MeanGene Rants 8
July 2002
Hybrid Power Systems, Hybrid Business Plan
Cool
Stuff
·
Radical
new Cooling Technology - Cool Chips signs up Boeing. http://www.coolchips.gi/press/pr_020514.shtml
·
Sanyo
Solar Ark - A museum for kids to learn about Solar energy. The batteries are
made of recalled batteries from other Sanyo products, to remind them to be more
careful and to avoid having to landfill them all. http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ap8n-tn/sun/photo/photorsa/sanyo/esanyo.html
·
Not
only does this behemoth show off its fantastically huge array of solar panels
generating 530,000 kWh/year and its high efficiency white LED technology, but
it also sports a non-chemical water purification system
·
Laser
powers paper plane http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_604533.html?menu=news.technology
·
Wind-up
your cell phone http://www.gadgetguru.com/010802-Motorola%20FreeCharge%20Charger.htm
Have you
been wondering if those new gas-electric Hybrid cars are sold at a loss by the
automakers? Wonder no more. Our roving reporter Matt Galla combs the anals of
ITE Express News, For Battery Technology and Market, who reports ...
"Toyota
Motor Corp. may supply gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles to other automakers as
part of its goal to produce 300,000 such eco-friendly cars a year by 2005,
according to Hiroyuki Watanabe, senior managing director. However, no decision
has been made and he declined to identify the other automakers. Toyota also
said its hybrid vehicles are now profitable whereas Honda says it still makes a
loss on its models. Hybrid technology is rapidly changing and consumers were
buying, not just for their eco-friendliness, but also because they are
attracted to other features such as the quietness and smooth acceleration of
the cars."
You may
have heard about proposed laws in California and at the federal level requiring
computer, TV, and other high-tech manufacturers to recycle the products when
they are discarded. Also reported in the ITE Express News, that day has dawned
for the auto industry as well.
"European
Union carmakers must pay for recycling of scrap vehicles (as of April 24, 2002)
having lost a battle against a radical new EU law on waste when the "end
of life vehicles" directive, took effect last weekend. The directive
requires carmakers to cover the cost of tough new rules on stripping toxic parts
from old vehicles and recycling most of the waste. Motorists must be able to
send old cars, free of charge, to a licensed recycler who must respect strict
environmental standards. The manufacturer has to pay most of any costs. The new
law forces scrap yards to remove batteries, tires and hazardous chemicals
before shredding the cars and ensure that 80% of the waste is recycled. By
2015, 85% must be recycled, with at least another 10% being burned for energy
recovery. The EU dumps some nine million tonnes of cars each year. Each of the
countries is struggling to meet the directive. The impact of the directive is
not clear but Volkswagen could face a charge of over a billion euros as a
result."
So let's
take these issues a step further. Let's assume a revolution in the auto
industry is in the works. It is starting with gas-eletric hybrids and will
arrive at fuel cells in 5-10 years. Let's also assume that the future will see
the manufacturers of all complex and high-tech gadgets be responsible for
dismantling and recycling them when they are no longer wanted. Then isn't it
time for a new way to sell this stuff too? Our roving reporter Matt Galla asks,
isn't it time for the automakers to stop selling cars, and start selling miles?
I was
thinking about the French chauffages (who as previously reported, sell warmth
to millions of French citoyens). What if auto companies supplied the energy for
their cars and simply charged patrons by the mile, thus patrons would pay for
"mileth" rather than gas? The rates would vary with the auto's
propulsion power, e.g. $0.05/mile for 100kW, $0.10 for 200kW. This would give
companies a clear incentive to make more fuel efficient vehicles regardless of
the power, i.e., either bigger profit margins at the same per mile rate or more
customers with lower per mile rate. As an added benefit, automobile companies
would be more aggressive in pursuing alternate sources of energy.
What a
crazy idea? Picture this, Ford signs a big contract with BP and Exxon so that
any Ford drivers can get Hydrogen refills for free with Ford picking up the
bill, of course at a special negotiated price below what non-Ford drivers have
to pay. Basic maintenance on your hydro car is freely offered at your dealer,
to ensure that you'll get more hydro per mile and keep those hydro bills for
Ford down. And finally, Ford will give you a big rebate on your next model Ford
if you turn your car over every few years while most of the parts can still be
refurbished and recycled into parts for new cars. This saves Ford money since
they would otherwise be responsible for the waste. The consumer gets a monthly
bill for his miles from Ford and Ford keeps a more steady revenue stream than
they have by only selling you a big ticket item once.
And the
revolution may not be that far off. At least the hydrogen half is well on its
way. Quickly following the gas/electric hybrids, hydrogen/electric hybrids are
now on the way from Ford and Toyota.
http://www.auto.com/industry/ford21_20020321.htm
http://www.arifleet.com/efnews/EF2-4.pdf
But Ford
and BMW are also exploring burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine.
Apparently there are still some hurdles with the fuel cells, like trying to
start one in the winter.
http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=337