Posts Tagged ‘miss electric’

The world’s first plug-in Hummer H3 is a major game-changer. This demonstration vehicle, produced by Raser Technologies, is intended to show the world that big, beefy cars do not always have to be gas-guzzlers.

The plug-in H3 was on display at last month’s Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, CA. The new and improved H3 runs solely on electricity for the first 40 miles. After that, a fuel-efficient gasoline generator kicks in for trips longer than 40 miles. This makes the H3 an E-REV, or an “extended range electric vehicle,” similar to the platform of the Chevy Volt.

I spoke with David West, Raser’s Vice-President of Marketing, to find out how this vehicle works. “To make our trucks green, we don’t propel the vehicle any longer with gasoline. We replace it with a custom electric motor and battery pack. The motor has to be powerful enough to propel the car, yet small enough to be able to fit in the available space. We take out the old gas engine and put in a small EcoTech 4-cylinder engine from GM. This combustion engine provides auxiliary power to the vehicle when needed,” West told me.

Raser Technologies decided to focus on converting large trucks because they are the number one selling vehicles in America and are most commonly used by fleets. They plan to deliver EREV pick-up trucks to fleet buyers first, while developing similar products to consumers within the next few years.

While taking a test drive in the vehicle, I asked David, “You must get all kinds of interesting looks from people on the street, don’t you?” He replied, “Yeah, I get some people who drive past us on the street all the time and tell us ‘We don’t believe you!’”

Believe it or not, this car shows that even massive cars like the Hummer can benefit from electric drive technology. As Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “The Hummer is not what is wrong…it is the engine, it is the technology, so what we have to change is not the car and the size of the cars, what we have to change is the technology.”

Dr. Shannon Arvizu loves driving clean, green machines. You can find out more at MissElectric.com.

Last night, as I was walking to a music venue on Main St. in Venice, I happened across this stunning futuristic piece of machinery. It is a converted plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius that runs on electricity and algae fuel.

It happens to be driven by Josh and Rebecca Tikell, who also directed the award-winning documentary, Fuel.  The couple drove the algae plug-in hybrid across the country last year to promote Fuel. They are also working on a new documentary at the moment called, “Spill,” which brings attention to this summer’s Gulf Oil Spill and its aftermath.

So, what’s the deal with the plug-in hybrid algae car? Well, for one, it uses no petroleum. The vehicle is either propelled by electrical energy only (stored in the onboard battery pack underneath the rear cargo space) or by a blend of electrical energy and algae fuel.

Rebecca told me that the car is capable of traveling 30 miles in all-electric mode. The blended mode kicks in after 30 miles, delivering an estimated 150 miles per gallon over those first 100 miles. After the first 100 miles, she says that the Prius still gets superb mpg. The most efficient driving mode is all-electric, of course, and you can plug the converted car into any standard 110-volt wall outlet and fully charge in just six hours.

While plug-in hybrid Prius conversions have been around for awhile now, this is the first one powered by algae fuel (others have used petroleum). Josh and Rebecca have algae fuel for their car provided by Sapphire Energy. The beauty of algae fuel is that it is one of the most sustainably produced fuels in the world. Find out how algae fuel is produced here.

I plan on following up with Josh and Rebecca to learn more about this technology and find out how close we are to actually getting cars like this on the market. Needless to say, it is an exciting time in automotive history and I am glad that we are using our ingenuity to solve one of the most critical issues of our day.

Dr. Shannon Arvizu loves driving clean, green machines. You can find out more at MissElectric.com.

In the second installment of my review for the Ford Fiesta, I focus on the surprising features that truly enhanced my driving experience.

While the 2011 Ford Fiesta is known for being an economical and fuel-efficient vehicle, it delivers supremely well in the comfort and connectivity department.

The model I drove came with Ford’s SYNC system, which seamlessly detected my iPhone and downloaded my contacts in minutes. I made and received several hands-free phone calls this way without a problem. Callers were easily identified on the 4-inch multifunctional LCD display, which was positioned high on the instrument panel where you don’t have to take your eyes completely off the road.

In addition to hands-free calls, you can also send text messages using nothing but voice commands. SYNC has the capability to offer turn-by-turn navigation and a handy “business search” when you’re seeking out a nearby locale. After a few days of use, I found myself wishing that all new cars today had a program like SYNC to increase driver safety.

In terms of interior ambiance, the Fiesta was surprisingly chic. I enjoyed the sleek colored lighting that illuminated the interior during the evening. The Fiesta is engineered with an acoustic-laminated windshield and sound-absorbent material to minimize road noise. That translated to a very crisp and clear listening environment when speaking with passengers or listening to SIRIUS radio on the Fiesta’s 80-watt premium sound speakers.

The Fiesta also really impressed me with its numerous safety features. The car comes equipped with seven standard airbags, including side-curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. When making tight turns at high speeds, the Fiesta felt sturdy and in control, thanks to its electronic stability control system that applies the brakes or reduces engine power when it detects a skid or slide. I also really appreciated the integrated blind spot mirrors that helps when changing lanes or backing up.

Overall, the 2011 Ford Fiesta lives up to the reputation that Henry Ford Jr. envisioned when the first-generation Fiesta emerged in the 1970s. Ford’s original idea was to create an efficient car for the masses, similar to the role the Model T played at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, there are over 12 million Fiestas on the road. With this new sixth-generation Fiesta, Ford got it right – especially when it comes to comfort and safety features. Hopefully, the Ford Focus Electric (due in 2012) will also have some of the same features. And maybe – just maybe – we can hope for an improved, more efficient electric drive Fiesta in the future, as well.

Dr. Shannon Arvizu loves driving clean, green machines. You can find out more at MissElectric.com.

Can Americans handle this much Fiesta? We had to wait awhile to get our hands on a 2011 Ford Fiesta. Ford has been touting the vehicle for over a year now through their highly successful Ford Fiesta Movement and Fiesta Project on YouTube. Finally, this summer, the Ford Fiesta is now available for purchase.

I test drove the Ford Fiesta for one week all across Southern California. I usually only test drive hybrid and plug-in vehicles, but I gave the Fiesta a shot because it is known to be a fuel-sipping, low-emitting vehicle with an attractive price tag.

Let’s talk efficiency first. It is clear that Ford paid a lot of attention to how to maximize efficiency from this vehicle. From its very responsive PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission to its aerodynamic exterior, the Fiesta is designed to eke out the highest mpg possible. The model I drove came with the Super Fuel Economy Package, which offers additional aerodynamic details such as underbody shields and blockers on the lower grille.

Over the course of 350 miles, I averaged 33.7 mpg. This is what I would have expected, given the EPA estimate of 40 mpg (hwy)/29 mpg (city). However, I can’t say that I drove the Fiesta very efficiently. Since the Fiesta is also engineered to provide a smooth ride, even at high speeds with its electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system, I could easily put the pedal to the metal and feel like I was just cruising.

I could have maximized more mpg if the Fiesta had an efficiency gauge that showed me real-time fuel consumption. Efficiency gauges now come standard in most hybrid models so that drivers know how their fuel consumption varies according to how one drives. In lieu of an efficiency gauge, I set the Fiesta on cruise control at 65 mph for longer freeway trips during my last 100 miles of traveling. As expected, my fuel economy increased significantly to over 40 mpg at times.

However, the Ford Fiesta is not only known for its fuel economy. It also stands out for its cutting-edge features intended to enhance the overall driving experience. In the second installment of my review, I attend to those creature comforts that really make this economy model stand out from the rest of the pack.

Dr. Shannon Arvizu loves driving clean, green machines. You can find out more at MissElectric.com.

The next three years will be exciting for early adopters in the car industry. As mentioned in a previous post, automakers plan to release next-generation technology that will revolutionize the way we drive. They are part of a new wave of electric vehicles that are designed to reduce overall driving costs, clean our air, and create an interactive driving experience like no other.

But what is it really like to drive an electric car? This week, I interviewed Stefano Paris, who leased an all-electric MINI Cooper (the MINI E) this past year. He gives us the low-down on what it’s like to be one of the first to drive an advanced electric vehicle.

Keep in mind that Stefano has been one of the very early adopters for this technology. Those lucky enough to secure a Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, or Ford Focus Electric will benefit from a newly established charging infrastructure in one of ten regions across the country, as well as the opportunity to benefit from being able to actually purchase their vehicles. This is historically monumental.

Q: What excites you the most about driving an electric car?

Stefano: The sensation of driving a high performance electric car is one of seamless power, lightning quick acceleration, and effortless glide. The convenience and time saving of charging up at home also insures a fully “fueled” vehicle every morning.

Q: What motivated you to be an “early adopter” for new clean car technology?

Stefano:  Several years ago I installed a SunPower 4kW photovoltaic solar system on my roof that generates more energy than required by my house.  I saw a perfect marriage between solar power and electric cars, as I could do all my yearly driving on the excess solar energy and still have a $0 electrical bill.

Q: What is it about the MINI E that attracted you?

Stefano:  The MINI Cooper was already a very cute and adorable car.  Adding an electric drive system could only increase their appeal.  What is particularly pleasing and provides 50% of the fun of driving electric is the very efficient and aggressive regenerative braking of the legendary AC Propulsion drive systems.  As soon as I learned the MINI E was powered by AC Propulsion, I knew the MINI E was going to be fantastic, powerful, quick, and tremendous fun.

Q: How did you apply? Why do you think you were chosen?

Stefano: The application process was very selective and arduous.  Initially everyone that was interested added their email address to MINI’s database to be informed of future MINI E announcements.  On November 19^th, 2008 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW officially announced their MINI E one year lease only program and opened up a website where one could apply to be a MINI E “test driver” after completing a very thorough 2 hour online questionnaire. I received notice in January that I had passed their initial MINI E applicant screening via the online questionnaire.  Selected applicants had to then pass insurance and garage inspection processes.

Q: What did you like the most about being an early adopter?

Stefano: I enjoy adopting early in order to help make the future happen today, within my lifetime.  We can wait around forever for the future to arrive or we can make conscious efforts to improve our living for a more sustainable world. Every single drive of my MINI E was always a smile inducing special experience.  Driving electric has yet to get mundane and continues to be a magical experience even after 20,000 electric miles.

Adopting early also requires you to be flexible and inventive.  Given the lack of compatible public charge stations, I quickly learned and built a significant “charging kit” of cables and adapters that allowed me to drive my MINI E anywhere I wanted.  I even drove my MINI E on a memorable weekend trip to Northern California to visit family.

Q: What did you like the least about your car?

Stefano: The MINI shape isn’t all that aerodynamic.  A more aerodynamic shape (like a Honda CRX or EV1) would have allowed for more range with a lower energy consumption rate.

Q: Would you sign up to be an early adopter again? Why or why not?

Stefano: I’ll continue to be early adopting of all types of technologies, including electric vehicles, but will choose the purchasing and ownership route only.

Dr. Shannon Arvizu is a clean-tech consultant and educator in the plug-in vehicle field. You can read more at MissElectric.com.