Date:         Mon, 5 May 2008 23:41:10 -0400
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Vanagons as electric vehicles and other stuff....
Comments: To: "Michael A. Radtke" <wa7zpu@CISAZ.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <481E81AB.4020604@cisaz.com> (Michael A. Radtke's message of
              "Sun\, 4 May 2008 20\:40\:27 -0700")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

"Michael A. Radtke" <wa7zpu@CISAZ.COM> writes:

> The EV1, the Toyota RAV4 and the other cars that rose to the
> California challenge did quite well even on lead acid batteries.
> However, the car companies chose to fight California's mandates in
> court and won.  Just as soon as they were victorious, they recalled
> their cars and crushed them.

I don't recall the sources, but the way I remember this those vehicles
were "experimental" and did not have to meet DOT safety standards.
They were crushed because they were not safe.

> There have been some Vanagon conversions but I can't speak to how
> successful they were.

With current technology, the Vanagon is too heavy a chassis for a pure
electric.  Might do OK as a hybrid.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL