2011

Plugs and Cars

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The electricity in gasoline

Plugs and Cars

I just ran across the latest available data, from 2005, for the electricity consumption by petroleum refineries. ( Source: Energy Statistics Database | United Nations Statistics Division ) The US is, hoorah, #1. Almost 49,000,000,000 kWh. One electric car, roughly speaking, will use about 3000 kWh to go about 12,000 miles. That means the electricity alone we use to refine petroleum each year could drive over 16,000,o00 electric cars 12,000 miles each year.

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FIRST-EVER plug-in prius! Really?

Plugs and Cars

A story on Toyota's announcement that an ordering system for the plug-in prius will be coming later this year prompted me to check out the site. I find it rather funny and rather sad. "THE FIRST-EVER prius plug-in hybrid," it says. Really? Ask Felix Kramer of CalCars. Ask any of the hundreds of individuals and fleets driving around in prius converted to have plug-in capability.

Prius 220
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From Scooters to High Speed Rail, China is Electrifying

Plugs and Cars

I’m sure I’m not the first to say it. China is electrifying. When I was studying China and Mandarin Chinese 35 years ago, “Red” China was unrecognized by the US, literally, and dark in a way difficult to imagine now. Who knew what was going on over there? Was “reality” that the world’s oldes t civilization was throwing off the shackles of Western domination and its own past to offer a new vision of civilization, or was it bodies floating downriver to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution?

China 133
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Think in trouble as Norwegian EV market booms

Plugs and Cars

Think, maker of the Think City, is in trouble, Norwegian business newspaper E24 reports. It's not paid it's bills since February, according to Swedish parts supplier AQ Wiring Systems. At the same time, sales of electric cars are booming in Norway. The iMiev has become the fastest selling car in its segment, beating out gas vehicles. 764 new electric cars were registered in the first five months of the year.

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Keepin' it simple

Plugs and Cars

Plug-in cars are being delivered at long last. Yet there remains confusion about the necessary infrastructure and its expense. Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) home wall units are priced at between about $1000 and $2500. Plus installation. Need it cost this much? Is it as complex and time-consuming a process as has been experienced by many new owners of plug-in cars?

Volt 113
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Atomkraft? Nein, Danke.

Plugs and Cars

Germany calls it quits on nuclear power. Last plant to close in 2022. Today about 25% of Germany's electricity comes from nukes. The U.S. gets just under 20% of its electricity from nuclear.

Germany 113
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Automakers continue to face challenges caused by quake

Plugs and Cars

Nissan may have to ship engines from Tennessee to Japan. Honda is extending the shut down at its shuttered plants. Worries about Prius supply has already increased the average price by the consumer by $1,800. GM and Nissan production in the US is being disrupted by lack of Japanese parts. [Source: NYTimes ].

Tennessee 113