Chapter 429: Science Friday! Entry 01- EV Auto Conversion
Lately, I feel there hasn't been enough architecture on here so I'm going to bundle all my Science/Tech links on a new feature based on NPR's Science Friday w/Ira Flatow. So here is the first ever Science Friday with Sam! As you can see from the picture above, Sam loves him some science and will be your meta-host for my links each and every Friday.
This week's science spotlight will be on the conversion of gasoline powered cars into electric powered vehicles commonly known as EV's. While we wait for the Chevy Volt and other euromobiles coming in the next couple of years, we're going to take a gander at current pushes to go green. There are arguments that address what is more economical or environmental, but the idea of plugging in the car like you would your phone or any appliance is quite attractive. In addition, you don't smell like a french fry like you do with biofuel conversions.
Photo credit: George Lange/Popular Mechanics
That said, it's also important to look at what this conversion means for your current vehicle or the vehicle you choose to convert. If you auto guzzles gas like a frat boy during homecoming week, it will do the same for electricity. EV is not the silver bullet of sustainability. It operates on the same premise as biofuels and hybrids which is to say that a smaller car with an engine that is appropriate will be able to operate more efficiently. When you are utilizing sustainable fuels this becomes a viable option for green transportation.
Anyhow, here are some interesting facts and links that you can use to find out more about conversion.
CNN- Fueling America: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/14/electric.cars/index.html
Build Your Own Electric Car out of a Gas-Guzzler: http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/build-your-own.html
TreeHugger- Convert Your Car Into An Electric Vehicle: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/converting_your.php
Electric Auto Association- Why EV?: http://eaaev.org/Flyers/index.html#WhyEV
The EV Photo Album: http://www.evalbum.com/
Home Power Magazine: http://www.homepower.com/files/featured/UsedElectricVehicles.pdf