Comments on: First Public Charging Station for Electric Cars

By: scottw

scottw — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:47:36 +0000

The electricarport network is being established as we speak. There will be internet cafes, restaurants, Starbucks, and lots more at each station.

By: Bobby Hawk

Bobby Hawk — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:01:16 +0000

It takes several HOURS for an EV to charge. This won’t be the same as filling you tank in a few minutes. You will actually have to be down for at least 2 to 4 hours, while you car recharges. Further the batteries and controllers don’t last for ever and at last count they are extremely expensive since they are constructed from silver, gold and copper. The cost of a replacement battery in these EV vehicles is well hidden but last reports place the cost in the $5000 to $10000 dollar range. Controllers wear as well and are very expensive to replace to to the cost of carbon pile rheostats.

Where are all the old batteries going to go once used up? The answer is ” the local land fill” Imagine what we are creating by placing even 40 million of these vehicles on the road, over the next few years. Further how do humans react to high voltage magnetism and EMR (electro magnetic radiation). Its known that folks that live near high voltage power lines are a higher risk for contracting specific types of cancer. Its not known what will happen when several million humans are placed into electric vehicles which will produce high EMRs. Especially when those vehicles are in close proximity (dense traffic), such as rush hour traffic.

Its not my plan to end electric cars all together. There is little study which supports safe operation of these types of vehicles for both the environment as well as human safety. There are other alternative fuels which are much more adaptive than electricity and more environmental and human friendly. Hydrogen is one of the fuel sources which should be considered prior to converting to electricity, which is far to questionable.

By: Peggy Mosley

Peggy Mosley — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:48:49 +0000

I’m interested in putting a charging station in the parking lot of The Groveland Hotel at Yosemite National Park, in Groveland, CA., for our guests use (and others for a fee).

How do I find out about the process, permits, etc., etc.?

Peggy Mosley

By: Michael Mecseri

Michael Mecseri — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:43:57 +0000

Why not have cars that can have their battery packs traded out for fresh ones instead of waiting for a recharge?

By: Ralph Perez

Ralph Perez — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:40:56 +0000

These need to be coupled with some of the robotic technology already in use throughout industry. There is no need for having to wait for a charge. Multiple lithium batteries should be ready for swapping out as cars pull in.
Yes… the robotics will also be powered by the same source…
This is a great first step. Sorry BP.

By: YAN

YAN — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:41:48 +0000

I think a 30 mins full charge for 300miles range is a must, otherwise all those e-cars and charge stations are just a joke.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 31 May 2010 10:43:57 +0000

Electric cars of Li-ion Motors are very reliable and very efficient in fuel consumption. Electric cars have three times higher efficiency point than a car that runs on gas. And have fewer parts than a gas powered car. Li-ion Motors electric cars on have no catalytic converter transmission, fuel tank, spark plugs, engine, values, starter, tailpipe, muffler, distributor or Clutch, so they need no tuning, no oil change and filter change. As Li-ion Motors Electric car is fuel free there are no chances of catching fire or blowing up on crash. A fuel powered car is very complicated to handle than a Li-ion Motors electric car because has less parts than the other one. Moreover, a similar sized Li-ion Motors Electric vehicle Watch here http://li-ionmotors.com/node/119 electric vehicles video if u want to know full detail regarding Li-ion Motors Electric vehicles

By: Dave Head

Dave Head — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:24:25 +0000

Inductive charging could require some heavy components to work properly, thus decreasing efficiency. Direct plug-in is the way to go.

I’m also curious about what they’re charging for the electricity. A kilowatt hour of electricity delivered to homes here is about 8 cents. Of course there’s going to be infrastructure for this public charger to be paid for, but if they’re dramatically overcharging for this electricity, it’ll end up making more sense to just start the Chevy Volt’s internal combustion engine and continue the trip, without charging anywhere but at home.

By: Billy Gregg

Billy Gregg — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:21:34 +0000

I think inductive charging of cars is safer than conventional plug-in charging.ECOtality corp. is the world’s leader in building and installing charging stations for electric cars;unfortunately,they’re all direct plug-in types(which I think are dangerous).Someone should start-up a new company that manufactures and installs induction charging stations for residential and commercial use.This new company could be a penny stock type company called”SafeCharge” or something.I’d buy some shares in it!!!

By: Perry Peck

Perry Peck — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:32:21 +0000

This is the future! Someday the gas station will be no more and solar powered electric gas stations will be the norm for SURE!!! Its the future that we are in!

By: Jim Curtis

Jim Curtis — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:42:16 +0000

Yes, I have seen the movie “Who killed the electric car” by Chris Payne. Here is his web site papercutfilms.com – He is now in the process of making a new movie about what is the next step in electric cars. Who killed the electric car was a very eye opening movie, it showed just how badly GM wanted to stop this great concept. They crushed all 800 cars here in Arizona near Phoenix in 1996. NOW THEY ARE CRYING “WE NEED MONEY” They should be punished for what they did not rewarded !!! Scott, Yes GM is getting their karma, they had a chance to take back the car market over 13 years ago, but no, they let Japan walk all over us again with the Prius and other cars.

Everyone should rent this movie to see how not only GM but Ford, the state of California, the Federal government and several others were determined to destroy any and all interest in electric cars because they would not make any money on all of the other stuff required to keep a dirty gas engine going in the service department of their dealerships. This movie shows how even the commercials for the electric cars were meant to intimidate rather than sell them. If they used the same tactic to advertise a Hummer, none would have been sold.

By: Jos Conil

Jos Conil — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:37:28 +0000

A small step, but a great acheivement for sustainability! I hope that the charging time can be reduced in future and that the interest of authorities and the public are sustained.

By: Jason Robert Merrington

Jason Robert Merrington — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:58:18 +0000

It really is about time! This is great news! Rick Mercer did a show in Canada about a year ago highlighting a Canadian who actually patented and produced a great, fast, slick-looking, quiet electric car, but the Canadian gov’t apparently made it “illegal” to sell it on the Canadian market. Needless to say I’m disgusted at that, and hope it changes soon! Electric shouldn’t be thought of as ‘alternative’ energy, it should be thought of as the new STANDARD energy…

By: Greggory Lawson

Greggory Lawson — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:33:05 +0000

Scott Collins:
Dave Rowlison:
You should check out a company called BetterPlace. The charging station they opened is more token than anything else. The end goal is to have them right by the parking meters, so you can charge while you are parked. BetterPlace also uses swap technology with if far more practical than charging stations. Check out what they have rolled out in Israel. BetterPlace also only used renewable electricity.

Why did GM kill the electric car…maybe now they are feeling their Karma…great movie…

By: Scott Collins

Scott Collins — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:05:19 +0000

Wait an hour? No worry… when Eestor gets there product out, we’ll supposedly see 5 min charging time… can you say: bye-bye expensive Lithium??

By: Amber Medina Emerzian

Amber Medina Emerzian — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:38:18 +0000

Maui will be receiving their first fully electric powered vehicles (Phoenix Automotive) and will be very interesting to see what charging stations will be utilized.

By: James Matthew Mittal

James Matthew Mittal — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:37:54 +0000

It is about time for the return of the electric car. GM should of never of killed the electric car I think it is over 5 years ago. Has anyone ever rented the movie documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car”

By: GENE FRAN

GENE FRAN — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:08:10 +0000

What is the cost of a charge?

By: Dave Rowlison

Dave Rowlison — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:39:46 +0000

Scott – all very good points, that require addressing if they aren’t already. Also, what do you do for an hour while the charge is underway – go roam around a local mall / hopefully time it with a business meeting if you happen to be in the area that has a charge station?

What are the chances I wonder the charging timeframe will be able to be more rapid in the near future? (even 15 min. would be acceptable) – I suspect this *may* be a crucial selling point, unless the charging stations are situated at one’s place of work (ie. all large office complexes/companies).

Dave

By: Jerry Doshier

Jerry Doshier — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:27:02 +0000

Electric cars are great but we need to use renewable energy to charge them.