[ausev] 40 hp bus

[Ian Ward]

I was assuming you were comparing the innovation required for vehicles of
yesteryear versus those of today. It's a not a fair comparison for millions
of reasons.
I agree with most of what you are saying, but until the industry rallies
around EV technology, the economies of scale make EVs impractical and
they'll remain in the garages of enthusiasts. The world society is
consumer-driven and until consumers can financially realize (as in benefit
from) the improved efficiency of EVs, the majority will not be consumers of
EVs. It's finally happening now, but the mistake was make 8 years ago when
the domestics killed their EV programs. The price of oil dropping won't help
keep in the front of consumer minds, but I think we have an incoming
executive and congress that will not loose sight of the future consequences
of letting that happen again. Because of the poor decisions made by Detroit,
Washington will have the power to make it happen - if we hold them to it.

I'm glad you're excited about EVs and I hope you do get one on the road.

- ian

On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 2:03 PM, Jim Watson <osious at gmail.com> wrote:

> I wasn't comparing the bus to the steam car, I was just asking where
> innovation has gone in this country. 100 years ago we were making cars like
> that Dobel. Here is a site that talks about three cars that were made before
> the depression that were all alternate fuel vehicles. One was fully
> electric! (Baker Electric) Why didn't they make it?? Car companies say we
> don't have the technology to make anything other than gas using vehicles.
> Jay Leno is the proud owner of all three alternate fuel vehicles that were
> made before the depression. They are all very cool,.. You should also look
> at the Jay Leno video clip about the Dobel. It is very inspiring! He says
> that his Dobel is more sophisticated than any car in his garage. Talk about
> innovation!!!! He has lots of million dollar sport cars! The funny thing is,
> the gas cars are the MOST inefficient of all vehicles!!! I have heard that
> only 20-30% of the gas that you put in your car actualy propels the car
> forward. This non-gas using vehicle stuff is so interesting. I am looking
> forward to making my own electric car.
>
>
> http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4215940.html?nav=RSS20
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 12:32 PM, Ian Ward <ian.ward at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Yeah...who needs a seat belts, anti-lock brakes or a roof! And how many of
>> those did they sell for $20,000 in 1924? That would be like a quarter
>> million dollar car, today.
>> Not that I'm defending the big 2.5, but come on! apples to ... cumquat?
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Jim Watson <osious at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I heard about a new bus their making in India. It runs off of a 40 hp gas
>>> motor,.... This motor then turns an extremely heavey flywheel up to around
>>> 40,000 rpms. They found a way, using composites, to keep the fly wheel from
>>> exploding. The bus driver says the bus handles like a Porch. The bus has no
>>> brakes,.. hahaha braking actualy restores mechanical power to the flywheel
>>> to slow the bus down. cool stuff.
>>>
>>> Has anyone heard about the 1924 Dobel steam car. It weighs 6000 lbs. It
>>> has about 1000 ft lbs of torque. It will start up in less than 30 seconds
>>> from (cold to moving). top speed 90 mph. It uses 24 gallons of water and a
>>> quart of oil every 100 miles or so. At 70 mph the engine is turning 900
>>> rpms!!!! Why can't american car companies be this inovative???? Don't answer
>>> that,....
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
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>
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