Comments on: Progress or Breakthroughs at California Symposium for Zero Emission Vehicles?

By: jwishart

jwishart — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:47:58 +0000

I would just like to comment on the glib dismissal of hydrogen technology to long-term status even though Mr. Kramer did not even deign to attend the hydrogen day at the conference he is covering. This displays an obvious bias that calls his other conclusions into question.

I agree that EVs and PHEVs are more likely to have an impact in the very near future. However, there is a certain irony in Mr. Kramer pointing out the auto industry's ignorance of the state-of-the-art when it comes to batteries while he willfully ignores the advances in hydrogen technology and makes conclusions that are perhaps not fully informed.

By: dkennington

dkennington — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:47:30 +0000

Bill the number after the – refers to the all electric range, 20, 30 or 60miles, not really accurate in the Prius convertions as the ICE is usually providing some help. More like the Renalt system where the ICE doesn’t run until the battery is dead.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:46:53 +0000

What are PHEV-20s and PHEV-30s through PHEV-60s? I missed the definition somewhere.
Great coverage! Thanks for the update. This is exciting!

By: priusmaniac

priusmaniac — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:46:15 +0000

Any topic talking about using a direct piston generator as on-board electricity source for a PHEV. Was someone from Pempek present?

By: joshL1

joshL1 — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:45:45 +0000

Thanks for this coverage. It gives a very good concise overview. I hope that whatever decisions come before the ARB board in the next year or so that they are able to see clearly, from what was presented to them, that there are proven battery technologies which are ready and increasingly available to help California accomplish its clean air goals.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:44:28 +0000

Why can't this trigger a rebate program to offset the additional costs for the PHEV vs standard ICE vehicle to encourage a more rapid deployment of the PHEV concept.

This rebate program could be repaid over a 10 year payback thru an annual registration surcharge to maintain the programs growth. This liability would follow the vehicle not the owner, so any future buyer would assume future repayments as well as system's benefits.

The loss of current fuel tax revenues could be offset by using a sealed wattmeter (similar to a homes) that could be read at any gas station (manually or electronically) and paid at that station to be forwarded to the Board of Equalization along with other sales tax revenues collected at the station. This would not even usually require a special trip, being done whenever the vehicle's regular fuel is purchased.