6 posts tagged “who killed the electric car?”
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?
Democrats abroad are hosting a screening of the documentary this Friday in London (if you are here)...
FILM: 'Who Killed the Electric Car'
This 2007 film investigates the events leading to the quiet destruction of thousands of new, radically efficient electric vehicles. These vehicles were introduced by GM and others the mid-1990s but soon abandoned for .. Through interviews and narrative, the film paints a picture of an industrial culture whose aversion to change and reliance on oil may be deeper then its ability to embrace ready solutions.
From the NY Times - "A murder mystery, a call to arms and an effective inducement to rage, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" is the latest and one of the more successful additions to the growing ranks of issue-oriented documentaries."
Date: Friday 6 February
Time: 7:00 pm (Doors Open at 6:30 pm)
Location: London School of Economics, Room D302, Second Floor, Clement House (this is the new room)
Cost: £5 General, £3 Unwaged
Please RSVP to: films@democratsabroad.org.uk
There are a limited number of seats so please con sider your RSVP a commitment to attend; if you need to
cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the booking to someone else.
For more information on the film including reviews please click on:
http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/press
Date: Friday 6 February
Time: 7:00 pm (Doors Open at 6:30 pm)
Location: London School of Economics, Room D302, Second Floor, Clement House
Cost: £5 General, £3 Unwaged
Please RSVP to: films@democratsabroad.org.uk
Please consider your RSVP a commitment to attend; if you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the booking to someone else.
Schedule:
6.30: Doors Open
7.00: Introduction
7:15:Who Killed the Electric Car (88 minutes)
8:45: Discussion, Q&A with Peter Durante and the Executive Producers of the film
9:30: Building closes
Peter Durante, who will be leading the discussion, has spent over 8 years in the energy industry, currently working as a CO2 trader. In addition, he is a pro-bono advisor on energy and environmental issues to various politicians, NGOs, academics and industry groups. He has a keen interest in the potential (and challenges) around the electrification of transport and its relationship to renewable energy, as well as reducing CO2 and dependence on oil. The Executive Producers, Tavin and Richard Titus, will be present for the discussion.
Please join us afterwards at the Old Bank of England Pub, 194 Fleet Street
Street map showing the location of LSE within London: Click here
Detailed map showing the Clement House building
(Building D in the lower right hand corner of the map):
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/findingYourWayAroundLSE.htm
Show us something you made.
Ok it's cheap, but it is the thing I've done in life of which I'm the most proud...
I'd love for any of you to see my latest film... the OTHER inconvenient truth....
Download the whole movie from Amazon Unboxed here.
