Today is Good News Tuesday. After weeks and weeks of political squabbling about our current energy crisis, regular Americans are showing why our country is great. American ingenuity and work ethic will drive our nation toward alternative energy sources and the goal of US energy independence, regardless of how hard the politicians try to get in the way.
The Spirit of DC is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle that is currently travelling all around America. Called PHEV3A (PHEV All Around America), the goal of their country-wide tour is to show the nation that plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are truly practical and are possible now, we do not need to wait for new technology to be developed. The converted 2005 Toyota Prius has a battery pack that was added to the rear of the vehicle, allowing it to be charged from a regular electrical outlet. This allows the Prius to run on all-electric power for a greater percentage of time, resulting in 100+ MPG.
Imagine what a fleet of PHEV’s getting 100+MPG would do to our dependence on foreign oil. Urge your elected officials to support tax credits for PHEV ownership, and ask them to help encourage our auto companies to quickly bring new PHEV’s to market. Ask them to spend some of the existing $35 Billion in taxes that ExxonMobile paid last quarter on supporting alternative energy sources. Toyota and Honda currently lead the field in electric hybrids, and if our auto industry truly does not want to become irrelevant, they need to quickly bring more hybrids and PHEVs into production immediately.
If you think you might be a potential sponsor you can contact PHEV3A’s Co-Chairs, Joseph Lado, at the virtual PHEV3A operations Center (Poc) by emailing joelado@yahoo.comand “on the Road” PHEV3A driver “EVJerry” Asher at EVisionA2Z@usa.net. You can keep up to date on their progress at their blog.
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8 Comments
Awesome! Good to see an effort like this making headway. If I had my way, all cars would be hybrids! It’s just too bad that they still cost so much more than comparable fuel efficient cars. Also, the batteries are still awfully toxic, and they take quite a bit of energy input to make and recycle. If you take this into account, some experts say they are no more efficient than a regular car. And, they may actually do more harm to the environment. Obviously, more research needs to be done. I just hope gas prices stay high enough to make this possible.
I like the PHEV because it is a great step away from burning something to power transportation! There are so many alternative ways to generate electricity, and transportation is so dependent on liquid fuel… we all need to support PHEV!
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Just out of curiosity - have they said how many kwh it takes to recharge this thing? Since you are plugging it in to your regular electrical outlet - does that not mean it is still dependent on oil? Afterall, our electric companies have to burn oil to create the energy to make electricity. Sorry - it might save at the pump - but - its gonna kill ya at the electrical outlet whereby not saving you anything at all when all is said and done and it hasn’t helped reduce the consumption of oil
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How electric co.’s generate depends on where you live. Most of them generate from coal - over 50%, the next highest is hydro at about 20%, then natural gas at 16%. (2006 data). Most utilities switched from oil in the oil crisis of the 70’s.
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Electric is definitely part of the mix for new vehicles.
However, lifestyle change will be necessary too.
Living closer to work and shops. Using personal transport less and mass transit more.
Only living in the countryside if your job demands it.
James.
http://the-goodlife.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great comments guys. As Avid outlined, yes we have to fill our PHEV’s with electricity, however a good percentage is currently renewable or nuclear. In addition, it is generally more efficient to produce electricity in bulk, as opposed to individual ICE’s in every car.
Bobo, our electric grid was taken off oil by Jimmy Carter back in the 1970s thanks to the first oil crisis. Our electricity is almost oil free thanks to him. Less than 3% comes from oil from very old plants that are about to be decommissioned. The fastest way to get off of oil is to go electric. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by Joseph, and for your comments. As you point out, only a very small percentage of our electricty is produced with oil. Latest estimates I have seen are less than 2%, with coal fired plants producing almost 50%.
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