Green Energy News | June 29, 1997

June 29, 1997 – Vol.2 No.13

ENERGIES... week of June 29, 1997

TWO WHEEL DEAL. Former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca got serious with his plans to sell electric bikes and scooters when his new company, EV Global Motors, agreed to purchase up to 12.2% of Unique Mobility of Golden, Colorado. Unique Mobility is a world leader in compact, high performance electric motors and controllers for EVs.

Iacocca wants his cut of Unique for electric drive systems for light electric transportation systems (LETS), battery powered bicycles and scooters, which he plans to sell in North America, Europe and Asia. Iacocca, well known for his success with Chrysler’s turn-around in the 80’s, may be right in introducing two wheeled EVs first. After all, Honda’s success began with motorcycles.

FOUR WHEEL DEAL. Toyota will begin selling RAV-4 EVs to fleets starting in October. Popular as a mini-sport utility vehicle, the electric version comes with the same amenities available in a well-equipped gasoline version along with others specific to battery drive - its own on-board 220 volt conductive charging system (plug into a 220V 40A outlet), heated front seats, heated front and rear windows, and heat-pump type air conditioner with timer and pre-heat/pre-cool settings (heat or cool while plugged in to save battery power).

The RAV-4 EV tops out at 79 mph and a combined city highway range of 120 miles per charge on nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Suggested retail price is $42,000, or leased for $499 per month for 36 months. Up to $9000 in purchase assistance may also be available through state and Federal programs in the U.S.

(This editor has a yearning for a RAV-4 EV)

ALL-AROUND GOOD DEAL. The un-utility (sm), Green Mountain Energy Resources of Vermont, has filed with the California Public Utilities Commission to sell green energy in that state under power deregulation. The goal of the Green Mountain is to “unleash the demand for renewable energy from natural sources like the sun, wind and rivers.”

The un-utility will also offer EcoCredits (sm) to customers as rewards for using less energy and helping the environment. EcoCredits can be earned for something as simple as hosting a candlelight dinner or planting a tree. (One would suppose that buying a RAV-4 EV would also earn a few credits.)