Give green light to electric cars

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Monday, December 01, 2008 3:41:45 PM

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GasBuddy News Article

Give green light to electric cars Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The Calgary Herald -- Now that Vancouver's city council has used the powers delegated to it by Transport Canada to allow electric cars on some of its streets, it is much more likely that cars the size of golf carts will become a familiar sight in Canadian cities. Even in Calgary? It is certainly an idea that should be considered. Presumably, low-speed vehicles will add to the base load through timed circuits and smart chargers, to take advantage of low overnight electricity rates. Thus, they would draw on the major energy source in each province. In Ontario that would be nuclear, and in B.C., Quebec and Manitoba, hydro power.
Visit The Calgary Herald for full article

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	Tuesday, October 07, 2008 The Calgary Herald -- Now that Vancouver's city council has used the powers delegated to it by Transport Canada to allow electric cars on some of its streets, it is much more likely that cars the size of golf carts will become a familiar sight in Canadian cities. Even in Calgary? It is certainly an idea that should be considered. Presumably, low-speed vehicles will add to the base load through timed circuits and smart chargers, to take advantage of low overnight electricity rates. Thus, they would draw on the major energy source in each province. In Ontario that would be nuclear, and in B.C., Quebec and Manitoba, hydro power. Visit The Calgary Herald for full article

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JediKnight Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,359 Points:1,131,725 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 11:55:55 PM	Ignore JediKnight Report Abuse
	kingdick, I suppose every region has it's own electric grid issues... But I find it a bit hard to believe that overnight "off peak" time when many EV cars might be getting "topped off" is HIGH DEMAND time for many Power Plants. For many it's when electricity is "cheapest". Also, without much real data, I suspect an EV battery pack charger wouldn't require a lot of AMPS over say 8 hours... If somebody upgrade the lights in their home with CFLs, I'd suspect the Watts saved might equal an EV charge. Anyone want to speculate?
kingdick Champion Author Minnesota Posts:19,522 Points:1,538,820 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:50:41 PM	Ignore kingdick Report Abuse
	----------------------------------- I like the Idea of an Electic Car. But right now there are places in the USA that do not have enough generating capacity with standard electric plants. They have to use diesel powered genarators to meet the current demand. If we add all these plugin electric cars our electric power costs will go UP UP !! Maybe to hurt us as bad as Crude prices. -----------------------------------
ButtTrusted Rookie Author Nevada Posts:54 Points:137,280 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 12:34:07 PM	Ignore ButtTrusted Report Abuse
	Sounds great!
duriarte All-Star Author Utah Posts:755 Points:163,565 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 12:21:39 PM	Ignore duriarte Report Abuse
	I like that!
91Acclaim Veteran Author Maryland Posts:410 Points:84,810 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 12:13:58 PM	Ignore 91Acclaim Report Abuse
	Electric bicycles for everyone!!!!!!
MajorSteve All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:548 Points:248,070 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 11:34:11 AM	Ignore MajorSteve Report Abuse
	good news
kdhloretto Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:246 Points:257,620 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 11:00:45 AM	Ignore kdhloretto Report Abuse
	A fundamental truth: If an adequate low cost electric source is available, the right vehicles will be developed.
acknot All-Star Author Seattle Posts:926 Points:653,480 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:54:02 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	A car that small is not safe. Would you survive a collision with a SUV?
tahoe0708 All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:931 Points:166,730 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:51:30 AM	Ignore tahoe0708 Report Abuse
	electric cars will be a good alternative...
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,581 Points:1,024,595 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:50:21 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	Ok, now we need to improve on the Batteries so that we can drive further on a charge.
KingCroc Rookie Author Georgia Posts:38 Points:81,235 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:49:47 AM	Ignore KingCroc Report Abuse
	Maybe that is an alternative for the future. For city driving or local trips, we have an electric car to slow us down and consume less oil and gas. For long trips, we use the gasoline powered engines. Who knows?
dj21 Champion Author Hamilton Posts:7,516 Points:1,397,730 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:48:50 AM	Ignore dj21 Report Abuse
	that all we need..... a bunch of golf carts going ddown the streets at 25 mph. sounds like the Caddyshack movie with a bunch of accidents thrown in.
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,016 Points:442,315 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:48:41 AM	Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse
	Go green!!!
kdhloretto Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:246 Points:257,620 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:47:53 AM	Ignore kdhloretto Report Abuse
	Electric makes sense for the future but... Our current electric grid cannot support the long terms needs. Especially at the current price rates. We need much more electric capacity. That means nuclear and/or coal. Lots of it. Also, a much expanded transmission distribution system. Wind & Solar will not produce enough at a reasonable price for the foreseeable future. (I am open to it, but I don't see how right now.) If an adequate low cost electric source is available, the right vehicles will be developed.
2009TDI All-Star Author San Diego Posts:531 Points:99,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:47:43 AM	Ignore 2009TDI Report Abuse
	lots of obstacles to over come here.
suzyq2007 Sophomore Author Dallas Posts:188 Points:206,630 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:45:39 AM	Ignore suzyq2007 Report Abuse
	I cannot imagine having very many electric cars in use. Not with the traffic we have in my area. I know I do not want one. We need a better alternative.
Caspertherat Sophomore Author Arkansas Posts:155 Points:37,530 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:44:57 AM	Ignore Caspertherat Report Abuse
	Interesting. Let's see what happens
herbie1NC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:683 Points:142,635 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:43:54 AM	Ignore herbie1NC Report Abuse
	Oh Canada.........
rondobbs Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,305 Points:1,397,695 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:42:07 AM	Ignore rondobbs Report Abuse
	the technology needs to improve but we need to investigate other methods such as hydrogen fuel cells. As for the batteries that run electric cars we need to make them here in our country not buy them from Japan
cableman31 All-Star Author New York Posts:823 Points:440,600 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:41:57 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	Electric rates next to increase.
mattf373 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:606 Points:115,720 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:41:22 AM	Ignore mattf373 Report Abuse
	go green
FFootdoc12 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:255 Points:41,230 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:40:08 AM	Ignore FFootdoc12 Report Abuse
	its gonna be an interesting ride
Gassipper30mpg Veteran Author Rhode Island Posts:434 Points:114,135 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:40:06 AM	Ignore Gassipper30mpg Report Abuse
	Gas still comming down here in Rhode Island. $3.31 per gal.
eaglev Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,033 Points:343,070 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:36:42 AM	Ignore eaglev Report Abuse
	"To be sure, low-speed vehicles are not for everybody. For one thing, they're slow: As they do not have to meet the same safety requirements as larger, heavier automobiles, Transport Canada insists on a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Range is also restricted." That is about 25mph. Who is going to drive that slow????
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,715 Points:651,870 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:34:18 AM	Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
	I'd love an electric car... my solar panels would charge it with no carbon footprint to speak of... But preferably a well-made vehicle, designed for commuting... not some knee-jerk piece of junk from Detroit
tags610 Champion Author Lincoln Posts:2,408 Points:530,275 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:31:56 AM	Ignore tags610 Report Abuse
	Good luck.
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,631 Points:1,004,285 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:31:44 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	green means go
EZExit Veteran Author Phoenix Posts:372 Points:94,025 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:31:27 AM	Ignore EZExit Report Abuse
	It's a drop in the bucket, all fluff, but nothing will change dramatically in this regard unless they mass produce this stuff to make it affordable to the average person. Who has $50,000 to drop for a clown car that has a limited range?
sailormon All-Star Author Michigan Posts:669 Points:210,180 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:30:26 AM	Ignore sailormon Report Abuse
	"Transport Canada to allow electric cars on some of its streets..." As long as high speed and low speed do not mix, sounds like a great idea!
r651981 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:502 Points:426,700 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:26:54 AM	Ignore r651981 Report Abuse
	I would hate to run into a golf cart at night on a dark street. Low speed vehicles need to be limited as to where and when they are allowed on city streets.
MTPokts Sophomore Author Indianapolis Posts:245 Points:72,820 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:26:18 AM	Ignore MTPokts Report Abuse
	Electric cars have their place. Somewhere. They are a good choice for inner-city errants. But not viable for interstate travel. At least not yet.
tigeriz Veteran Author Maine Posts:302 Points:73,145 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:25:53 AM	Ignore tigeriz Report Abuse
	old news.
Arktander All-Star Author Illinois Posts:639 Points:366,065 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:19:45 AM	Ignore Arktander Report Abuse
	Electric cars are only one alternative. There are likely others that are better.
odcarazo Sophomore Author Los Angeles Posts:104 Points:117,855 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:17:09 AM	Ignore odcarazo Report Abuse
	Still electricity is an expensive fuel and sometimes it may be produced somehow from oil ... ???
hankmercury Sophomore Author Oklahoma Posts:115 Points:349,995 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:14:40 AM	Ignore hankmercury Report Abuse
	well if the gas & oil drops then the USA will quit thinking about Electic Cars
unicornpmb Veteran Author Buffalo Posts:310 Points:34,635 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:11:18 AM	Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse
	I hope Radio Shack stocks up. These batteries will not last as long as a engine.
GasaHawg Veteran Author Texas Posts:477 Points:95,655 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:10:29 AM	Ignore GasaHawg Report Abuse
	Talk is cheap. Electric cars are still a dream and will remain that way until there are many advances in battery improvement.
rockinrog All-Star Author Ontario Posts:888 Points:690,655 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:10:22 AM	Ignore rockinrog Report Abuse
	This is OUR government looking out for OUR interests....NOT!
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,409 Points:1,509,550 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:08:41 AM	Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse
	Our Cdn regulators are way behind the times on electrics & Canada has 3 co's producing them but they can't sell them in Canada.An electric moped is allowed on roads, where an electric car (even those with more speed than the mopeds) are not ..... must be because their safer & the gov't would like to kill off as many electric & green advocates as possible before the next election.
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,501 Points:109,030 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:08:37 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	amacquarrie said ...... "i wonder if my employer will be ok with me plugging in at work....I think not." Did you ask him/her/whatever?
ljmatney All-Star Author Wichita Posts:643 Points:119,755 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:07:57 AM	Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse
	We just need to keep working on these technologies really hard.
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,501 Points:109,030 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:06:36 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	There was a report here in Quebec about wind mills have an effect on people's minds.
andyrew Sophomore Author Baltimore Posts:247 Points:80,615 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:03:38 AM	Ignore andyrew Report Abuse
	get the electric cars out there, let get battery technology up, and lets get some nuclear plants going. and lets not forget about wind and solar. those are untapped resources that no one seems to really be working on.
amacquarrie Veteran Author Nevada Posts:353 Points:81,235 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:03:37 AM	Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
	i wonder if my employer will be ok with me plugging in at work....I think not.
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:1,358 Points:830,350 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:03:11 AM	Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse
	Time will tell
april4 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,950 Points:803,275 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:02:56 AM	Ignore april4 Report Abuse
	Great!
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,501 Points:109,030 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:02:40 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	Get a battery warmer.
traindude All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:600 Points:191,820 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:01:40 AM	Ignore traindude Report Abuse
	sounds good. soon parking meters and electric meters will be one in the same
JMJarvis1952 Veteran Author Houston Posts:322 Points:133,885 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:01:17 AM	Ignore JMJarvis1952 Report Abuse
	How do golf carts fare in the snow? Don't cold batteries drain quicker?
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:9,860 Points:729,285 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 10/8/2008 10:00:09 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	Electric vehicles are good but they need more 'storage capacity' for a better mile range. Install solar cells and wind turbines on your house to keep the electrical expense recharge lower. Install solar cells on the top of the vehicle, the hood and the trunk to help with the recharge while driving! Produce more renewable energy from solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, hydropower, or thermal. Support the electrical grid!