T his has been a good week for new advanced battery announcements. MORE
This morning, I hacked together a serial cable to talk with the ccShell program provided by Azure Dynamics to communicate with the controller. You need to contact Azure Dynamics directly to get the.ccs file that works with ccShell; it's not available on their FTP site. MORE
It's a shame the video on TMZ.com doesn't include the reporter's voiceover, because the narration I heard when the story aired on TV caught the reality of hydrogen hype better than most serious enviro journalism. Automakers using movie stars to greenwash was its essence. MORE
Audi Metroproject Quattro T his has been a big week of announcements from car manufacturers. One is from the new auto start up Fisker. Fisker's high end-plug in CNET News Blog Posted by Michael Kanellos Fisker Automotive. Think of it as a marriage between the Chevy Volt and the Tesla Roadster. MORE
Xcel Energy announces six-month test drive of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles DENVER - Six plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ( PHEVs ) will be on the road by the end of 2007 as part of a demonstration test of vehicle-to-grid ( V2G ) technology by Xcel Energy. MORE
2007 Ford Motor Company has embarked on a bold mission to bring back the Escort name in a revolutionary new Plug-in Hybrid vehicle. M omentum for a Plug in Future continues. First, there is this story from Volkswagon. Apparently, VW is set to unveil an Up!-based MORE
By John Voelcker First Published October 2007 Google , a former CIA director , the Natural Resources Defense Council , a U.S. MORE
GM-Volt.com is reporting on battery announcements at EVS23. Both A123 and LG Chem/Compact Power have delivered packs to GM for testing in the Volt. MORE
23, 2007 -- General Motors Corp. I f there is any doubt that GM is serious about PHEVs, here is one more story that indicates that they are indeed very serious. GM Could Reportedly Produce 60,000 Plug-in Hybrids in 2010 Source: GreenBiz.com by Jeff Green at Bloomberg OAKLAND, Calif., MORE
A nother major manufacturer is unveiling their PHEV at a car show. This time, it's Volvo. Here's the story from duemotori.com. MORE
I'm currently working on a battery equalizer for the 914 EV based on the whitepaper at the following link: [link] The above two schematics show the circuit that I'm experimenting with using 12V batteries. It seems to work fine on my bench. MORE
Piaggio launches hybrid scooter 02 Aug 2007 Italian manufacturer Piaggio , the maker of Vespa , has launched an environmentally friendly hybrid scooter by mechanically and electronically linking a traditional combustion engine with an electric motor. MORE
London could soon replace California as the electric car capital of the world. Thanks in large part to Mayor "Red Ken" Livingstone, who enacted London's much criticized congestion charge policy in 2003. MORE
Today was a bit slow. I received some AMP pins in the mail that fit the special connectors on the DMOC445 controller. To make the serial port more robust, I crimped the pins onto the ends of the 16-gauge wires and inserted them into the 8-position connector that came with the DMOC. MORE
Ford, utility join to promote plug-in vehicles Reuters India Sat Jul 7, 2007 DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co and power utility Southern California Edison will announce an unusual alliance on Monday aimed at clearing the way for a new generation of rechargeable electric cars, the companies said. MORE
I took a few hours today to get the small hairdryers installed. In order to have a convenient switch to activate the hairdryers, I hijacked the defroster knob switch. I was lucky enough to have this option on my car. MORE
F or those who think that GM is not serious about its new PHEV , the Volt , here is a piece that makes you think they are: The Volt To Be Lutz's Legacy May 21, 2007 So, I heard General Motors’ Bob Lutz on National Public Radio’s “Wait. MORE
After sleeping for 14 hours last night, I think I'm somewhat recovered from that nasty cold. I dropped by Parkrose hardware after work and picked up some stuff to install in the EV. MORE
Air-Car Ready for Mass Production Bob Ewig Popular Mechanics May 31, 2007 The world's first commercial compressed air-powered vehicle is rolling towards the production line. MORE
I had a bit more time today to work on some other small projects. Here's the 914 patiently waiting for its rebuilt transmission from Rennsport Systems. It'll be awhile since Rennsport won't start on the rebuild until November. MORE
The submission deadline is Thursday, May 31, 2007. T he Department of Energy is moving forward to develop advanced batteries for PHEV s. Here is the story. DOE to Provide up to $14 Million to Develop Advanced Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. MORE
P erhaps the most important milestone in developing Plug in Hybrids is the availability of an affordable, practical, and powerful battery pack. Here is a significant announcement by David Vieau , CEO of A123 Systems. MORE
Since I'm stuck indoors today to recover from a sore throat, I put together the following schematic to drive the fuel gauge based on the pack voltage. Click to enlarge the image) With the exception of the 4N25 opto-isolator, which I salvaged from a dead UPS, all parts are available at Radio Shack. MORE
The major project of the day was finishing the rain gutter under the engine compartment lid. The original gutter was too deep and interfered with the rear battery box. As described in a previous post, I purchased a piece of ABS plastic from TAP plastics and bent the edges to make a rain catch. MORE
After receiving an updated.css file (ccShell config file) from Azure Dynamics for the DMOC445, I was able to access the EE1SpeedoDiv variable. After setting this to a non-zero value, I attached a scope to pin 25 of the main DMOC connector and (yay!) MORE
I purchased a new pilot bearing for the flywheel to see if replacing it would help with the rattles. Flywheel - it's what's for dinner! MORE
Got2BeGreen reports BYD, a large Chinese firm that is jumping into cars, will be showing a plug-in hybrid, the F6DM, at the Detroit Auto Show. According to this report, it will begin selling next year in China for about $20,000. MORE
Today had some ups and downs. I got the adapter hub from Electro Automotive back today. I installed it on the motor shaft and, to my delight, it had less than 1 mil of runout and wobble! That's how the hub is supposed to work. MORE
Last week Craig at Camp914 offered to lend me another transmission to see if I had vibrational issues. I drove out to Camp914 this morning. I wish to express much gratitude to Craig for letting me borrow this spare tranny. MORE
GreenOptions blog reports that Mayor RT Rybak of Minneapolis is now driving a plug-in hybrid. His daily drive, a Prius, has been converted. He's also moving the Minnesota city along a solar fast track. MORE
Thomson Financial is reporting that Mitsubishi aims to launch its i-MiEV city electric car one year earlier than expected. Techon blog from Japan gives more details. 16kWh of Lithium betteries. 160 kilometer range. MORE
After putting the adapter hub from Electro Auto onto the motor shaft no less than twenty times, I'm pooped. I tried filing down several different faces of the hub to get the runout and wobble down and failed. It's going back to EA tomorrow morning for a new one. MORE
The Fisker Coachbuild name meant nothing to me, but I'm not really an auto geek. We recently read that this premium automobile design company intends to offer a luxury plug-in hybrid. MORE
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I get rather concerned that rain entering the engine compartment will cause problems with the electrical wiring. Many other 914 EV'ers have protected their wiring inside conduit boxes and other shields. MORE
Business Green Blog in the UK reports on a plan to install 250 EV charging stations in England. Elektromotive is making a sleek charge point with a tiny footprint. MORE
I've long heard rumors of Chinese auto makers developing an electric car. It makes lots of sense, given Chinese battery production. Now Autobloggreen has a report out of China involving BYD. I recalled hearing in 2005 that BYD acquired a license from Ovonics to manufacture NiMH batteries. MORE
Another auto maker is suggesting the future is with electric cars. CNet is reporting Subaru will be showing an electric car prototype at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month. Unlike many electric prototypes - Nissan's Pivo comes to mind - the G4e looks like it could appear in showrooms today. MORE
VW's announced "Up Concept" city cars could have a Plug-in Hybrid version. Autoblog and Left Lane News are reporting VW will be showing a PHEV UP at the LA Auto Show. Small enough to be labeled "tiny" in DailyTech.com 's headline. MORE
A few months ago I attended an eco-event in Fairfax, CA with my electric car. Someone seems to have videotaped me and posted it on youtube. MORE
Mercedes-Benz has delivered the first of 100 electric Smart ForTwos to fleet customers in the UK. Coventry City Council will be using the electric Smart in its fleet. Smart Car of America has the most complete report, straight from Daimler, with most of the relevant stats. MORE
Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has issued a press release, according to Green Car Congress , announcing that 2009 rather than 2010 will see the sales of the first 100 electric Subarus in Japan. MORE
Electric cars, including many Th!nk nk City cars and at least one RAV4 EV, turned out in large numbers to salute Al Gore, lining Oslo streets as he drove (in a gasser) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. MORE
This wingless Jetsonian vehicle has seemed to me to be too much design, too much gadgetry, too much website, and not enough practical, buildable car. I thought I could smell the vapor. Well, Popular Mechanics asked and the Aptera folks let them in. MORE
2007 Related Topics Porsche 914 EV Conversion
JULY 27, 2007
This morning, I hacked together a serial cable to talk with the ccShell program provided by Azure Dynamics to communicate with the controller. You need to contact Azure Dynamics directly to get the.ccs file that works with ccShell; it's not available on their FTP site.
Plug In Partners
NOVEMBER 28, 2007
Xcel Energy announces six-month test drive of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles DENVER - Six plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ( PHEVs ) will be on the road by the end of 2007 as part of a demonstration test of vehicle-to-grid ( V2G ) technology by Xcel Energy.
Plug In Partners
OCTOBER 19, 2007
By John Voelcker First Published October 2007 Google , a former CIA director , the Natural Resources Defense Council , a U.S.
Plug In Partners
OCTOBER 8, 2007
2007 Ford Motor Company has embarked on a bold mission to bring back the Escort name in a revolutionary new Plug-in Hybrid vehicle. M omentum for a Plug in Future continues. First, there is this story from Volkswagon. Apparently, VW is set to unveil an Up!-based
Plug In Partners
AUGUST 30, 2007
23, 2007 -- General Motors Corp. I f there is any doubt that GM is serious about PHEVs, here is one more story that indicates that they are indeed very serious. GM Could Reportedly Produce 60,000 Plug-in Hybrids in 2010 Source: GreenBiz.com by Jeff Green at Bloomberg OAKLAND, Calif.,
Plugs and Cars
DECEMBER 22, 2007
This wingless Jetsonian vehicle has seemed to me to be too much design, too much gadgetry, too much website, and not enough practical, buildable car. I thought I could smell the vapor. Well, Popular Mechanics asked and the Aptera folks let them in.
Plugs and Cars
DECEMBER 21, 2007
Electric cars, including many Th!nk nk City cars and at least one RAV4 EV, turned out in large numbers to salute Al Gore, lining Oslo streets as he drove (in a gasser) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Plug In Partners
DECEMBER 14, 2007
T his has been a good week for new advanced battery announcements.
Plugs and Cars
DECEMBER 3, 2007
It's a shame the video on TMZ.com doesn't include the reporter's voiceover, because the narration I heard when the story aired on TV caught the reality of hydrogen hype better than most serious enviro journalism. Automakers using movie stars to greenwash was its essence.
Plugs and Cars
DECEMBER 3, 2007
GM-Volt.com is reporting on battery announcements at EVS23. Both A123 and LG Chem/Compact Power have delivered packs to GM for testing in the Volt.
Plugs and Cars
NOVEMBER 22, 2007
London could soon replace California as the electric car capital of the world. Thanks in large part to Mayor "Red Ken" Livingstone, who enacted London's much criticized congestion charge policy in 2003.
Plug In Partners
JULY 12, 2007
Ford, utility join to promote plug-in vehicles Reuters India Sat Jul 7, 2007 DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co and power utility Southern California Edison will announce an unusual alliance on Monday aimed at clearing the way for a new generation of rechargeable electric cars, the companies said.
Plug In Partners
NOVEMBER 7, 2007
Audi Metroproject Quattro T his has been a big week of announcements from car manufacturers. One is from the new auto start up Fisker. Fisker's high end-plug in CNET News Blog Posted by Michael Kanellos Fisker Automotive. Think of it as a marriage between the Chevy Volt and the Tesla Roadster.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 30, 2007
GreenOptions blog reports that Mayor RT Rybak of Minneapolis is now driving a plug-in hybrid. His daily drive, a Prius, has been converted. He's also moving the Minnesota city along a solar fast track.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 30, 2007
Got2BeGreen reports BYD, a large Chinese firm that is jumping into cars, will be showing a plug-in hybrid, the F6DM, at the Detroit Auto Show. According to this report, it will begin selling next year in China for about $20,000.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
FEBRUARY 18, 2007
I'm currently working on a battery equalizer for the 914 EV based on the whitepaper at the following link: [link] The above two schematics show the circuit that I'm experimenting with using 12V batteries. It seems to work fine on my bench.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 28, 2007
Thomson Financial is reporting that Mitsubishi aims to launch its i-MiEV city electric car one year earlier than expected. Techon blog from Japan gives more details. 16kWh of Lithium betteries. 160 kilometer range.
Plug In Partners
MAY 7, 2007
P erhaps the most important milestone in developing Plug in Hybrids is the availability of an affordable, practical, and powerful battery pack. Here is a significant announcement by David Vieau , CEO of A123 Systems.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 25, 2007
The Fisker Coachbuild name meant nothing to me, but I'm not really an auto geek. We recently read that this premium automobile design company intends to offer a luxury plug-in hybrid.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 21, 2007
I took a few hours today to get the small hairdryers installed. In order to have a convenient switch to activate the hairdryers, I hijacked the defroster knob switch. I was lucky enough to have this option on my car.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 19, 2007
Today was a bit slow. I received some AMP pins in the mail that fit the special connectors on the DMOC445 controller. To make the serial port more robust, I crimped the pins onto the ends of the 16-gauge wires and inserted them into the 8-position connector that came with the DMOC.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 16, 2007
After sleeping for 14 hours last night, I think I'm somewhat recovered from that nasty cold. I dropped by Parkrose hardware after work and picked up some stuff to install in the EV.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 13, 2007
Since I'm stuck indoors today to recover from a sore throat, I put together the following schematic to drive the fuel gauge based on the pack voltage. Click to enlarge the image) With the exception of the 4N25 opto-isolator, which I salvaged from a dead UPS, all parts are available at Radio Shack.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 12, 2007
The major project of the day was finishing the rain gutter under the engine compartment lid. The original gutter was too deep and interfered with the rear battery box. As described in a previous post, I purchased a piece of ABS plastic from TAP plastics and bent the edges to make a rain catch.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 12, 2007
I had a bit more time today to work on some other small projects. Here's the 914 patiently waiting for its rebuilt transmission from Rennsport Systems. It'll be awhile since Rennsport won't start on the rebuild until November.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 11, 2007
I've long heard rumors of Chinese auto makers developing an electric car. It makes lots of sense, given Chinese battery production. Now Autobloggreen has a report out of China involving BYD. I recalled hearing in 2005 that BYD acquired a license from Ovonics to manufacture NiMH batteries.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 10, 2007
Another auto maker is suggesting the future is with electric cars. CNet is reporting Subaru will be showing an electric car prototype at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month. Unlike many electric prototypes - Nissan's Pivo comes to mind - the G4e looks like it could appear in showrooms today.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 9, 2007
Business Green Blog in the UK reports on a plan to install 250 EV charging stations in England. Elektromotive is making a sleek charge point with a tiny footprint.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 6, 2007
After receiving an updated.css file (ccShell config file) from Azure Dynamics for the DMOC445, I was able to access the EE1SpeedoDiv variable. After setting this to a non-zero value, I attached a scope to pin 25 of the main DMOC connector and (yay!)
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 6, 2007
I purchased a new pilot bearing for the flywheel to see if replacing it would help with the rattles. Flywheel - it's what's for dinner!
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
OCTOBER 5, 2007
Last week Craig at Camp914 offered to lend me another transmission to see if I had vibrational issues. I drove out to Camp914 this morning. I wish to express much gratitude to Craig for letting me borrow this spare tranny.
Plugs and Cars
OCTOBER 2, 2007
VW's announced "Up Concept" city cars could have a Plug-in Hybrid version. Autoblog and Left Lane News are reporting VW will be showing a PHEV UP at the LA Auto Show. Small enough to be labeled "tiny" in DailyTech.com 's headline.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
Today had some ups and downs. I got the adapter hub from Electro Automotive back today. I installed it on the motor shaft and, to my delight, it had less than 1 mil of runout and wobble! That's how the hub is supposed to work.
Plug In Partners
MAY 23, 2007
F or those who think that GM is not serious about its new PHEV , the Volt , here is a piece that makes you think they are: The Volt To Be Lutz's Legacy May 21, 2007 So, I heard General Motors’ Bob Lutz on National Public Radio’s “Wait.
Plugs and Cars
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
A few months ago I attended an eco-event in Fairfax, CA with my electric car. Someone seems to have videotaped me and posted it on youtube.
Plug In Partners
JUNE 14, 2007
Air-Car Ready for Mass Production Bob Ewig Popular Mechanics May 31, 2007 The world's first commercial compressed air-powered vehicle is rolling towards the production line.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
After putting the adapter hub from Electro Auto onto the motor shaft no less than twenty times, I'm pooped. I tried filing down several different faces of the hub to get the runout and wobble down and failed. It's going back to EA tomorrow morning for a new one.
Plug In Partners
SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
A nother major manufacturer is unveiling their PHEV at a car show. This time, it's Volvo. Here's the story from duemotori.com.
Plug In Partners
APRIL 23, 2007
The submission deadline is Thursday, May 31, 2007. T he Department of Energy is moving forward to develop advanced batteries for PHEV s. Here is the story. DOE to Provide up to $14 Million to Develop Advanced Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S.
Porsche 914 EV Conversion
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I get rather concerned that rain entering the engine compartment will cause problems with the electrical wiring. Many other 914 EV'ers have protected their wiring inside conduit boxes and other shields.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
130 
Let's personalize your content