6 posts tagged “ev”
This week, I took several steps to reduce my carbon footprint in the world. As some will already know though we've lived in London for bordering on three years, we do not own a car! Instead in addition to being an avid public transport user (though its not workable for my routes to and from work - as i need to drop the kids off at school) I use a pair of car services Ecoigo and Green Tomato to get from place to place. While it's slightly more than a car payment, when you add parking, congestion charge, gas, insurance and the value of the extra reading/phone time for me in the back, it's pretty much a wash in cost. More importantly, I have an incredibly low carbon footprint due to the use of a shared vehicle, which also, as a hybrid or electric has an even lower carbon/pollution index.
However, it's time to buy a car, mostly as the wife and kids want to begin exploring the countryside, and additional parts of Great Britain we've not seen, particularly the north and west (Wales). So the quest for a car begins. The 1st thing we did was put ourselves on the waiting list (secured place and everything) for a new Tesla S-series (I got to drive a Roadster back pre-release when we made Who Killed the Electric Car? However, the Tesla, even if we manage to get an early one, won't be available until at least 2010. So we need a car short-term (given that Tavin and I are about to become certified, licensed, UK drivers (my test is next week!). I'd prefer an electric, but just don't fit in a Nice or mini (at 6'2" it just won't work) I'd like to buy a Tesla Roadster, but the wife, kindly pointed out it wasnt' very practical for the kids. So we are still negotiating - any ideas welcome!
Lastly, A few weeks ago when I was at 3GSMA I stumbled upon a fascinating booth. The Solio is a combination solar charger and shared battery pack (similar to the Tumi Powerpack) but with power cells. Now frankly Solar chargers for phones/ipods/(or in those days walkmen) aren't exactly new - I had something similar from an Early Winters catalog in my teens. But the difference with this one is that it REALLY works.
I've used it on walks in the heath, or o days when I forget to charge my Blackberry/Iphone/iPod and find it indespensible. With my upcoming surf-adventure, I'm keen to use it in bright sunshine and see if my crackberry habit can lower its carbon footprint. More on that in the future.
Lastly, I'm giving a speach at a sold out session at the RSA on the future and mobile; topics I particularly love.
A BEAUTIFUL EV from GM - who i pilloried in my film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" - Makes me almost want them to survive the economic crisis. When's it avail in the states?
Like the Zap-X, a small SUV-crossover, the new car will also use a Lotus-developed platform, but it will be a more affordable, sporty model. Zap is aiming for a 100mph top speed, a range between recharges of 100 miles and a US price of $30,000. article continues below
Zap CEO Steve Schneider said this week: 'With Zap's experience over the past 12 years and the groundwork we have already laid, we know that electricity is the future of the auto industry. At the same time, we believe we have a design that will serve a niche no other manufacturer in the auto industry is seeking to fill.'
More details will be announced next month at Zap's shareholder meeting, but the company has confirmed that this car will now reach production before the Zap-X.
How well does your name Google? Who are you up against? (Celebrities, etc.)
Submitted by Matt Blank.
It's a toss up between me and Dr. Richard Titus the law professor (former Harvard prof) who has lectured in front of the Supreme Court.
However, in a google battle, I p'own him.
strangely - If you google my name someone has bought it as a keyword for a GM corporate blog Bashing my film, Who Killed the Electric Car?
hmmmm i wonder who would have done that.
I'd love for any of you to see my latest film... the OTHER inconvenient truth....
Download the whole movie from Amazon Unboxed here.
