MNN - Mother Nature Network

heard on one of our major local news stations within the last week that Charlotte, NC, which is close to where I live and work announced that the Mayor had rolled out a certain number of "smart cars," (I didn't hear the whole thing and unfortunately don't know what all that involves other than the city was forging ahead to become greener and more efficient. They also announced the city has apparently strategicly placed or made available to city employees driving the cars, a number of "charging stations" thoughout the city. I apologize for not having definitive facts and figures as I normally would when writing something like this, but I just don't have time to research it at the moment. The only number I heard was "25" and I don't know whether that refered to the number of cars rolled out, or the number of charging stations, If I remember correctly they said there were more of one than the other, either way, And, although a small announcement and small amount for such a large city, I was excitied to hear this and wanted to share the infor to anyone who is interested. I am not an engineer, scientist, or automaker, but I am a citizen of the united states who has a college education and who has had the opportunity to hold various positions within various departments or several companies. I gained a great understanding of so many processes, procedures, employee moral, work eithic, education, and communication all the way from the front line emloyees who I felt often were treated as "as low as you can go" instead of the base on which the companies needed as a foundation. I always made sure to talk to them about advanceing there career and also tried my best to make sure they knew we would not be in business withiout them and how much they were appreciated. I mention this, because I have often though about and tried to as one of my managing directors used to say: "seek to understand" as to what the root issue is causing the continued poking along of making cars more efficient, holding the government and car makers accountable for the deviousness in stating what actual gas mpg's are. I don't know if you remember, but back in the 80's I remember wowing when looking at how much a manual transmission Honda Civic with no bells and whistles or the hatchback CRV with nothing extra either - and then to find out you really dont know what car gets what mpg. And as far as these new cars coming out on the market, I agree with one of my favorite polititian's who stated several different types of alternate clean energy cars could have been produced years ago. There is absolutely no reason our gas prices should be so high and hybrid cars and the costs associated with them either. We have plenty enough of our own oil if the country just wanted to do gas only, but we dont have refineries to produce the end product which forces us to rely on other sources. Just like I saw in business, common sense, communicating , agreeing to work together in a positive proactive way, making sure salaries and bonuses are in line along with trying to in this case cut through the red tape with the government and extremely greedy individuals and groups who just continue to create additional problems for america. There are so many talented and intellectual people in the world of transportation from beggining to end, it is such a waste of time, energy, education, when all of there hands are tied and they can't get anywhere because of government gridlock and red tape. It really is sick. And how this comes across to the public and then when they start researching on there on, everyone I have talked to unless they are someone wealthy and interested in trying the new technology out, has been less than dissapointed at what they are finding. It is such a shame. There are many, many parts that are the cause of where we are with this, but knowing how and what to do, having the ability to roll out a large amount of these cars, and to create them within the needs of the average person is all available, It just appears GREED, GREED, GREED always is the first thing I see. What about you?

next "ice age" that was pushed on us in the 70's? Know your facts before you come on here and spew your garbage.

density and very light weight making it ideal in those respects is the lithium poly battery. The disadvantages are, and they are significant, COST (notice that I put it in all caps), and that is can easily destroyed by improper charging or draining the battery too low. I don't know how it compares with the number of recharge cycles or recharge time however so pardon my ignorance as to other possible disadvantages. Another alternative battery is the Nickel Iron battery. It has much of the same advantages of a Lead Acid battery with regards to charge capacity for size, rapid charging, long number of recharge cycles, etc. Its disadvantage is again cost and efficiency. A Nickel Iron battery is only 70% efficient meaning that only 70% of the energy going into the battery will come out of the battery. It also depletes its electrolyte (KOH) and must be replenished periodically. It is a wet cell. The bottom line is that what provides the disadvantages of a total electric vehicle is the batteries. An ideal battery for EVs would have high capacity for long range, rapid recharge times, near infinite number of recharge cycles, high current density, light weight, small physical size, low maintenance, not easily damaged and low costs. Given these advantages we could even accept a disadvantage of lower efficiency. Someone make me a better battery. For long trips, tow a battery trailer behind. It's not the electric car--it's the electric battery.