PV Gap

Karen Said:

Solution for electricity out in the middle of no where?

We Answered:

I think what you really want is a small generator, and propane for heat. The generator does not need to run 24/7. When you're not in the little cabin, turn it off. Just don't leave things that will spoil in the refrigerator. I'm a fan of solar, but this doesn't sound like the ideal application for it.

Brittany Said:

Future space propulsion and power.?

We Answered:

Conspicuous advances in technology have a way of arriving unexpectedly, frequently while the mainstream scientist community is still pronouncing them impossible.. At least they did during the 20th Century, so maybe it can still be expected, those unexpected advances.

I'm referring to such events as manned heavier than air flight, radar, jet aircraft, transistors, desk top computers, cell phones, Sputnik, and countless other, less obvious corner-of-the-eye advances..

You might be right in your prognosticating, but you might as easily be surprised by something that comes out of nowhere when it's least expected.

James Said:

Creative Ideas Anyone?

We Answered:

Here's an idea I've been sitting on for a long time.

The invention is a headstone for a grave that has a solar panel in it that charges a battery and/or powers a small mp3 device that has a recording of the person buried underneath it.

The idea is that when family or friends come to visit the grave, a motion detector triggers the recorder to play any one of dozens of recordings made by the decedent when he/she was still alive. They would play in random order. "The wisdom of the ages through the voice of the aged" might be a nice slogan.

And the background music for the commercial would have to be "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd.
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Tracey Said:

At what technological stage will an EV have enough range for you?

We Answered:

Most people have it in there heads that 300 miles is the bare minimum. They just can't imagine how a car could possibly be anything more then a toy if it won't get you from Washington DC to Greensboro NC in a single shot.

But in reality 100 miles will do the job. It's rare that any person goes more then 100 miles in a single day.

And like you say, for those times that you do, you can mount up your detachable generator, like a trailer. It could even be a powered trailer so the car doesn't mind pulling it. I could have automatic steering to keep it in line with the car, so you don't even have to know how to pull a trailer.

Or you could have a second car for long trips. Commuting and road trips are completely different animals anyway. The ideal commuting car is small, light, nimble and maneuverable, while the ideal road trip car is big, roomy, heavy and comfortable.

Arnold Said:

An often mentioned EV concern is range. What solution would you offer or prefer?

We Answered:

A 100 Mile Per Charge (MPC) electric car will satisfy 90% of Americans. Since most American families have more than 1 car the primary car can be electric and the weekend excursion vehicle can be gas. Tesla's Model S will have different sized battery packs with ranges as high as 300 MPC.

My driving habits show I could go an entire weekend without plugging in my 100 MPC car. So in my case I can ditch the gas burner entirely and drive electric 363 days of the year. For the once a year trip to my dad's house 325 miles away I can go rent a gas burner like a Prius.

EV range is most often thought about incorrectly. Every night you plug your car in just like your cell phone. You leave the garage every day with a full tank of "fuel" aka a fresh 100 miles. Since a gas car doesn't self fill at night and going to the gas station every day is a pain we want a 300 mile per tank range.

You can drive yourself crazy by doing "what if" scenarios. What do you do most of the time in your car anyway? Do you drive back and forth to work, go to grandma's house 300 miles away, take the wife to the hospital in the middle of the night?

I will be the first to admit there are people that can't use an electric car. I have specific vehicle needs and many car makers sell gas cars that fail in one aspect or another, size, cargo capacity, etc. Even today's crop of EV's fall short in many respects. So far I've only seen one that will work but it is only being field tested in Europe at this time with no plans for US sales. In my case 100 MPC range is not a problem but the cargo abilities of the Volt leave much to be desired.

I know of a woman that the commute to one of her work places is 100 miles each way. So only makes the trip 1 to 3 times a week. Currently only the Tesla roadster can make it but there is no room for cargo, she carries several file boxes of papers and books.

In the end I guess the only thing I would need i an EV is 100 MPC plus quick charging.