From: Kimberly Taylor [mailto:ktay...@afvi.org] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:39 AM To: Kimberly Taylor Subject: Alternative Fuel Views 2-2-09
Good Morning: News this morning is electric. An editorial in the Baltimore Sun<http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.viewpoint02feb02,0,3059843.story> kicks it off as Michael Hiltzik offers an incisive analysis of California vs. Detroit in the saga over the Golden state regulating tailpipe emissions. While for decades Detroit has resisted regulation citing an inevitable economic Armageddon if change is mandated, the tortoise and the hare victory in developing fuel efficient vehicles was handed to Toyota and Honda. Advanced technology and energy efficiency are now a fait accomplis, though, and that's according to testimony before Congress by the big three in December. Bill Ford, for one, hasn't been taking a wait and see attitude. The Detroit News<http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090202/AUTO01/902020354> tells an encouraging story of how the automaker is plowing ahead with a pure battery electric vehicle in partnership with Magna International. They anticipate a production vehicle in 2010 with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to follow in 2011. Is there a market for such a thing? Just turn your head westward and right there in Sonoma County, pending a $3 million possible grant award in the spring, there's a plan afoot for a major charging infrastructure project and the purchase of 1,000 electric vehicles. If all goes as planned, implementation begins this summer, according to the North Bay Business Journal<http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090202/BUSINESSJOURNAL/902010253?Title=County_hopes_for_1_000_electric_cars>. But can it be done, you may ask? IEEE<http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=IEEE+plug+in+hybrids&emb=0&aq=f>, the leading association for the global group tasked with moving technology forward, has a simple, clear video (under 10 minutes) that makes "The Case for Plug-In Cars." With most major auto manufacturers planning for a PHEV future, how long will it take for the infrastructure to be in place? Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) smart charging is something a lot of utilities have been looking at. Last night, GE took to the air waves during the Super Bowl to tout their green grid girding. With brain engaged, the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz stars as a believer in intelligent technology. Thanks to YouTube<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1XqLPa9BoA>, prepare to wile away your Monday hours with a niggling song stuck in your head. Until Tomorrow, Kimberly Kimberly Taylor Director of Education and Business Programs Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Phone: 702-203-4982 www.afvi.org AF&V National Conference + Expo April 19-22, 2009, Orlando, Florida http://www.afv2009.com/ _______________________________________________ Florida EAA mailing list listserv@floridaeaa.org http://www.floridaeaa.org
