I think I want an R1e

[jg09]

Granted it looks tiny, but it's only a 2 seater, so it could be like the Smart Four2 and have tons of interior space. If I can fit my 6'3", 235 lb body into one, I might try to finance one when they come out. As many know here, I'm interested in electric vehicles. Being the somewhat-Subaru-Loyalist that I am, it's the perfect vehicle since I figure eventually, we'll all be driving electric vehicles when our oil supply runs out or when people finally figure out that the environment cannot handle our gas powered vehicles (I'm a bit of a hippie, sorry). So yeah, I really like the R1e from what I've concluded over the past month or so. Originally, I was thinking about buying a Jeep Commander, but the R1e, while not as fun, is probably the better option.

http://www.tranism.com/weblog/images/subaru_r1e_side.jpg

http://content.subaru.com/sub/misc/2009/nyautoshow/r1/

[Huffer]

1. Financing a car is stupid. Not even hippies do that.
2. Financing a car whose technology is new enough that replacement parts are super expensive is also a fantastic move. Wonder how much the body panels on the Prius cost?

3. Reducing your carbon footprint - drive a 1990 Honda CRX. It will get 43mpg without sweating. It's a two seater too.

While the R1e is a nice addition to a global fleet of cars, the styling is so bad - it looks like a shopping cart from every angle except the profile.
Imagine this thing in a 60mph wind, or in the snow.

[2.5GT]

Looks like the Toyota Yaris with bare differences :roll:

[jg09]

Reducing my carbon footprint is the major goal, but also the fact that it's a fully electric car is pretty cool. It's something new, it's technologically advanced, and looking at it's size and weight, it probably handles pretty well to boot. idk, though, that's just my conclusion right now.

[2.5GT]

It may look good reading all the positive info on it now, but once you get in a test drive one...you'll probably change your mind :lol:

[Huffer]

Reducing my carbon footprint is the major goal, but also the fact that it's a fully electric car is pretty cool. It's something new, it's technologically advanced, and looking at it's size and weight, it probably handles pretty well to boot. idk, though, that's just my conclusion right now.

Reduce the amount of household trash you throw out buy using reusable bags, filter your own water (instead of buying plastic water bottles).

Doing small things like that reduces your carbon footprint far more than buying a new car... plus you'll actually save money.

[decke48]

as fars as i know the R1e is only being tested as a NYC meter maid car. and might not every be sold in the usa. the r1 1.8 supercharged are fun little cars to whip around the narrow road city. though

[xXGTBspecXx]

id love to have one but i already reserved a smart car.... :-(

[TheAngryPidgeon]

If you are going to go electric, go with a Telsa imo. Flat out destroyed a Lotus Elise in the quarter.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/telsaroadstar-1.jpg

[Plays_with_Toys]

I'd rather have this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Sy7XnJBPE

This is really the immediate technological step in electric vehicles. The progression needs to go towards diesel generator + electric motors.

[xXGTBspecXx]

If you are going to go electric, go with a Telsa imo. Flat out destroyed a Lotus Elise in the quarter.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/telsaroadstar-1.jpg
its like $160000 dude... thats friggin expensive.. and it blew away the elise cause electric motors dont have a pwoer band they are either on or off.. all torque.. look up the electric go kart on youtube.. fast as hell, quiet, and goes thru tires.

[1996Battlewagon]

Reducing my carbon footprint is the major goal,

Then why don't you commute on that expensive ass bike you just bought. (I kid, I kid)

[jg09]

Reducing my carbon footprint is the major goal,

Then why don't you commute on that expensive ass bike you just bought. (I kid, I kid)

LMAO! Touche.

I think it was in Modified Mag that they had the dyno curve of an electric Evo. It's the first time I've ever seen a completely flat "curve" from a vehicle. Very strange to think about how the torque is the same, no matter what RPM. I was watching something on the Discovery channel about a company that makes electric motorcycles. Throttle response is so sudden, that they have to program a delay between the throttle tube and electric motor so that it handles more like a gas powered motorcycle.

[1-3-2-4]

as fars as i know the R1e is only being tested as a NYC meter maid car. and might not every be sold in the usa. the r1 1.8 supercharged are fun little cars to whip around the narrow road city. though


are they still doing this? I never seen one in NYC yet

[decke48]

i have no clue whats happening with it. if its started or what. havent heard anything about it form subaru since it first came out

[Plays_with_Toys]

Torque is the same no matter the RPM? Not so much... http://www.gizmology.net/motors.htm

Stall torque is where electric motors are most powerful. Perhaps the motors they were using had a much higher RPM capacity than they were using. I don't know. But, electric motors have instantaneous torque , and very little torque at high end.

EDIT: oh, and again. Diesel electric is the future. How about 230 miles to the gallon out of a $27,000 car:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/09/apt ... ic-hybrid/ (http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/09/aptera-diesel-electric-hybrid/)

[jg09]

Don't ask me, I'm not Peter Tarach. I don't edit Modified. That's just how I remember it.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

If you are going to go electric, go with a Telsa imo. Flat out destroyed a Lotus Elise in the quarter.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/telsaroadstar-1.jpg

haha this is what i was guna say u beat me to it

and there only like 70,000 i think 65,000 but noooo gas

and they go 0-60 in 4.0-4.2 with a flat tourqe curve

[xXGTBspecXx]

tesla IIRC but telsa sounds cooler..

[track8]

How far away is the places you go riding? I hope it's less than 25 miles or you can plug this in there for the trip home.

If you only intend to do a shortish commute, that seems ok if your employer will let you plug in at work for the trip home, all the better. I don't see a lot of small business owners offering to let a whole workforce plug in all day, they won't pay for half your fuel will they?

Is the smokestack at the nearby power plant that much lower in emissions than a Legacy? If it's coal, well...

I ride to work, weather permitting. Just in case you were wondering.

[jg09]

Wow, this reminds me a lot of a senior project paper I'm writing...


Senior Project Research Paper
12.04.08
Jon Geddes

Environmentally and economically, the United States of America cannot continue relying on petroleum-based fuel for its transportation needs. What the nation needs is more electric powered vehicles as well as human powered vehicles (such as bicycles). To do this, changes need to be made in infrastructure and society's view of transportation.
Every year, automobiles produce millions of tons of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The evidence of the destruction that's being caused is plain to see, yet we don't see much change. The government puts strict emission control laws into effect and this helps the environment to a certain degree, but it is by no means the fix-all cure. Take, for example, the diesel powered Ford F-350 pickup truck. Before the addition of mandatory, CARB emission control equipment, it would get twenty miles per gallon. After the emission equipment was added, it struggled to get thirteen. While emissions were cleaner, Four Wheeler Magazine ultimately summed it up when they said: "Unfortunately, this is the price you pay for clean diesels(Holman, 92)." The emission control equipment is better for the environment, but it increases our dependence on oil. What's needed is a compromise between the two.
The electric vehicle (EV) can be a solution here, but changes to infrastructure need to be made first. In 2007, the Bowen power plant produced 160,673 tons of SO2 emissions, the most destructive greenhouse gas(North American Power plant Air Emissions, 1). What's needed here is obviously a more environmentally friendly solution to electricity collection. That's where geothermal, solar, and wind powered electricity come in. They all use renewable resources from the earth and emit nothing harmful into the atmosphere.
Another problem that plagues EVs is a lack of range and charging stations. If Americans can reduce the amount of time they spend on the road and plan the trips they make more efficiently, the average range of an EV will be more than enough. Automobile transportation should not be viewed as the first choice for getting around.
Understandably, there are people who need more range, such as those with long commutes to work or those who go on road trips. It takes much longer to charge an EV than it does to refuel a regular vehicle. Fortunately, Shai Agassi, who will be talked about later, is trying to promote a plan to combat this, and a major auto manufacturer is on it with him(Hogan, 1).
Imagine a system that can collect electricity and use only steam that's already inside the earth. Not only does this system run on steam alone, it emits only vaporized water as a byproduct. While this may sound too good to be true, it is something that's already invented and being used today. This system is how geothermal power plants work(Different Types of Power Plants, 1). Steam is drawn up from underneath the earth's surface and used to spin a large turbine. As the turbine spins, it creates electricity. The steam either exits the plant and joins the water cycle again, or is injected directly back into the earth. Either way, the water is returned to the earth without any pollutants.
Other forms of electricity collection also rely on natural forces. Wind generators use the wind to turn blades attached to a turbine. Like the geothermal plant, the turbine spins and creates electricity. Wind generation technology is really still in its infancy, but advancements are being made to increase the efficiency of the system. Another method is the usage of solar energy. Special panels collect the sun's rays and convert them into electricity. This is a tried-and-true method that has been used successfully for years(Different Types of Power Plants, 1).
Billions of tons of pollution will not be released into the atmosphere if the amount of power plants and automobiles is eliminated. Peoples' health will improve, the effects of global climate change will be reduced greatly, and the U.S. will hardly be dependent on foreign oil. Electricity isn't the solution for air travel yet, but if the technology is being used widely in the automotive industry, it could easily spread to other industries.
The next issue that arises with EVs is a lack of places to charge them. What is needed is places all over the country that offer a place to plug in EVs. That's exactly what Shai Agassi had in mind when he started contacting business partners. Agassi would like to see charging stations in all parking lots in the U.S. The Nissan-Renault company is designing an inexpensive EV that will be mass produced and sold all over the world and sales in the U.S. depend on how successful Agassi's plan is(Hogan, 1). Chevrolet is also releasing the Volt, an EV that will be released within the next two years.
Another form of transportation is the world's first and original: human power. Walking or cycling from place to place is a dying practice. The bicycle is the oldest wheeled form of transportation. It's debated as to when it was invented. The original bicycles had wooden frames and wheels and were not pedal-powered. The rider pushed it along with their feet, much like a scooter. Next up came the front wheel drive, "high-wheelers" with their massive front wheels and small rear wheels. These had inherent issues. Not only were they hard to get going, but also hard to keep constant forward momentum and crashing from such tall heights was brutal. Changes had to be made.
The bicycle was then transformed into what it's known as today. Two equal diameter wheels, pedals, and a chain going to the back wheel became the norm. That's not to say it hasn't undergone much change since then, however. Today's bicycles are the result of billions of hours put into research and development. On the market, there are racing bikes that weigh less than a mid-sized dictionary, mountain bikes with more gears than it's rider has fingers and toes, and bmx bikes that are built to take the abuse of jumping and stunts.
Cycling from point 'A' to point 'B' is not a new concept. An example on the extreme end of the spectrum is Mike Sinyard, founder and CEO of the successful bicycle brand, Specialized. He rode to the 2008 Interbike convention in Las Vegas, Nevada with over a dozen employees. The 660 mile long trip started in Morgan Hill, California and went for five days(Ker, 67). Many who live in cities cycle to and from work. While they might be putting in 10 to 20 miles a day rather than 132, it shows that longer commutes of 25 to 35 miles are far from unheard of.
The beauty of human power is that it doesn't just solve the problem of emissions and oil usage. The extra exercise will help America deal with the problem it has with obesity. If someone can spare an extra forty-five minutes each morning, that twenty-mile commute to work could be done on a bicycle. Cycling increases blood supply to the body and gets the heart working harder. This cuts back the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Cycling also releases endorphins into the body. This promotes a good mood and relieves stress(Miller, 1).

Cycling can also reduce the likelihood of severe injury in falls or accidents, especially at older ages. People who cycle regularly have increased coordination and better reaction times compared to those who do not. This translates to less broken bones and major corrective surgeries for the elderly(Miller, 1).
Also, consider this: Buying a small car that averages 35 miles per gallon and driving it for one year will cost around $25,000. A quality commuting bike will cost $700 to $1,000 and will easily last for twenty years. Bicycles are also much easier to work on than cars and many people would be able to do their own work. This lowers the cost of maintenance to almost nothing. The cost of riding a bike isn't affected by unstable fuel prices, either. Bicycles just make sense for today's society.
It's obvious that electric vehicles and human power is America's future. Shai Agassi lays down the ultimatum when he says, "do you extend the time before it hits the ground? Or do you design car 2.0?... It's time to design car 2.0 and use the American workers we have"(Hogan, 1). America needs to build the next, bigger and better automobile. For the people who live in a climate that allows it, cycling is an even better option. Cycling improves health and has no real disadvantages. These are both solutions that America has the ability to put into effect now. This isn’t a huge fix that would take billions of dollars from the country’s budget that is already stretched too tight.


Works Cited

“Different Types of Power Plants.” Different Sources of Exlectricity. 2008. 04 Dec. 2008.

Holman, Sean P. “2008 Ford Super Duty f-350 Crew Cab FX4.” Four Wheeler July 2008: 92-93

Hogan, Cara. “Israel’s Electric Car Revolution is spreading.” The Jewish Advocate Dec 12, 2008. Vol 199 Iss 50; 1, 2

Ker, John. “John Ker’s Mixed Bag, a Potpourri of people and products.” Mountain Bike Action Jan 2009: 67

Miller, Jesse. 5 Benefits of Cycling, Ezine Articles. Dec. 16, 2008. http://ezinearticles.com/?5-benefits-of ... id=1511333 (http://ezinearticles.com/?5-benefits-of-cycling&id=1511333)

North American Power Plant Air Emissions. http://www.cec.org/pubs_docs/documents/ ... fm?id=1688 (http://www.cec.org/pubs_docs/documents/index.cfm?id=1688)



Yeah, it's long, but it's my view toward transportation, so I may as well get it out.

[Plays_with_Toys]

"spare an extra 45 minutes?" I think you'll find the mass majority of people will actually reduce their commute time using a bicycle due to not being stuck in traffic. A bicyclist can maintain 13-20mph easily on a ride (depending on health and bike type), and can simply ride alongside gridlocked traffic.

Interesting that you mention bicycling but don't mention velomobiles...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/wawvelomobilebike-1.jpg

Bicycles are pretty archaic at this point and for true people transportation (especially older people) recumbent 3 wheelers are a great option because of they're superior stability and weight distribution (and ability to carry items).

The biggest hurdle within America for transportation change is city layout. America has lots of real estate, which means that cities were built outwards and spaciously. We also spent a good deal of time establishing a work/business area that is separated from the living quarters. In europe and japan cities tend to span upwards and compact laterally. This makes distances traveled less, allowing for such transportation options like bicycling and walking (and even scooters) to be more feasible.

Quite simply, a completely EV vehicle in the US will not work. Not at our current battery technology. Ranges and speeds are too low with prices too high for people to consider them.

I've actually been debating constructing a diesel/electric velomobile type vehicle privately when I graduate.

[track8]

Want to hear something really ironic? During bicycle commuting season, I eat so much more food, and healthier (i.e. more expensive) that it's actually cheaper to drive. I do have a lot more energy overall, am in far better spirits and sleep better, but fossil fuel consumption is really an efficient way to get around. Healthy? Not so much.

Quote >I think you'll find the mass majority of people will actually reduce their commute time using a bicycle due to not being stuck in traffic. <Quote

To get to work, the average commuter travels approximately 15 miles one way. Two out of three commuters (68 percent) reported a one-way commute of 15 miles or less, 22 percent traveled between 16 and 30 miles and 11 percent traveled more than 30 miles. Source: http://www.bts.gov/publications/omnista ... ntire.html (http://www.bts.gov/publications/omnistats/volume_03_issue_04/html/entire.html)

Actually most people live too far from work to see any time savings with riding. My 7 mile (each way) commute takes 15-ish minutes in the car and 35-40 on the bike. If people lived closer to work, it'd be more doable, oddly enough, if the average commute were less, fuel consumption would drop, all else being equal. Unfortunately that would create higher population density, more gridlock... But then more folks could ride bikes. A paradox? You bet.

Unfortunately humans are mostly lazy.

One more thing, let's say all fossil fuel powered commuter vehicles are replaced by some form of battery/electric contraption. Now you have all those caustic batteries and ozone emissions from all those electric motors and generators. Remember the theory about an equal but opposite reaction?

[jg09]

"spare an extra 45 minutes?" I think you'll find the mass majority of people will actually reduce their commute time using a bicycle due to not being stuck in traffic. A bicyclist can maintain 13-20mph easily on a ride (depending on health and bike type), and can simply ride alongside gridlocked traffic...

Writing this paper, I'm mostly looking at locally, where most peoples' commute is going from Everson to Bellingham. Only way to get there is open road (with plenty of shoulder, mind you) and 50 mph speed limits. In some ways, it is less efficient, as a petroleum based motor will get you there in 25 minutes, but I see an epic fail coming. The U.S. is going to realize at the very last possible second that they're destroying the earth and cannot continue whatsoever. At that point, every little bit will help to at least ease the rate of destruction.

Ah yes, it takes disaster to learn a lesson, eh?

[Huffer]

"spare an extra 45 minutes?" I think you'll find the mass majority of people will actually reduce their commute time using a bicycle due to not being stuck in traffic. A bicyclist can maintain 13-20mph easily on a ride (depending on health and bike type), and can simply ride alongside gridlocked traffic.

You have to factor in showering time and "getting ready for work". I'm lucky, I can walk out the door with a backpack on and jump on the bike, shower at work. Some people can't, for various reasons.

Unless you live/work in an urban area, cycling to work is tough to do. Where I live is suburban, and fortunately my place of employment is in a village-y township type business area - so also relatively suburban. Most people nowadays live 20-30mins drivetime from their work places.

Where I lived in New Zealand, I was literally a 20min walk home (uphill). If I took my time walking to work I could take 30mins.

The fully electric car for Americans won't become a reality unless it offers RANGE and style...along with a low level of maintenance.
Eventually this will happen, just like the Prius happened to pull the hybrids in. Only took 4 years for the Hybrid SUVs to arrive.

[anothernord]

Once silicon-nanowire battery technology ramps up to mass production, these electric cars will be more than viable, and probably less hideous. (seriously, every concept i've seen save the tesla looks awful)

It's a just a matter of time until they can scale up the manufacturing process. Then add Nanosolar's new printable solar panels and you've got yourself a mean electric car.