David French writes:

Electric vehicles are going to have to compete against continued improvements in gasoline vehicles. Furthermore, even if there's a gasoline shortage, vehicles can run on natural gas.

Here's a link to a University of Ottawa team who have designed a car capable of travelling 1,500 miles per gallon:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html?id=3215185&sponsor=

The good news is that their advanced motor design can be used in a gasoline electric hybrid.

My question is: how are such high efficiencies achieved?

David J. French

Renton shares this:

My daughter lives in Calgary and while out for a walk passed by a new school scheduled to open in September, and noticed the attached. On lifting the cover of the grey box behind, she noted that a key was required for activation.

Everyone is invited to attend, and show their EV, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, human/electric Hybrid projects (large and small), at this year's EV Expo!

The EV Expo is free to the public (note: regular admission applies to the museum buildings).

There is no charge for private owners or commercial exhibitors to display. No advance registration is necessary, but let us know if you will need access to an outlet (120V AC only).

Those interested in following what's being said in parliament about electric vehicles can use a tool that makes finding that information much more friendly:
OpenParliament.ca

Updated: As of June 7, 2010, the ban on EV conversions imposed by the MTO since mid February, has been lifted!

Details at website.

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Please help spread the word, and take action!

Members of various EV clubs in Ontario (EVCO, DEVA, EVSC) have been told by the MTO (Ontario Ministry of Transportation) that they can not register their newly converted electric vehicles, and have not been given a valid reason. The MTO has not published publicly any document or announcement about this ban on EV registrations. We are not aware of any successful electric vehicle registrations since Feb 10, 2010. This has also affected a member that tried to register an OEM EV imported from the USA, which is not a converted vehicle.

Fred Green and his grand daughter, showing his red electric Jetta at EVCO EV Expo 2007. Photo by Allan PoulsenFred was a founding member of EVCO in 1980, and awarded a lifetime membership in 2000.

This is a well written article, part of a series on vehicle efficiency. Lots of examples of velomobiles and other vehicles that achieve a low Cd.

Car counsellor Brian Turner replies to a local reader about the confusion around registering an electric vehicle.

Read the complete article here.