Green Energy News | May 19, 1997

May 19, 1997 – Vol.2 No.7

ENERGIES... week of May 19, 1997

ONE IN FOUR WOULD BUY OR LEASE AN EV, according to a new study from J.D. Powers and Associates, but concern for the environment isn’t enough for them to sign on the dotted line for an electric car. Green cars would have to be as good as or better than today’s gas powered cars for them to make the switch.

The study, J.D. Powers and Associates Electric Vehicles: The Consumer Prospective(SM), showed that consumers would consider battery (or other zero emission) powered cars if the cars met the same requirements as typical fossil fuel burning cars offered today. In order of preference, people look for dependability / trouble- free operation, quality of workmanship, safety in case of an accident, low purchase price, availability of parts and service, reputation of manufacturer, fuel economy, passenger comfort, appearance and styling, and advanced engineering, when choosing an automobile to buy or lease.

This study should come as no surprise to EV manufacturers. Old habits die hard and consumers are generally skeptical of new technologies. There’s likely to be long, bumpy and pot-holed road ahead for the EV manufacturers.

BUT EVEN BIG OIL sees a future in clean car technologies. ARCO, EXXON and Delphi Automotive Systems have created a research alliance to develop on-board gasoline fuel processing technology and hardware for Delphi’s Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Fuel cells, of course, combine hydrogen and oxygen to make electricity and water. While oxygen can be taken from air, the needed hydrogen must be derived elsewhere or extracted on board from another fuel such as natural gas or gasoline. The oil companies’ interest in using gasoline as an agent for hydrogen is clear - protecting their interests in oil drilling, production, distribution and sales.

A GOOD BREAKFAST and a healthy lunch provide all the energy you need to commute by bicycle to work. May is National Bike Month and May 20 was Bike-to-Work Day, both sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.

BikeE (tm) from BikeE Corporation is a new bicycle designed for comfort and safety while commuting. An upright posture and back friendly seat are features.