XPost: can.politics, ont.politics, tor.general   
   XPost: bc.politics   
   From: sd.green@shaw.ca   
      
   "Karen Gordon"  wrote in message   
   news:egm96m$kv4$1@theodyn.ncf.ca...   
   >> "penny"  wrote in message   
   >>   
   >>> Who killed the electric car --  a crime of mammoth proportions with   
   >>> consequences for our environment.   
   >>>   
   >>> Electric cars produce zero emissions and therefore don't contribute to   
   >>> the global warming disaster.   They were a  key invention in dealing   
   >>> with  global warming.  Yet they have disappeared from the market   
   >>> place.   
   >   
   > "pcourterelle" (someone@ms.com) writes:   
   >> ABarlow and Chom have patiently explained why the electric car is neither   
   >> an   
   >> environmentally friendly option for reducing green-house gases as you   
   >> claim   
   >   
   > (K): You're kidding. right?  Usenet posters have become the definitive   
   > experts on the electric car and its viability?  You must be a mighty   
   > confused little man if you're taking your direction from posters rather   
   > than   
   > the experts.   
   > ________________________   
   >   
   > 22 September 2006   
   >   
   >   
   > California targets motor pollution   
   >   
   > A legal challenge brought by the State of California against several major   
   > car manufacturers over climate change could become a landmark case against   
   > corporate polluters, say green groups. The case has been brought by state   
   > authorities on behalf of the People of California against General Motors,   
   > Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan.   
   >   
   > The case is seeking monetary compensation for climate change damage caused   
   > by emissions. Attorney General Bill Lockyer, filing the lawsuit, claims   
   > that the uncurbed emissions from the so-called Big Six car manufacturers   
   > have contributed significantly to Californias environmental health,   
   > costing the state millions in existing and future responses to the   
   > problem.   
   >   
   > Global warming is causing significant harm to Californias environment,   
   > economy, agriculture and public health. The impacts are already costing   
   > millions of dollars and the price tag is increasing, said Lockyer. Vehicle   
   > emissions are the single most rapidly growing source of the carbon   
   > emissions contributing to global warming, yet the federal government and   
   > automakers have refused to act. It is time to hold these companies   
   > responsible for their contribution to this crisis.   
   >   
   > Environmental campaign groups warmly welcomed the development, claiming   
   > that it could represent a watershed case against polluting companies.   
   > ______________________________   
   >   
   > Electric cars are one of the solutions to the problems of petrol-fuelled   
   > cars. Although they are only at a relatively embryonic stage in terms of   
   > market penetration, electric cars represent the most environmentally   
   > friendly vehicle fuel, as they have absolutely no emissions.   
   >   
   > There are currently two types of electric car (and van) available; battery   
   > cell and hybrid. Battery cell cars are powered by simply plugging into any   
   > electrical mains outlet. This only costs 1p per mile, which obviously   
   > compares favourably to both petrol and diesel. Battery cell cars are   
   > currently the most commercially popular type of electric car at the   
   > moment.   
   >   
   > Hybrid vehicles are a combination of petrol and electric. The electric   
   > element of the car is used as an assist to the petrol engine, and runs the   
   > vehicle to speeds up to 6mph, after which the petrol takes over.   
   > This particular type of electric car is useful in city environments, where   
   > a lot of time is spent at lower speeds. It also eliminates emissions from   
   > slow moving traffic jams when the engine is kept running.   
   >   
   > Most electric cars on the world market are lease cars, with a small   
   > percentage being privately owned. Therefore the next step is widespread   
   > commercial backing.   
   >   
   > Several major manufacturers are developing the platform, most notably   
   > Peugeot and Citroen in Europe, and Honda and Toyota in Japan. Of course   
   > one   
   > of the major factors for commercial success is retail price, and at the   
   > moment this is a significant stumbling block.   
   > _______________________________   
   >   
   > Toyota Prius   
   >   
   > The iconic hybrid was launched nine years ago, and spearheaded the   
   > green-car-as-fashion-accessory trend, especially in Hollywood. Half a   
   > million sales later, the £17,780 Prius remains at the forefront of hybrid   
   > design, providing the technology for the more expensive Lexus.   
   >   
   > Ford Focus FFV   
   >   
   > When Ford launched the Focus FFV (flexible fuel vehicle) last year it was   
   > the first production biofuel car on sale in the UK. This year it   
   > introduced a C-Max FFV, announcing that these cars would now be sold at   
   > the same price (from £14,045 or $37,500 Cdn) as their petrol equivalents.   
   >   
   > In Sweden, 40% of all Fords sold are FFV. In the UK, because only a   
   > handful   
   > of service stations in East Anglia and Somerset currently sell bioethanol,   
   > Ford only expects to sell a few hundred FFV vehicles and is urging the   
   > government to improve tax breaks.   
   >   
   > Vauxhall Dualfuel   
   >   
   > Autogas or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is a liquid under pressure made from   
   > butane and propane. Globally there are more than 10 million vehicles that   
   > run on LPG, although few manufacturers offer it as a factory-fitted   
   > option. Vauxhall has offered official aftermarket conversions since 1996   
   > and most of its models, including the Corsa, Astra and Zafira, can be made   
   > to run on LPG, and at the flick of a button, on petrol as well. Converting   
   > the engine and adding an LPG tank - usually where the spare tyre goes -   
   > costs around £2,000. However this is offset by tax breaks, London   
   > congestion charge exemption and a saving of around 50% in fuel costs over   
   > petrol. Vauxhall claims that its LPG cars provide a 75% improvement in   
   > regulated exhaust emissions. Its current advantage over bioethanol is that   
   > it is the most available of alternative fuels, with more than 1,300 LPG   
   > filling stations around the country.   
   >   
   > Saab 9-5 BioPower   
   >   
   > Launched in the UK earlier this year, this biofuel range offers two engine   
   > sizes and a choice of saloon or estate models. Starting from £21,051 or   
   > $44,380 Cdn) they are £600 more expensive than petrol 9-5 models, but   
   > because bioethanol has a higher octane rating, Saab's engine provides 20%   
   > more bhp than its petrol equivalent - so as well as being a cleaner car,   
   > it   
   > is also much faster.   
   >   
   > Lexus RX400h   
   >   
   > This £35,485 ($74,812 Cdn) luxury Chelsea tractor is as green as an SUV   
   > gets. It is a hybrid, using two electric motors to power the car up to   
   > 30mph, at which point the petrol engine kicks in for extra acceleration   
   > and   
   > higher cruising speeds providing a maximum of 272bhp.   
   >   
   > With zero carbon dioxide emissions at urban speeds, it benefits from   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)