Electric automobiles
In a column we published recently technology futurist, Jim Pinto, made the point: 'Green is going mainstream'. In summary, companies are learning to make their profit by helping the environment rather than destroying it. Capital is shifting towards making green (the colour of money) through going green.
Automakers are finally getting serious about hybrids, expanding offerings and retooling gas-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs as hybrids. This is a point of interest in a South African context. Everyone has heard of General Motors and Toyota, both of whom plan to launch their plug-in hybrids by 2010.
But how many have heard of a company called Optimal Energy?
Founded in 2005, the Cape Town-based organisation describes its vision as: 'Leading the revolution in sustainable mobility through imagineering optimal electric vehicle product solutions for a better tomorrow'. The company envisages establishing and leading the electric vehicle industry in South Africa as a springboard to global expansion.
The vehicle (if you will pardon the pun) for doing this is the Joule, which made its debut at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year.
Joule’s chassis has been designed to accommodate two large-cell lithium ion battery packs designed to be replenished through the onboard charger plugged into a normal 220 V domestic outlet. In single battery configuration the vehicle will have a driving range of approximately 200 km; the second battery can be added to extend this to 400 km.
In the 200 km configuration recharging is estimated to take approximately seven hours.
Electricity supplier, Eskom, is reported to have confirmed that the South African grid has vast amounts of excess energy available between 11 pm and 6 am, which will be the recommended recharging time.
Since electric cars require only about 20% of the energy of that of their conventional counterparts, this means that the total emissions are much less even if Eskom’s coal dominated electricity is used. Optimal Energy says the global trend towards cleaner electricity generation will cause these emissions to continually shrink in the future.
An additional innovation is the roof-mounted solar panels that help keep the batteries charged when the car is parked in the sun.
Gauteng is currently being evaluated for Joule’s first assembly plant, with plans to bring the car to market here, as well as in Cape Town and Durban, towards the end of 2010.
This happens to coincide with the timescales of GM and Toyota, which will make it interesting to see how this local company will compete for market share with the automobile industry’s heavyweights.
Howlers
American voters go to the polls as I write, to decide on their next president. With world markets crashing around us, bleak economic forecasts and political turmoil in our own country, I thought I should look for some humour; it is after all the holiday season. I hope you enjoy these gems from some of America’s current and former politicians.
“I think war is a dangerous place.” – George W. Bush.
“The Internet is a great way to get on the net.” – Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate.
“It is not pollution that is hurting the environment; it is the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.” – Dan Quayle.
“Facts are stupid things.” – Ronald Reagan.
“I have opinions of my own – strong opinions – but I do not always agree with them.” – George Bush.
Christmas and holiday greetings
To all our readers and advertisers, thank you for your support this year – happy holidays and a safe return if you are travelling. I would also like to mention the production team who have worked so hard during 2008 to improve the look and feel of the magazine. My thanks to you all and I look forward to our achievements in 2009.
To all our Christian readers, I wish you a blessed Christmas.
Steven Meyer, editor:
SA Instrumentation & Control
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