and the taxpayers take another one in the...
Posted on 03/17/2012 9:02:15 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
Electric car drivers hit the road Friday to inaugurate the first major section of a West Coast "Electric Highway" dotted with stations where they can charge up in 20 minutes.
The stretch of 160 miles of Interstate 5 served by eight stations marks the next big step in developing an infrastructure that until now has been limited primarily to chargers in homes and workplaces.
The stations go from the California border north to the Oregon city of Cottage Grove and are located at gas stations, restaurants and motels just off the nation's second-busiest interstate. One is at an inn that was once a stage coach stop.
Spaced about every 25 miles, the stations allow a Nissan Leaf with a range of about 70 miles to miss one and still make it to the next. Electric car drivers will be able to recharge in about 20 minutes on the fast-chargers. The charge is free for now.
"I would say range-anxiety with these fast chargers will be nearly a non-issue for me," said Justin Denley, who owns a Nissan Leaf and joined the caravan. Inspired by the stations, his family is planning a trip from Medford to Portland, a distance of about 280 miles. Last summer, he took the family on a 120-mile trip to the coast and had to include an overnight stop at an RV park to charge up.
He expects the trip to Portland to take perhaps three hours longer than in a gas car, because the only chargers available for the last 100 miles are slower, level 2 chargers.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
In my Expedition, I can go about 5 hours between refueling stops and the stop takes about 10 minutes. That means about 3% of my travel time is spent refueling.
33% of the trip time refueling or 3% -- the choice is yours.
Only a liberal would think this is "progress."
I think you’re being generous. The ranges are aleays exaggerated on those electric vehicles. You’re probably stopping at 2/3 of those stations.
That's what happens when you take a potty break and let the kids get out of the car. I travel light. My stops don't take nearly as long. ;)
/johnny
and the taxpayers take another one in the...
The ultimate goal for the left where cars are concerned.
What about the lines then? What happens if a car runs out of juice waiting in line?
Driving like this is
LEAF-FROGGING.
Of course it is--"free" electricty paid for with Other Peoples' Money (OPM); and no liquid fuels taxes to travel roads paid for and maintained with OPM
A socialist's dream!
Stupid and proud of it. Really sad and pathetic...
The vast majority of liberals are stupid at math even the simple math...
These cars are actually coal powered. We’re on the road to nowhere.
Bump
Utopia is here at last!!
The World’s longest theme park.
I keep thinking back to the old “Elementary Electronics” magazine where there was a column where readers wrote in questions. It was “Ask Hank (Scott), He Knows.” It was about 1979/80 where someone wrote in claiming there was an electric car that could go 150 miles or so, has a top speed of 40 MPH and can recharge in a few minutes. I remember Hank responded where it would take so much amperage at 120 volts or even 240 volts where the house wiring would have to be a huge gauge. He also made the point where batteries are not designed to be charged very fast and under that much amperage, the battery would get so hot, it would glow.
And when you are slowed or stopped in construction traffic in 100 degree heat or zero degree cold at night with the lights on or in rain and 100% humidity with the wipers on full? And when you are climbing up a steep grade toward mountain pass or running against a stiff wind?
A 1,000 mile run in a real vehicle means two gas/food stops and a maybe a couple more to pee. I cannot imagine how miserable it would be to have to stop 19 times for 20 or more minutes each. And then to be cramped up in some ugly little thing like that.....
This senior has to stop more often than my kids ever did. The government is flying in the face of technologic possibilities right now. A functional electric car is probably ten years down the road, barring a sudden break through. I always keep in mind that the scientists competing for a government prize did NOT produce the first airplace, but two guys working out of their bike shop. Steve Jobs started in his garage.
1. Battery life expectancy and replacement value ( $$$$ deduction).
2. Huge rebate at the purchase time ($$$$ deduction)
3. Maintenance and/or unpopularity issue ($$$$ deduction).
I can see some horrified faces already!
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