From Do-It-Yourself to Factory Built, the Road to Greener Vehicles

March 6, 2007 – Vol.11 No.50

FROM DO-IT-YOURSELF TO FACTORY BUILT, THE ROAD TO GREENER VEHICLES.

When Verizon wanted to showcase its new FiOS ultrahigh speed Internet and TV service, the telecommunications company decided it would use a fleet of fuel efficient, low emission hybrid vans to service its customers. Green is good nowadays: Customers might be impressed. The company might save money in the long run too. It could spearhead a movement to bring fuel-saving hybrid vans to the marketplace.

Since no manufacturer builds a gasoline or diesel hybrid electric van, the company took the bold step of having them custom built, or more specifically had stock production vans converted to hybrid drive. Verizon turned to one of the most experienced in the business for the DIY conversion: Enova Systems of Torrance, California.

The hybrid vans have been built and now they’re ready for service. Verizon will put its 13 hybrid electric vans in service in the Washington DC Metro area, as well as in Texas, to be used by technicians who will install and maintain the company's digital all-fiber-optic FiOS services: Internet access and TV which delivers download speeds of up to 50 megabits per second.

The gasoline electric hybrids are expected to offer fuel savings of up to 50 percent and greenhouse gas reductions of 70 -90 percent. It will be trial test for the vans.

Verizon, which operates one of the largest private motor vehicle fleets in the US says - probably correctly - that there’s a large market for fuel efficient hybrid vans, something the big vehicle makers should pursue.

Why don’t they, you might ask?

When Verizon took this bold step it also took on the risk involved. If the vehicles fail in service, or don’t perform as thought, Enova will likely help, but for the most Verizon is on its own: no warranties, no dealership to run to with complaints: Fix the vehicles with the best resources they have or junk them.

Verizon is a big, well, huge company. It can take the risk. The automakers have to be more cautious. With shops to work in, endless technicians, engineers and the most needed resource, cash, automakers can certainly (and often do) build any kind of one-off, concept vehicle they want, green or otherwise.

But putting a vehicle into production is another matter. Warranties have to be provided and honored with repairs. Technicians have to be trained and replacement parts made available. The companies have to offer parts and services while the vehicle is being manufactured and long after the model is taken out of production.

Introducing a new vehicle line is a big deal for manufacturers, not something they take lightly.

Because of the difficulties, new green vehicles will continue to be slow to arrive, they’ll come from many different sources, and help to build them will come from of a wide range of players.

--- With a grant of $75,000 from Mentor Graphics, researchers at Kettering University will develop computer models for hybrid drive systems that will allow manufacturers to perform a complete analysis of hybrid vehicle design. The goal is to help bring down the average $3500 premium for hybrid vehicles.

Mentor provides software and hardware solutions to automotive companies to help design products faster and more cost effectively.

--- One stop shopping for hybrid drive technologies should make it easier for manufacturers to develop hybrid cars and trucks.

German automotive parts supplier Continental Automotive Systems, in cooperation with its strategic partner ZF Friedrichshafen, are in the process of developing modular hybrid drive systems that will be adaptable to a wide range of vehicles and hybrid drive configurations. The companies say they will be able to provide hybrid drives with electric power ratings from 6 to 150 kilowatts.

--- The major vehicle manufacturers will continue to introduce new products. Volkswagen has introduced to European markets its diesel Bluemotion Polo which the company says will get 70 miles per gallon. It has lower carbon dioxide emissions than either Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Civic Hybrid.

To the world VW has also introduced its Jetta diesel wagon with clean diesel technology that should meet emission standards in all 50 US states. VW also says it is working on a small, purpose-built hybrid that will be available by 2009.

--- Low-volume vehicle producers are continuing to offer new models. ZAP is now offering a solar panel option for its XEBRA three-wheeled electric truck. It can drive short distances on all solar power, but a full battery recharge requires a grid connection or additional off-vehicle solar panels.

--- Very low volume vehicles makers, like those working out of their home garages, can also build themselves a green car.

For those with woodworking and mechanical skills, Jeffrey Automotive of the UK is offering plans for a DIY electric car. The vehicle is a two-seater, powered by a 72 volt DC motor with an anticipated top speed of 60 mph and a range of 50-60 miles on one charge from six, 12 volt deep cycle lead-acid batteries. Cost for the vehicle should be $5000 or less, plus your time.

The vehicle should cost about 2 cents per mile to operate. And, quite frankly, if you can build it, you can fix it yourself. Jeffery was a sports and racing car designer/builder.

Visit Verizon at http://www.verizon.com/ Enova Systems at http://www.enovasystems.com/ Mentor Graphics at http://www.mentor.com/ ( the hybrid drive computer modeling project at http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=542 ) Continental Automotive at http://www.contiautomotive.com/ Volkswagen at http://www.vw.com/ ZAP at http://www.zapworld.com/ and the Jeffrey Automotive electric vehicle plans at http://www.electric-cars-plans.com/