Saving Trees Is Music to Guitar Makers’ Ears
==================================================================
Originally posted at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/business/smallbusiness/07sbiz.html
Source: Copyright 2007, New York Times
Date: June 7, 2007
Byline: Glenn Rifkin
Christian F. Martin IV is the sixth generation to run his family’s renowned guitar-making business, C. F. Martin & Company. But he is surely the first to worry about the availability of the distinctive woods needed to build Martin guitars, the choice of musicians like Sting, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett and John Mayer.
As old growth forests have been razed and several species of tropical woods like mahogany, ebony and rosewood have become much scarcer, guitar makers like Martin, Taylor, Fender and Gibson have had to rethink the notion that there is an inexhaustible supply of the desired woods to make their instruments.
As small, privately held companies, these instrument makers have banded together to join the burgeoning corporate social responsibility movement, not just to appear politically correct but to ensure their long-term survival.
“If I use up all the good wood, I’m out of business,” Mr. Martin said. “I have a 2-year-old daughter, Claire Frances Martin, and she can be the seventh generation C. F. Martin. I want her to be able to get materials she’ll need, just as my ancestors and I have over the past 174 years.”
Though they are fierce competitors for a small but vibrant marketplace, the companies have become aware of the significant changes in the availability and price of the best woods. In an unusual alliance, the four guitar makers have joined with Greenpeace in one of many efforts to bring attention to forest management and sustainability.
Bob Taylor, president and co-founder of Taylor Guitars in El Cajon, Calif., says that he has observed one vital wood species after another become unavailable in the 35 years he has been in business.
“I used to buy Brazilian rosewood back in the 1970s at the lumber yard for $2 a square foot,” Mr. Taylor said. “Now it’s impossible for us to make a guitar out of it and ship it outside the U.S. If we do get a little bit of it, it’s extremely expensive. The cutting of it has all but halted.”
He added that “Adirondack spruce is unavailable. Mahogany was so plentiful it was a commodity. Now only specialty cutters are getting it, and the prices have gone through the roof. All these things happened just in my lifetime.”
Greenpeace headed the Musicwood Coalition, as it is called, in January 2006, to promote better logging practices, particularly in the rain forest region in southeast Alaska. Because of its unique geography — a thin strip of land in the Alaska panhandle with the ocean on one side, huge mountains on the other — this temperate forest is considered one of the rarest on the planet.
Its majestic trees — Sitka spruce that are hundreds of years old — have been clear cut by private timber companies, and Greenpeace has worked to encourage these landowners to try new approaches that would help preserve the ancient forests.
Specifically, Greenpeace wants the private logging companies to apply for certification by the Forest Stewardship Council, an environmental organization that would require the adoption of different logging practices. Scott Paul, the forest campaign coordinator for Greenpeace, said that if the current practices continued, the last old-growth Sitka spruce trees would be gone in just six or seven years.
“This scared the hell out of them,” Mr. Paul said of the guitar makers. For them, Sitka spruce is a precious commodity, a tonal wood used for the soundboards in acoustic guitars and pianos. To achieve the sound that guitarists cherish, the Sitka spruce, at least 250 years old, has long been a required material.
Mr. Paul said that the amount of Sitka spruce used by guitar manufacturers is a tiny fraction of the total shipped. As few as 150 logs are enough to supply the whole industry each year. Nearly 80 percent of the spruce cut in Alaska is shipped to Asia, primarily Japan, for home building.
“These 400-year-old trees are getting buried in the walls of homes in Japan,” Mr. Paul said.
But while researching the customer list of Sealaska, the largest private logging company in the area, he noticed the names of well-known instrument makers and decided to get them involved to create public awareness of the issue.
Mr. Paul approached Henry E. Juszkiewicz, the chief executive of Gibson Guitar. Mr. Juszkiewicz was an early supporter of the Rain Forest Alliance on whose board he sits and helped start the SmartWood program, which monitors the poaching of endangered wood species. Over the last decade, illegal poaching of old-growth trees has become a serious problem, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
He rallied his competitors to join the Greenpeace effort. “This is both a public relations effort and an effort to do the right thing for our kids,” Mr. Juszkiewicz said.
Though the market for guitars is small — Mr. Martin estimates that three million acoustic and electric guitars are sold in the United States each year — it is growing again, especially among serious amateurs willing to pay $2,000 and up for a quality instrument.
The guitar makers are looking for alternative woods that are more plentiful and cheaper, but everyone agrees that buyers who spend a lot of money for an instrument are looking for a distinctive sound as well as the characteristic look and feel of traditional woods.
“In many cases, alternative species of woods will deliver a consumer a great instrument,” Mr. Juszkiewicz said. “From a marketing standpoint though, it’s a different story.”
His view is echoed by Brian Berk, editor in chief of the Music and Sound Retailer, an industry trade publication. “It’s going to be difficult for this effort to make a major impact on the industry because the sound is so important to the end user,” Mr. Berk said. “There are definitely replacement woods that are sustainable for making guitars. But will they sound great?”
Rock stars like Sting and Dave Matthews, among others, are lending their names to the effort. Orianthi, a 22-year-old Australian protégée of Carlos Santana who recently signed with Geffen Records, bought a new $3,000 Martin made of red birch and cherry, both sustainable woods. “Guitars made from alternative woods generally don’t sound very good,” she said, “but when I started playing this one, it sounded amazing, as good as the traditional instruments. I’m using it to record my new album.”
For the dealers, however, the buyers of high-end guitars continue to crave Brazilian rosewood and mahogany. “People are looking for investment-grade guitars,” said Joe Caruso, co-owner of the Music Emporium in Lexington, Mass. “I’ve got guitars for $25,000, and that upper-tier market has really blossomed over the last 10 years.”
Mr. Caruso noted that all guitar makers, including smaller specialty manufacturers like Collings Guitars in Austin, Tex., and independent luthiers around the country, are charging more for guitars made from the great tonal woods.
“The idea is simple: Let’s treat this resource for what it is, a really valuable, really scarce material,” Mr. Caruso said. “If you want it, pay for it.”
Mr. Martin, as with his counterparts, is seeking compromise solutions that favor better forest management rather than a complete cessation of logging in those forests. He is wary of telling the people of indigenous cultures how to run their businesses, but he doesn’t want shortsighted economic goals to endanger the future of his own business.
“None of us,” he said, “want to cut the last tree.”
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Alternative Vehicles Triple Threat
====================================================================
Four wheel electric bicycle
=================================================
See http://www.rhoadescar.com/jumpqand.htm
Lightning Electric Car
=====================================
Originally posted at
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/07/2008-Lightning-GT-700hp-Electric-Sportscar-Update_07FAB152803685.html
the lightning takes the performance car market electric
The Lightning Car Company today announced its development of a range of 700 bhp Lightning electric cars, for the first time genuinely harnessing electric motive power and uniting it with class-leading sports car design, engineering and production.
The remarkable car range has been conceived to satisfy three essential criteria, namely to deliver a highly stylised, graceful sports car with cues hinting at the quintessential British treatment of Aston Martin or TVR while delivering an explosive, dynamic performance based on new breakthrough electric technologies that make the ownership experience quicker, easier and cleaner than traditionally fuelled cars.
The Lightning Car Company draws upon 25 years of automotive experience from design and engineering personnel whose industry experience includes McLaren, Lola, Ronart and Vanwall, as well as championing the adoption and use of new generation electric battery and motor technologies derived from application in the aerospace industry. The business owners jointly share a clear vision of an electric-powered future for high performance motoring.
The Lightning began life as a traditionally powered petrol vehicle in order to develop the car’s chassis dynamics. Battery and motor technology applications allow the handling characteristics of the car to be optimised. The chassis derives its inherent dynamic quality from its aluminium honeycomb and carbon composite monocoque structure, essentially a Formula One derived concept that blends low mass with high impact qualities.
Arthur Wolstenholme, Technical Director at Lightning explains, “Ten, or perhaps even five years ago, electric power was dismissed as a poor substitute for petrol, diesel or LPG. But the world has moved on significantly – from military and aerospace applications, electric motor and battery technologies have been developed that will enable the Lightning to demonstrate 700 plus bhp performance over a range that exceeds some of today’s petrol performance cars. What’s more, the Lightning is intended to compete with premium market sport cars, but our electric power should outstrip the response rates, torque characteristics and driveability of most exotic performance super cars. Electric power has truly arrived in the performance market.”
The Lightning is set to dismiss all the preconceptions about electric power. It will be there immediately, and in abundance, providing amazing responsiveness. And, with a chassis designed to be more than capable dynamically, will make a great point to point proposition to rival the established guard.
The Lightning will combine high performance electric motive power with an advanced regenerative energy system that recharges the car’s batteries under braking by capturing lost friction energy. This emerging technology utilised by Lightning in the road car sector will be adopted by Formula One from 2008 when KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) become mandatory. The Lightning’s use of this technology enables the range of the car to be extended to over 250 miles/400km.
With concourse elegance, blistering performance (expected to be a 0-60 time of sub 4 seconds) and a ten minute charge time to sustain a 250 mile range, the ownership costs of the Lightning range are set to be significantly lower than traditional fossil fuelled vehicles, with exemption from road tax, congestion charging and an urban cycle energy cost estimated at 2.2p per mile, the Lightning could be as much as £10,000 per year cheaper to run than a Audi RS4 based on an average 20,000 miles of motoring.
There are 3 Lightning models planned, a Grand Tourer, a competent and quick car which maintains a depth of luxury and specification; the Lightning Sport is the GT’s lightweight, purposeful cousin, with the ability to achieve 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The third Lightning will be an extended range model, with the capability of reaching an estimated 250 miles on a single 10 minute charge.
The electric Lightning prototypes are now in development and pre-orders are being taken for 2008 delivery. Customised options for interior and exterior finishes and accessories will be available on a build to order basis.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTNING - TOP 10 FEATURES
Ultra smooth 100% electric power (700+bhp) immediately from zero rpm
10 minute charge time for over 250 miles of motoring (GTSE model)
Uncompromising performance with 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds (GTS model)
State of the art NanoSafe™ battery system and Hi-Pa Drive™ electric motor technology
Full regenerative braking so the battery receives charge every time you slow down, travel downhill or simply coast
Commanding presence of carbon fibre/Kevlar hand-crafted bodywork
Clean technology means no congestion charge or road tax and the ultimate A grade green rating
Phenomenal economy up to 10 x cheaper to run than petrol
Safer with no large fuel tank, thermally stable batteries and a bodywork structure similar to that used in F1 to protect the driver
Luxury spec. interior – incorporating sat nav, ipod interface and virtual engine sound
MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC LIGHTNING TECHNOLOGY
NanoSafe™ from Altairnano Inc.
Until now, battery technology has hindered electric vehicle innovation. In 2000, US company Altairnano Inc. established a research programme to create an ultra safe, high power battery using cutting-edge Nanotechnology. The result of their hard work is the NanoSafe™ battery.
SAFER - NanoSafe™ batteries use nano titanate materials instead of graphite which makes them far more thermally stable - there are no toxics or heavy metals used in NanoSafe™ batteries.
LONGER-LASTING - NanoSafe™ batteries have a life expectancy of 12+ years, versus the 3-5 year life of other batteries. NanoSafe™ can retain up to 85% charge capacity after 15,000 charges.
FASTER CHARGE - NanoSafe™ batteries can be recharged in approximately 10 minutes, rather than the hours required by many other rechargeable batteries.
MORE POWERFUL - With instantaneous power even at extreme temperatures, NanoSafe™ batteries deliver power per unit weight and unit volume several times that of conventional Lithium-Ion batteries.
Hi-Pa Drive™ from PML Flightlink Ltd
Hi-Pa Drive™ is a real revolution in motor technology and it’s a British innovation to boot! With its integrated motor and drive electronics in one single unit it produces an ultra high power density - up to 20 times more than conventional systems.
The compact, energy-efficient, electric wheel motors produce unrivalled levels of torque with internal heavy-duty tapered roller bearings that can withstand heavy radial loads for robust use. Yet they achieve the power to weight ratio important for the performance sports car capability of the Lightning
Other features include total weather proofing, total energy transfer and several levels of redundancy, so any single failure will not prevent the vehicle from operating safely.
Carbon fibre/Kevlar® composite technology in association with Amber Composites and Technical Resin Bonders
The Lightning bodywork will incorporate aluminium honeycomb crushable impact cells. This composite monocoque structure uses the same technology that is used in Formula 1 motor racing to protect the driver. This material will be used in the front, rear and sides of the car s well as around the battery area
Regenerative braking
Upon braking, the car's kinetic energy is converted to heat through friction - throwing away the energy that was previously used to accelerate. In city driving, about 30 percent of a typical car's engine output is lost to braking.
When an electric vehicle is decelerating, it does not create friction and useless heat in order to slow down. Instead it reverses its electric motor turning it into an electric generator, creating electricity which is fed back into the battery and stored for future use. In fact any time an electric vehicle decelerates it causes the system to use the vehicle's momentum to generate electricity.
The Lightning Car Company
London, United Kingdom
Three wheel hybrid car
===================================================
Originally posted at http://www.gizmag.com/go/6842/
February 17, 2007 Venture Vehicles has formally announced in Los Angeles, the development of a revolutionary (not to mention very cool), 3-wheel, tilting, plug-in Hybrid vehicle under the working name VentureOne. It’s a two-passenger Hybrid vehicle that will get 100 mpg, accelerate from 0-60 in 6 seconds, will have a top speed of over 100 mph, while being priced at under US$20,000. In addition to the low-emission, flex-fuel Hybrid model, a zero-emission all-electric version is also being developed that will have an all-electric range of nearly 200 miles. A key feature of the VentureOne is the patented Dynamic Vehicle Control tilting technology from Dutch-based Carver Engineering that allows the body of the vehicle to actually tilt when going through turns while all three wheels maintain firm contact with the road. Carver already sells petrol-engined versions of the machine, and the Phiaro 3-wheeler is also closely based on the Carver. But a plug-in hybrid with a 200 mile electric range and sportscar performance is very enticing. Production is not scheduled until late 2008 and Venture Vehicles will initially offer two propulsion packages for the VentureOne: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV model. The US$23,000 all-electric model will top the range while the E50 hybrid will sell for US$18,000 and the Q100 hybrid is expected to be priced under US$20,000.
“It’s a truly unique and innovative vehicle”, says Ian Bruce, one of the founding partners of Venture Vehicles. “With the same height and length as the MINI Cooper, the VentureOne will have both the performance of a sports car and the agility of a motorcycle... creating an incredibly exhilarating driving experience. The only way I can describe the sensation is comparing it to flying a jet fighter at two feet off the ground. Plus, this extraordinary performance combines the significant environmental benefits of a flex-fuel, plug-in Hybrid with a high level of affordability.” Two electric pancake motors will power the two rear wheels, with a small combustion engine providing on-road recharging. When garaged, it need only be plugged into a normal 110 outlet.
Safety is another crucial aspect of the VentureOne’s design. The vehicle will be surrounded by a steel “safety cell” providing overall protection, along with other important safety features typically found only in cars. Things like a driver’s airbag, front and side-impact protection, and rear bumper will be standard. A host of world-class partners in design, engineering and production are supporting the development of the VentureOne -- firms such as BMW DesignWorks, A123 Systems, Carver Engineering, Swift Engineering, Boshart Engineering and PML FlightLink. The VentureOne weighs approximately 1,200 pounds in prototype form, with an overall width of 48 inches, a length of 11' 8", and a 106 inch wheelbase. The engine is located in the rear of the vehicle at a low height. The passenger compartment and the front wheel tilt when cornering; however, the forces are aligned with the vertical axis of the driver’s body, resulting in the driver being pressed into the seat rather than pushed across it.
Although classified as a motorcycle according to the NHTSA (since it has three wheels), the VentureOne has an enclosed body. The reinforced roll-cage construction in combination with front-and-side-impact protection, and a highly efficient passenger restraint system, give the occupants a level of protection comparable to conventional cars — or statistically, 33 times the safety of a typical motorcycle.
Venture Vehicles plans to initially offer two propulsion packages for the VentureOne: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV model. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) will range from $18,000 for the E50, to $23,000 for the all-electric EV model – with a wide range of accessories available for each.
All three classes will incorporate the patented Dynamic Vehicle Control system, or DVC™, developed by Carver Engineering, which allows the vehicle to tilt up to 45° side-to-side at a rate of 85° per second. All three will also feature ventilated disc brakes and measure 3.5 meters in overall length.
The vehicles’ propulsion system is of a series hybrid design. The system consists of a small internal combustion engine connected to a 15 – 20 kW generator, two in-wheel 25 kW electric motors, a four gallon fuel tank, and a 3 kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The system is able to take energy normally lost as heat due to braking and return it to the battery, increasing overall system efficiency.
All three models will exceed 100mpg, with speeds of over 100 mph, and 0-60 in 6 seconds or less – a major breakthrough in the automotive industry.
====================================================================
Four wheel electric bicycle
=================================================
See http://www.rhoadescar.com/jumpqand.htm
Lightning Electric Car
=====================================
Originally posted at
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/07/2008-Lightning-GT-700hp-Electric-Sportscar-Update_07FAB152803685.html
the lightning takes the performance car market electric
The Lightning Car Company today announced its development of a range of 700 bhp Lightning electric cars, for the first time genuinely harnessing electric motive power and uniting it with class-leading sports car design, engineering and production.
The remarkable car range has been conceived to satisfy three essential criteria, namely to deliver a highly stylised, graceful sports car with cues hinting at the quintessential British treatment of Aston Martin or TVR while delivering an explosive, dynamic performance based on new breakthrough electric technologies that make the ownership experience quicker, easier and cleaner than traditionally fuelled cars.
The Lightning Car Company draws upon 25 years of automotive experience from design and engineering personnel whose industry experience includes McLaren, Lola, Ronart and Vanwall, as well as championing the adoption and use of new generation electric battery and motor technologies derived from application in the aerospace industry. The business owners jointly share a clear vision of an electric-powered future for high performance motoring.
The Lightning began life as a traditionally powered petrol vehicle in order to develop the car’s chassis dynamics. Battery and motor technology applications allow the handling characteristics of the car to be optimised. The chassis derives its inherent dynamic quality from its aluminium honeycomb and carbon composite monocoque structure, essentially a Formula One derived concept that blends low mass with high impact qualities.
Arthur Wolstenholme, Technical Director at Lightning explains, “Ten, or perhaps even five years ago, electric power was dismissed as a poor substitute for petrol, diesel or LPG. But the world has moved on significantly – from military and aerospace applications, electric motor and battery technologies have been developed that will enable the Lightning to demonstrate 700 plus bhp performance over a range that exceeds some of today’s petrol performance cars. What’s more, the Lightning is intended to compete with premium market sport cars, but our electric power should outstrip the response rates, torque characteristics and driveability of most exotic performance super cars. Electric power has truly arrived in the performance market.”
The Lightning is set to dismiss all the preconceptions about electric power. It will be there immediately, and in abundance, providing amazing responsiveness. And, with a chassis designed to be more than capable dynamically, will make a great point to point proposition to rival the established guard.
The Lightning will combine high performance electric motive power with an advanced regenerative energy system that recharges the car’s batteries under braking by capturing lost friction energy. This emerging technology utilised by Lightning in the road car sector will be adopted by Formula One from 2008 when KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) become mandatory. The Lightning’s use of this technology enables the range of the car to be extended to over 250 miles/400km.
With concourse elegance, blistering performance (expected to be a 0-60 time of sub 4 seconds) and a ten minute charge time to sustain a 250 mile range, the ownership costs of the Lightning range are set to be significantly lower than traditional fossil fuelled vehicles, with exemption from road tax, congestion charging and an urban cycle energy cost estimated at 2.2p per mile, the Lightning could be as much as £10,000 per year cheaper to run than a Audi RS4 based on an average 20,000 miles of motoring.
There are 3 Lightning models planned, a Grand Tourer, a competent and quick car which maintains a depth of luxury and specification; the Lightning Sport is the GT’s lightweight, purposeful cousin, with the ability to achieve 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The third Lightning will be an extended range model, with the capability of reaching an estimated 250 miles on a single 10 minute charge.
The electric Lightning prototypes are now in development and pre-orders are being taken for 2008 delivery. Customised options for interior and exterior finishes and accessories will be available on a build to order basis.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTNING - TOP 10 FEATURES
Ultra smooth 100% electric power (700+bhp) immediately from zero rpm
10 minute charge time for over 250 miles of motoring (GTSE model)
Uncompromising performance with 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds (GTS model)
State of the art NanoSafe™ battery system and Hi-Pa Drive™ electric motor technology
Full regenerative braking so the battery receives charge every time you slow down, travel downhill or simply coast
Commanding presence of carbon fibre/Kevlar hand-crafted bodywork
Clean technology means no congestion charge or road tax and the ultimate A grade green rating
Phenomenal economy up to 10 x cheaper to run than petrol
Safer with no large fuel tank, thermally stable batteries and a bodywork structure similar to that used in F1 to protect the driver
Luxury spec. interior – incorporating sat nav, ipod interface and virtual engine sound
MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC LIGHTNING TECHNOLOGY
NanoSafe™ from Altairnano Inc.
Until now, battery technology has hindered electric vehicle innovation. In 2000, US company Altairnano Inc. established a research programme to create an ultra safe, high power battery using cutting-edge Nanotechnology. The result of their hard work is the NanoSafe™ battery.
SAFER - NanoSafe™ batteries use nano titanate materials instead of graphite which makes them far more thermally stable - there are no toxics or heavy metals used in NanoSafe™ batteries.
LONGER-LASTING - NanoSafe™ batteries have a life expectancy of 12+ years, versus the 3-5 year life of other batteries. NanoSafe™ can retain up to 85% charge capacity after 15,000 charges.
FASTER CHARGE - NanoSafe™ batteries can be recharged in approximately 10 minutes, rather than the hours required by many other rechargeable batteries.
MORE POWERFUL - With instantaneous power even at extreme temperatures, NanoSafe™ batteries deliver power per unit weight and unit volume several times that of conventional Lithium-Ion batteries.
Hi-Pa Drive™ from PML Flightlink Ltd
Hi-Pa Drive™ is a real revolution in motor technology and it’s a British innovation to boot! With its integrated motor and drive electronics in one single unit it produces an ultra high power density - up to 20 times more than conventional systems.
The compact, energy-efficient, electric wheel motors produce unrivalled levels of torque with internal heavy-duty tapered roller bearings that can withstand heavy radial loads for robust use. Yet they achieve the power to weight ratio important for the performance sports car capability of the Lightning
Other features include total weather proofing, total energy transfer and several levels of redundancy, so any single failure will not prevent the vehicle from operating safely.
Carbon fibre/Kevlar® composite technology in association with Amber Composites and Technical Resin Bonders
The Lightning bodywork will incorporate aluminium honeycomb crushable impact cells. This composite monocoque structure uses the same technology that is used in Formula 1 motor racing to protect the driver. This material will be used in the front, rear and sides of the car s well as around the battery area
Regenerative braking
Upon braking, the car's kinetic energy is converted to heat through friction - throwing away the energy that was previously used to accelerate. In city driving, about 30 percent of a typical car's engine output is lost to braking.
When an electric vehicle is decelerating, it does not create friction and useless heat in order to slow down. Instead it reverses its electric motor turning it into an electric generator, creating electricity which is fed back into the battery and stored for future use. In fact any time an electric vehicle decelerates it causes the system to use the vehicle's momentum to generate electricity.
The Lightning Car Company
London, United Kingdom
Three wheel hybrid car
===================================================
Originally posted at http://www.gizmag.com/go/6842/
February 17, 2007 Venture Vehicles has formally announced in Los Angeles, the development of a revolutionary (not to mention very cool), 3-wheel, tilting, plug-in Hybrid vehicle under the working name VentureOne. It’s a two-passenger Hybrid vehicle that will get 100 mpg, accelerate from 0-60 in 6 seconds, will have a top speed of over 100 mph, while being priced at under US$20,000. In addition to the low-emission, flex-fuel Hybrid model, a zero-emission all-electric version is also being developed that will have an all-electric range of nearly 200 miles. A key feature of the VentureOne is the patented Dynamic Vehicle Control tilting technology from Dutch-based Carver Engineering that allows the body of the vehicle to actually tilt when going through turns while all three wheels maintain firm contact with the road. Carver already sells petrol-engined versions of the machine, and the Phiaro 3-wheeler is also closely based on the Carver. But a plug-in hybrid with a 200 mile electric range and sportscar performance is very enticing. Production is not scheduled until late 2008 and Venture Vehicles will initially offer two propulsion packages for the VentureOne: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV model. The US$23,000 all-electric model will top the range while the E50 hybrid will sell for US$18,000 and the Q100 hybrid is expected to be priced under US$20,000.
“It’s a truly unique and innovative vehicle”, says Ian Bruce, one of the founding partners of Venture Vehicles. “With the same height and length as the MINI Cooper, the VentureOne will have both the performance of a sports car and the agility of a motorcycle... creating an incredibly exhilarating driving experience. The only way I can describe the sensation is comparing it to flying a jet fighter at two feet off the ground. Plus, this extraordinary performance combines the significant environmental benefits of a flex-fuel, plug-in Hybrid with a high level of affordability.” Two electric pancake motors will power the two rear wheels, with a small combustion engine providing on-road recharging. When garaged, it need only be plugged into a normal 110 outlet.
Safety is another crucial aspect of the VentureOne’s design. The vehicle will be surrounded by a steel “safety cell” providing overall protection, along with other important safety features typically found only in cars. Things like a driver’s airbag, front and side-impact protection, and rear bumper will be standard. A host of world-class partners in design, engineering and production are supporting the development of the VentureOne -- firms such as BMW DesignWorks, A123 Systems, Carver Engineering, Swift Engineering, Boshart Engineering and PML FlightLink. The VentureOne weighs approximately 1,200 pounds in prototype form, with an overall width of 48 inches, a length of 11' 8", and a 106 inch wheelbase. The engine is located in the rear of the vehicle at a low height. The passenger compartment and the front wheel tilt when cornering; however, the forces are aligned with the vertical axis of the driver’s body, resulting in the driver being pressed into the seat rather than pushed across it.
Although classified as a motorcycle according to the NHTSA (since it has three wheels), the VentureOne has an enclosed body. The reinforced roll-cage construction in combination with front-and-side-impact protection, and a highly efficient passenger restraint system, give the occupants a level of protection comparable to conventional cars — or statistically, 33 times the safety of a typical motorcycle.
Venture Vehicles plans to initially offer two propulsion packages for the VentureOne: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV model. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) will range from $18,000 for the E50, to $23,000 for the all-electric EV model – with a wide range of accessories available for each.
All three classes will incorporate the patented Dynamic Vehicle Control system, or DVC™, developed by Carver Engineering, which allows the vehicle to tilt up to 45° side-to-side at a rate of 85° per second. All three will also feature ventilated disc brakes and measure 3.5 meters in overall length.
The vehicles’ propulsion system is of a series hybrid design. The system consists of a small internal combustion engine connected to a 15 – 20 kW generator, two in-wheel 25 kW electric motors, a four gallon fuel tank, and a 3 kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The system is able to take energy normally lost as heat due to braking and return it to the battery, increasing overall system efficiency.
All three models will exceed 100mpg, with speeds of over 100 mph, and 0-60 in 6 seconds or less – a major breakthrough in the automotive industry.
Mikulski supports CAFE standards
===========================================================================
Originally posted at:
http://mikulski.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=277468
Mikulski: Nation Needs Stricter Fuel Efficiency Standards
To watch a video of Senator Mikulski speaking on the floor, go to: http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/Videos/cafe.ram.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the floor of the Senate today, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) said the nation needs stricter fuel efficiency standards for automobiles in order to address the global warming crisis, America’s reliance on foreign oil and skyrocketing gas prices. The Senate is debating comprehensive energy legislation (H.R. 6), which includes language to require all cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds to have Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, and to increase the fuel efficiency by 4 percent every year after until 2030.
“I am a blue collar Senator. My heart and soul lies with blue collar America, so when automobile manufacturers told me they couldn’t meet the increased CAFE standards, I voted against the increase. But 20 years have gone by since the last increase in fuel efficiency standards,” said Senator Mikulski. “It’s time for our auto industry to make the changes they need to survive and that our planet needs to survive. We need a sensible energy plan that starts with conservation, that offers incentives for new renewable energy and that increases fuel efficiency standards.”
Senator Mikulski’s statement as delivered is below:
“Today, the Senate is trying to come up with an energy bill, and I know that Senators have been working very hard on all sides of the aisle to come up with consensus legislation that we can support. I really do support them. I want to particularly call to the attention of the Senate, the efforts of Senators Pryor, Levin and Stabenow to try to come up with a compromise on CAFE.
“But Mr. President, we are now where we are, and we are in a very important juncture in our history. Mr. President, you know me. I’m a blue collar Senator. My heart and soul lies with the blue collar American. I spent most of my life in a blue collar neighborhood. When Bethlehem Steel went on strike, my father gave those workers credit. When UAW [United Auto Workers] went on strike, my father and mother tried to smooth the way by helping them in the grocery store.
“My career and my public service is one of deep commitment to the working people. So when automobile manufacturers told me they couldn’t meet the increased CAFE standards, I listened, and I listened year after year. And now, I've listened for more than 20 years. When they told me they needed more time, I agreed. When they told me that an increase in CAFE standards was unattainable with existing technology, I voted against the increase to give more time so that we could come up with attainable and existing technology. But 20 years have gone by since the last increase in fuel efficiency standards. I was here when we voted for those CAFE standards. And now, after 20 years, I firmly do believe it is time for a change. Not any kind of change, Mr. President – a smart change, a feasible change, an affordable change. That’s why I support the energy bill that is before us. And I support the framework that’s been generally presented by Senator Feinstein of California.
“I know that American automobile manufacturers and their workers are true patriots. They want what is the best for our nation. They’ve faced challenges before and they have met them. And I believe that they will face these challenges now. I believe they know and want to build vehicles that are safer and more energy-efficient. The time has now come to increase fuel efficiency standards. We need a national effort, because they need to be able to help their own industry survive, and also because it is in the best interest of the nation.
“I believe that our world and our nation is facing a crisis. When you look at the increased price of gas at the pump, it’s hurting every single person. Talk to the family who it now costs $90 to fill up a minivan or a commuter, who has no other way to get to work than an automobile, who is now paying more to get to work than they are for their food bill. Like you, Mr. President, we know that small businesses need those vans to make those deliveries – whether they own a flower shop, whether they are a heating and air conditioning guy, whether it’s the plumber or the person delivering medicine to nursing homes. In my own state right now there are watermen, the fisherman out on the Chesapeake Bay, trying to harvest ever-diminishing crabs with ever-increasing fuel prices.
“Mr. President, it is time to conserve our energy resources and to deal with the crisis that we are facing. We know that energy and gasoline and petroleum products are in limited supply and are going up. We know that America’s dependence on foreign oil presents a very serious national security challenge. I’m on the Intelligence Committee and I know what these trans-national threats are. I know that energy independence is absolutely crucial to fighting the global war against terrorism.
...
“At the same time, we know there is a dangerous increase in the climate crisis that affects the life on our planet. It, too, is a national security issue because, make no mistake, the climate crisis will affect our food supply, will create a climate in which infectious disease will grow and natural disasters will increase. Now what can we do about it? How can we sign up to have a safer America, a safer planet? Well, I believe that the most sensible foundation of an energy plan must begin with conservation. We’ve got to make better use of what we’ve got in our homes, in our businesses, in our cars and in our airplanes. We also need incentives for new renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies that we use in our homes and our businesses. We need an increase in fuel efficiency standards for our vehicles on the road and our vehicles in the air.
“Now, I come back to fuel efficiency standards, known as CAFE. My heart and soul lies with the American worker. So I believe that anything that we do must preserve American jobs. But it also must achieve real savings in oil consumption. It also has to be realizable and achievable. That means a real technological ability to accomplish it. That means a reasonable lead time to adjust a company’s production. And I also believe we have to create incentives to enable companies to achieve those goals. I don’t believe in an industrial policy where we pick winners and losers – but if we’re going to pick a winning energy policy, we have to provide some type of help to the industry to help them get where we need for them to go.
...
“The time has come to raise the CAFE standards. But the time has come, also, to put our thinking caps on, to be an innovation society, and to come up with new ideas for efficiency, new technologies for energy efficiency, and new composite materials to make cars lighter, but keep them safe."...
===========================================================================
Originally posted at:
http://mikulski.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=277468
Mikulski: Nation Needs Stricter Fuel Efficiency Standards
To watch a video of Senator Mikulski speaking on the floor, go to: http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/Videos/cafe.ram.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the floor of the Senate today, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) said the nation needs stricter fuel efficiency standards for automobiles in order to address the global warming crisis, America’s reliance on foreign oil and skyrocketing gas prices. The Senate is debating comprehensive energy legislation (H.R. 6), which includes language to require all cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds to have Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, and to increase the fuel efficiency by 4 percent every year after until 2030.
“I am a blue collar Senator. My heart and soul lies with blue collar America, so when automobile manufacturers told me they couldn’t meet the increased CAFE standards, I voted against the increase. But 20 years have gone by since the last increase in fuel efficiency standards,” said Senator Mikulski. “It’s time for our auto industry to make the changes they need to survive and that our planet needs to survive. We need a sensible energy plan that starts with conservation, that offers incentives for new renewable energy and that increases fuel efficiency standards.”
Senator Mikulski’s statement as delivered is below:
“Today, the Senate is trying to come up with an energy bill, and I know that Senators have been working very hard on all sides of the aisle to come up with consensus legislation that we can support. I really do support them. I want to particularly call to the attention of the Senate, the efforts of Senators Pryor, Levin and Stabenow to try to come up with a compromise on CAFE.
“But Mr. President, we are now where we are, and we are in a very important juncture in our history. Mr. President, you know me. I’m a blue collar Senator. My heart and soul lies with the blue collar American. I spent most of my life in a blue collar neighborhood. When Bethlehem Steel went on strike, my father gave those workers credit. When UAW [United Auto Workers] went on strike, my father and mother tried to smooth the way by helping them in the grocery store.
“My career and my public service is one of deep commitment to the working people. So when automobile manufacturers told me they couldn’t meet the increased CAFE standards, I listened, and I listened year after year. And now, I've listened for more than 20 years. When they told me they needed more time, I agreed. When they told me that an increase in CAFE standards was unattainable with existing technology, I voted against the increase to give more time so that we could come up with attainable and existing technology. But 20 years have gone by since the last increase in fuel efficiency standards. I was here when we voted for those CAFE standards. And now, after 20 years, I firmly do believe it is time for a change. Not any kind of change, Mr. President – a smart change, a feasible change, an affordable change. That’s why I support the energy bill that is before us. And I support the framework that’s been generally presented by Senator Feinstein of California.
“I know that American automobile manufacturers and their workers are true patriots. They want what is the best for our nation. They’ve faced challenges before and they have met them. And I believe that they will face these challenges now. I believe they know and want to build vehicles that are safer and more energy-efficient. The time has now come to increase fuel efficiency standards. We need a national effort, because they need to be able to help their own industry survive, and also because it is in the best interest of the nation.
“I believe that our world and our nation is facing a crisis. When you look at the increased price of gas at the pump, it’s hurting every single person. Talk to the family who it now costs $90 to fill up a minivan or a commuter, who has no other way to get to work than an automobile, who is now paying more to get to work than they are for their food bill. Like you, Mr. President, we know that small businesses need those vans to make those deliveries – whether they own a flower shop, whether they are a heating and air conditioning guy, whether it’s the plumber or the person delivering medicine to nursing homes. In my own state right now there are watermen, the fisherman out on the Chesapeake Bay, trying to harvest ever-diminishing crabs with ever-increasing fuel prices.
“Mr. President, it is time to conserve our energy resources and to deal with the crisis that we are facing. We know that energy and gasoline and petroleum products are in limited supply and are going up. We know that America’s dependence on foreign oil presents a very serious national security challenge. I’m on the Intelligence Committee and I know what these trans-national threats are. I know that energy independence is absolutely crucial to fighting the global war against terrorism.
...
“At the same time, we know there is a dangerous increase in the climate crisis that affects the life on our planet. It, too, is a national security issue because, make no mistake, the climate crisis will affect our food supply, will create a climate in which infectious disease will grow and natural disasters will increase. Now what can we do about it? How can we sign up to have a safer America, a safer planet? Well, I believe that the most sensible foundation of an energy plan must begin with conservation. We’ve got to make better use of what we’ve got in our homes, in our businesses, in our cars and in our airplanes. We also need incentives for new renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies that we use in our homes and our businesses. We need an increase in fuel efficiency standards for our vehicles on the road and our vehicles in the air.
“Now, I come back to fuel efficiency standards, known as CAFE. My heart and soul lies with the American worker. So I believe that anything that we do must preserve American jobs. But it also must achieve real savings in oil consumption. It also has to be realizable and achievable. That means a real technological ability to accomplish it. That means a reasonable lead time to adjust a company’s production. And I also believe we have to create incentives to enable companies to achieve those goals. I don’t believe in an industrial policy where we pick winners and losers – but if we’re going to pick a winning energy policy, we have to provide some type of help to the industry to help them get where we need for them to go.
...
“The time has come to raise the CAFE standards. But the time has come, also, to put our thinking caps on, to be an innovation society, and to come up with new ideas for efficiency, new technologies for energy efficiency, and new composite materials to make cars lighter, but keep them safe."...
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