Date:         Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:35:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      From digester.  What is it with the US.. NVC
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 Using Dennis' numbers, with diesel power there is a 25% reduction in the amount of fuel used..(+/- 20 or 40%, depending on the source of your numbers).  That seems pretty "green" to me.  If you go the same distance but use 1/3 less fuel, the amount of combustion gas byproducts should be significantly reduced.  You'd also have to consider that to get the same motive force, a much smaller diesel motor is sufficient.  Further reduction in $ per mile and total amount of polluting combustion by products.  Euros get this.  Canadians get it.  Malaysians get it..Chinese get it. Most everyone "get's it"..but 'wassup wit the US?"
 Electric powered cars?  That movie, "What killed the electric car" is worth a watch.  Some interesting information in that.  According to that movie, a reliable economical battery suitable to increase the range of electric cars has existed for some years, but the rights were bought up by business.  Business interested in not disturbing the 'status quo' .  Again, according to that movie, when GM produced electric cars, there was a big waiting list.  People loved them.  GM and Toyota would only lease the vehicles to the public.  The leaders at GM decided to squash the concept, and recalled all the leased cars, going to great lengths to keep the whole deal quiet, because people didn't want to give back the vehicles...They really liked em and they worked...GM literally 'squashed' the whole deal..in car crushers..while getting the CARB to switch horses (Flip-Flop?) over to Hydrogen Cell research. I get this info from only one source..that movie..Contradicting info comes from the other source...Big Oil/big Automotive..Reality is probably closer to the movie, IMHO.. 
  I understand the patent restrictions are about to expire on the improved battery technology that's been sitting there, and that the improved style batteries can be retro-fitted into existing hybrid vehicles..That'll be cool.. Plenty of room in my van for a small diesel motor and lots of batteries...100mpg?  
  Don Hanson