to-fin
Friday, March 1, 2013
The 1,000 hp VOLAR-e All Wheel Drive Electric Supercar
Batman music is an appropriate theme for something I could imagine in Bruce Wayne’s, you know, bat-garage. From MotorAuthority.com: Spanish industrial design firm Applus Idiada has formally presented a new electric race car concept called the Volar-e. The Volar-e is one of the most powerful electric cars ever built and was showcased for the first [...]
http://www.onelectriccars.com/the-1000-hp-volar-e-all-wheel-drive-elec
Ford C-Max Sales Up 14% From January
Ford C-Max sales were up 14 percent month-to-month with 3,183 vehicles sold during February 2013. January 2013 C-Max sales were the lowest full-month sales for the C-Max with just 2,725 sold. The break down between C-Max Hybrid and Energi sales … Continue reading →