Contents: Presidents Message | Board Meeting Minutes | EV Purchase Incentives Available | Editors Corner |
Letter To The Editor | EV News Bits | Upcoming EVents |
Presidents Message by Mark Bahlke (mbahlke@mcd.intel.com)
Hello all,
Well, a good time was had by all! The only way I can think of to describe our latest picnic. What a turnout! Thanks especially to all who brought EVs to show off, some brought more than one, and one even came from the Bay Area! Bruce Parmenter, EVangelist, EV list editor, and all around nice guy, made the long haul up from the San Jose area, and spent ALL day in the hot sun, until I used my presidential authority to order him into the shade to eat, drink, and rest (boy was that fun!). Ed Brannon, one of our dedicated board members, and dedicated EV converters brought a couple of nice vehicles, plus an electric go-cart! That looked loke alot of fun too. Everyone who was there did a FANTASTIC job of making SEVA look really good out in public, and I am really grateful to all of you.
I'm not sure, but one of the best parts about this year's picnic was the TV news showing up to film us, and put us on TV. Channel 3 did a great story on the 5:00 news (whew! do I look like that? maybe it's time for a haircut - eeek!), then later, channel 31 did a nice (but quick) feature on their 10:00 news. I heard later that there was mention on the radio as well.
Hey, gang, we made a splash, we done good, and the public saw it. This I think is what SEVA is all about. Well, enough gushing, on to more important things. Except to say that plans are already underway for next year. Look out! One of the good things that came out of the picnic is that the members there seemed to decide that we should keep our cute little club vehicle, and fix'er up. I was hoping this would be the case. Since then, I have discovered through access to the internet that this little car has history! I am still making contact with the people who have all the information, but apparently there were many of these made (well at least several), early to mid 60s.
Called the "Henney Kilowatt", or "Henneywatt" for short, these little cars seemed to be popular in the eastern and midwestern states. I will have more hard data in hand in time for our next meeting so we will have more of an idea of what it is that we actually have. So now we need to get together and put a little elbow grease into it to get it on the road.
Once again, it was really great to see everyone, and to spend a good day picnicing in the park. I didn't mean to pass over the people who brought food, that was also a big improvement over last year. Please let us know if there is something more you would like to see for next year, and help us make sure that we do it.
Coming up, we have events to do in August, at the Folsom street fair, and in September, the Food Drive and Car show, sponsored by the United British Car Club, here in Sacramento. They have graciously invited us, and all we have to do is show up, for a good time. We'll keep you posted on these things, please make room for them in your busy schedules.
Now that we know that there are more EVs in Sacramento than ever before, I will be contacting you again to get updates for the EV project board. Please check your miles driven, range, and other important data so I can update everything. I think at the rate we are going, we will soon be driving a quarter million miles a year in Sacramento. Let's go for it!
See you soon. Mark
Board Meeting Minutes by Bill Dean (billdean@calweb.com)
The SEVA Board met Monday, July 22, at 7:30 pm to discuss club business. The meeting began with a review of the picnic. It was a success, with 20 cars and 2 lawn mowers on display. The club needed more tables than last year. Mark Bahlke told the TV media to show up at noon, but they showed up at 10:30, and, according to Steve Smith, focused on a little ugly car. The media left before the clean air presentations. Tim Loree said that the food came out well, but could have more structure, such as starting coals early.
Tim said that the signs were excellent, but violated park rules about piercing sod. Mark said that SEVA needs a larger banner, that Bob Dean has a large banner that he wants to give to SEVA. The next picnic will be Sunday, July 13, 1997. The club needs better coordination with the media and Bruce Parmenter. Someone needs to contact the media two weeks ahead of time, to take full advantage of the support they provide. The Board decided that media should report on the EVs at the picnic, after the fact, rather than advertise the picnic before the fact. Mark suggested getting a permit, so that the EVs can park on pavement inside McKinley Park. Tim suggested having the picnic at Discovery Park, if the Supervisors grant free parking.
Tim said that each car on static display should have SEVA brochures and also a fact sheet about the car. Mark took photos of cars with owners. Mark suggested that each owner mark up a map of Sacramento showing destinations reached by their EV. Ruth MacDougall made a motion that Tim find out about plastic display containers for brochures. The motion was passed unanimously. Ruth then moved that SEVA pay someone to produce an informational brochure. The motion died for lack of a second. The Board decided to hold a special barbecue/meeting on Sunday, August 11, to work together to produce the brochure.
The Board, after much discussion, decided that the picnic is for SEVA members to socialize, with EVs on static display. Advanced media publicity is more appropriate for ride and drive events. Tim suggested yet another separate event, an awards luncheon to honor groups in the community that help make EVs happen.
Mark reported that Dan Field wants to donate an EV to a non-profit organization. Mark urged the Board to accept the car. The Board discussed the possiblity of auctioning the car to raise money for SEVA and to get one more EV on the road. All the SEVA officers are now members of the national EAA. In fact, all eight of the Board members present belong to the national EAA. National elections are coming up. The EAA recognizes that SEVA is the largest EAA chapter, so it wants a SEVA board member to run for office. Tim agreed to run. Tony Cygan is now serving on the EAA Board.
Arthur Cartwright suggested that the Board select the site of next month's Board meeting and publish it in the newsletter. The Board agreed to do so, to cut down on any confusion.
Mark said that the Folsom Street Fair takes place each Wednesday evening in August. SEVA will try to have a presence on Wednesday, August 21.
Mark brought up the Christmas parade, Saturday, November 30. SEVA needs to commit some good-looking EVs. Mark would like to see the Casa Robles High School EV go-carts in the parade, too. Art suggested that the September Board meeting focus on planning the Christmas parade.
Mark reported that Sunday, September 15 is the date of the food drive in Rancho Cordova, sponsored by the United British Sports Car Club. SEVA is invited to display cars. Ruth reported that two weeks remain in the display at the Towe Museum of little cars, one which is electric.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.
EV Purchase Incentives Available
$5,000 Purchase Incentive for EVs in Sacramento County
The first 36 qualified individuals or agencies purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle in Sacramento County, as well as the first 12 in Yolo/Solano, will each receive $5,000 of financial assistance under a "Clean Cities Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program", expected to start up this fall. The Program is being administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC).
Major auto manufacturers have indicated that the price of an EV is likely to be in the $30,000 range. Government is offering to "buy down" the purchase price by $5,000 to encourage consumers and fleet operators to buy or lease a nonpolluting electric vehicle. A federal income tax credit of 10% of the sales price of an EV, up to $4,000, is also available. As manufacturers produce EVs in greater volumes, the price is expected to drop. These incentive programs will be phased out as EVs become more price competitive with conventional gas-burning vehicles.
Brisk sales of electric vehicles in the Sacramento region will be a signal to businesses in the field of advanced transportation that Sacramento welcomes their products and their presence in the community. Promoting the use of electric vehicles is part of a broad-based effort to bolster the local economy, attract new transportation businesses to the region in general and McClellan Air Force Base in particular, and to improve air pollution and the quality of life in Sacramento.
To be eligible for the $5,000 costshare, the electric vehicle chosen by the consumer or fleet manager must be a light duty vehicle (weighing under 8500 lbs.), be produced by an original equipment manufacturer, and be certified as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board. Additionally, the vehicle must meet EV America performance goals and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Anyone interested in applying for the $5,000 incentive should contact Tom Swenson of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, at (916) 386-7001.
Editors Corner by Tony Cygan (tonyc@144volts.com)
There are few big EV activities going on overseas this fall - EVS-13 in Tokyo, Japan; SunRace 96 in Autrailia, and the Monte
Carlo EV Rallye in Monaco. The EVS-13 program is a big symposium for those in the EV business; World Solar Challenge
1996 is the latest installment of the biggest & longest Solar Car race, which crosses the continent of Austrailia; and the
Monaco EV Rallye, which is in it’s second year, brings together the various European EV organization, suppliers, and
manufacturers to show off their wares. Monaco also has 3 days of rallying on their famous Gran Prix circuit and they expect
50 EVs to particpate. Europe seems to be waay ahead of the United States in getting EVs going into production and
Monaco is a way of showing off. I’m thinking of going to Monaco in October to check it out. I haven’t been to Europe in 20
years. It should be fun !
Letter to the Editor
The July issue of the Sacramento EAA Newsletter shows a comparison whereby it appears that San Diego (San Diego Gas & Electric) is one of the more expensive places in the State to charge an EV... weighing in at $96.00 for 750 KwH of electricity. Here is a rejoinder to that article.
I live in San Diego and drive my EV over 1000 miles a month. For years I have taken advantage of SDG&E's standard "time of use" meter, charging my car at $0.07 per KwH, or about $53.00 for that amount of electricity...This meter was/is available to all residential electric customers. But now I am able to avail myself of the same TOU meter with a special EV rate, the cost of the same charging done between midnaight and 6AM is only about $30.00 per month!
This regular "Time of Use" meter saved me over $500 last year - not due primarily to EV charging, but rather the careful timing of other loads such as air conditioning and jacuuzi.The EV TOU Meter can only save me more with its $0.04 midnight to 6am rate, avaialble for the whole house ( or not, if your EV makes it's own meter a justifiable expense).
By the way, - for those who do not drive EV Blazers!, my Honda conversion will travel about 3000 miles on 750 KwH of electricity at freeway speeds ( 20 miles being about 5 KwH ) -- about three months EV Charging usage for me. That means the $30 per month ( based on then Blazer's consumption ) is actually for me only $10.00 to drive 1000 miles. Further conversion details are at http://www.electriciti.com/~jeremy. Smiles and cheers, Jeremy
EV News Bits
From Calstarts Website (www.calstart.com) and other sources.
08/01/96 - U.S. Oil Imports in May Second-Highest Ever
U.S.A. — Petroleum imports for May 1996 were the second-highest ever – despite inventories simultaneously falling nearly 9 percent from one year ago, reports 21st Century Fuels. According to the American Petroleum Institute, 9.979 million barrels per day of petroleum and refined products – 56.5 percent of U.S. demand – were imported into the country. The total is second only to February 1977, when 9.997 million barrels per day were imported. The increased imports were reportedly from two factors: a 2.4 percent rise in demand since one year ago and a substantial drop in Alaskan oil production. The API says overall U.S. crude oil production is at its lowest point since 1954.
07/31/96 - Electric Canal Ferries Slated for Bangkok Test
Bangkok, Thailand — Three battery-powered electric ferries will be used to replace noisy, diesel-powered ferries now plying Bangkok’s canals as part of a test program to cut noise and air pollution, reports the Bangkok Post. The fiberglass, 40-passenger ferries developed by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre will ferry students for free on two of the city’s canal waterways, known as “klongs.” The advisory chairman of Bangkok’s traffic and transportation committee said – if the electric ferries prove viable – the city will require klong ferry operators to convert to electric motors. The tests begin next month.
07/26/96 - EV Charger-Maker EPTI Reborn as ACT
Doraville, Georgia — Three former executives of battery charger-company Electronic Power Technology, Inc. (EPTI) have obtained the assets of the firm – which closed in December – and intend to resurrect it. To be known as Advanced Charger Technology, Inc. (ACT), the Doraville, Georgia company says it will build on EPTI’s fast-charging technology and patents with new technology that has been developed in the last year. ACT plans to focus on a few, clearly defined markets that range from 10-watt chargers for small electronics such as cellular phones and two-way radios to 300-kilowatt chargers for electric vehicles (EVs). The company is developing chargers for lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries that not only rapidly recharge the batteries, but extend their service lives as well. Former EPTI president Karen A. Robinson will serve as ACT’s president.
07/23/96 - Portland Gearing Up For EVs, Offers Free Charging
Portland, Oregon — Free electric vehicle (EV) charging is now available to shoppers in the Portland, Ore. downtown area. Two EV charging stations at the city’s Smart Park parking garages are available to EV owners who desire to “charge it” while they shop, dine or attend events downtown. The stations are part of the city’s “Clean Cities” efforts to encourage the use of EVs because of their clean-air benefits. A representative of E-CAR, a local EV company, drove his own EV – a converted Ford Mustang – to the event and applauded the city’s efforts to gear up for EVs. The Oregon Office of Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) also provided support to install the charging stations as part of the DOE’s national program to encourage the availability and use of alternative vehicle fuels for government and private fleets.
07/24/96 - Toyota to Sell 'RAV4L-EV's in Japan in Sept. 1996
Tokyo — Toyota Motor Corp. will begin selling an electric-powered version of its RAV4 sport-utility vehicle in Japan beginning Sept. 1, reports the Associated Press. The company said it intends to sell only about 100 of the electric vehicles (EVs) annually, primarily to utility company and government fleets. The EV will be powered by nickel-metal hydride batteries made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Japan’s top electronics manufacturer. The “RAV4L-EV” will initially be priced in Japan at approximately $46,000 (4.95 billion yen). Toyota has previously said it would market the electric RAV4 in California beginning in late 1997. The EV reportedly has a top speed of 78 miles per hour and a range of 135 miles.
08/02/96 - Matsushita Electric to Make EV Motors
Tokyo — Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. has announced it will begin manufacturing motors for electric vehicles (EVs) early next year, reports Kyodo News International. The company – best known for its consumer electronics products – said it will be supplying the 80-kilowatt motors to several Japanese automakers for use in their EVs. Spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute, the motors will generate power equivalent to 1,500-cc automobile engines, Matsushita says. Initial production will be 100 units per month, starting in April.
Upcomming EVents
Local SEVA Activities o General Meeting, Saturday, August 10th at 10am. o Board Meeting, Monday, August 12th at 7pm. o General Meeting, Saturday, September 14th at 10am. o Board Meeting, Monday, September 16th at 7pm o General Meeting, Saturday, October 12th at 10am. o Board Meeting, Monday, October 14th at 7pm. o General Meeting, Saturday, November 9th at 10am. o Board Meeting, Monday, November 11th at 7pm. Bay Area/Modesto Activities o East Bay EAA Yearly Rally, Saturday, August 10th. National/International EV Activities o Sun Sprint of the Rockies, August 5th to August 13th. o Beijing International EV Exhibition, September 20 to 26. o EVS-13, Tokyo, Japan, Oct 11-13th. o 2nd Annual Monte Carlo EV Ralley in Monaco; Oct 17-20th.
Return to SEVA's Homepage