tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82652501694391560142024-03-12T19:28:32.850-04:00Affordable Electric Car NOWAn Electric Car should no longer be a pipe dream. In 2008, Crude Oil reached a record high in excess of $150(US) a barrel. While Hybrid cars reduce dependence on nasty, expensive, polluting hydrocarbons, only by going fully electric can we free ourselves from being a slave to big oil! While expensive or short-range options exist, it's time we had a practical, affordable model for the consumer! We we demand no less, NOW!TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-45443043119892278192020-02-27T17:54:00.000-05:002020-02-27T17:55:46.289-05:00We're still here, 11 Years!<p>And at this point, we may move over to the new <a href="https://www.timehorse.com/">TimeHorse</a> platform but for now, here's what we've been saying over there!</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.timehorse.com/2020/02/27/11-years-of-electric-cars/">11 Years of Electric Cars</a></h3>
<p>New Tesla Hardware and a birthday picture to boot! Hope to see you at what will mostly be our new home and spend another 11 years with us!</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-68066198751649990252019-08-05T15:44:00.000-04:002019-08-05T15:44:32.946-04:00Planning an EV Roadtrip?My friend Will Hudson just went on a road trip in his electric car and used this clever way to display his electricity usage. Great EV mileage, Will!
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<a href="https://www.chooseenergy.com/blog/electric-vehicle-roadtrips/" target="_blank">https://www.chooseenergy.com/blog/electric-vehicle-roadtrips/</a>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-30406902744775182382018-10-26T22:09:00.002-04:002018-10-26T22:09:47.782-04:00National Harbor Supercharger UPDATE<p>Visited the National Harbor Superchargers today with <span style="color:red">#CO2Fre</span> and was surprised to see not any signage indicating the imminent closure. Spoke to one fellow Tesla owner as he returned to his vehicle and he had no idea about it. I took these pictures this afternoon which demonstrate there's absolutely nothing to indicate the garage will be closing this Wednesday!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8zMGEYk3ss/W9PHDFJrdLI/AAAAAAABWig/xKvkmiyHcCMcKULagKsNPLEHcYee8o8RQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8zMGEYk3ss/W9PHDFJrdLI/AAAAAAABWig/xKvkmiyHcCMcKULagKsNPLEHcYee8o8RQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" width="400" height="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FH31IRn4ouQ/W9PHDMmhjVI/AAAAAAABWig/JY-_5LkT43420u9lHkr0rfw6sFQCxvf_wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FH31IRn4ouQ/W9PHDMmhjVI/AAAAAAABWig/JY-_5LkT43420u9lHkr0rfw6sFQCxvf_wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" width="400" height="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w07D-bZKf0g/W9PHDNw2juI/AAAAAAABWig/JrrmFN-a6Pc8KIh7nTXAc9n9ok03xCGBACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w07D-bZKf0g/W9PHDNw2juI/AAAAAAABWig/JrrmFN-a6Pc8KIh7nTXAc9n9ok03xCGBACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" width="400" height="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UroRwRVtrTg/W9PHDM1EEpI/AAAAAAABWig/piKLfGtBQSgrAKkfYuGFwuvhiO9nqCNMgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UroRwRVtrTg/W9PHDM1EEpI/AAAAAAABWig/piKLfGtBQSgrAKkfYuGFwuvhiO9nqCNMgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" width="400" height="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GpK2E5bE_qA/W9PHDHwG-uI/AAAAAAABWig/kU28Fz8Xe1UmmHOqgh8eKE2-7hwbDJUVQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GpK2E5bE_qA/W9PHDHwG-uI/AAAAAAABWig/kU28Fz8Xe1UmmHOqgh8eKE2-7hwbDJUVQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-55323978220639938622018-10-25T18:54:00.000-04:002018-10-25T18:54:13.958-04:00National Harbor Tesla Supercharges to Close in One Week<p>On Thursday, 1 November, the <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/location/130968">National Harbor SuperChargers</a> will be closed and removed as the property has been sold to a hotel company that wants to tear up the lot. My understanding is that the equipment will be returned to Tesla and the property owners for <a href="https://www.nationalharbor.com/">National Harbor</a> have offered to allow Tesla to reinstall them in the <a href="https://parking.nationalharbor.com/parking-garages/fleet-garage/">Fleet Garage</a> at Tesla's cost. This is a paid garage where you get a card on entry and use a pay machine to pay the card before exiting with the card. You will therefore be forced to pay $5 for only 30 to 40 minutes of parking instead of being on the honor system as it currently is. Overall, it's unclear if Tesla will take them up on this offer, or consider moving to free parking at <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/location/76973">Tanger's Mall</a> down the street. The <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/location/157889">Springfield Supercharger</a> will remain opened.</p>
<p>I, for one shall be boycotting the new hotel. It breaks my heart to lose these as I work very close by and have only been able to use them twice in my 9 weeks driving <span style="color: red">#CO2Fre</span>.TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-19472508966334672532018-09-12T18:18:00.000-04:002018-09-12T18:18:42.512-04:00Last day to get free, unlimited supercharging!<p>As y'all may have heard, <font style="color:red">#CO2Fre</font> got an upgrade recently. <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUNqUrsBXR8" width="400"></iframe>. And of course I love this car. But as someone who's already driven over 150,000 mi [240,000 km] electric miles between 3 previous EVs, I must say one of my favorite features is the <strong>free, unlimited SuperCharging</strong> that comes with it!</p>
<p>And if you act today, 12 September, 2018, you too can get Free, Unlimited SuperCharging. Just use my <a href="https://ts.la/jeffrey22514">referral code</a>!</p>
<p>Now get out there and accumulate those electric miles my friends!</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-7463118875343944312018-03-02T15:45:00.001-05:002018-03-02T15:45:10.953-05:00Goodbye Nissan! Affordable, yes, Electric, yes, Car, yes, but can it even get you home from work?<p>As many of my readers know, I drive a lot. About 75 mi (120 km) a day, 1,550 mi (2,500 km) per month [for about $30–35], and about 20,000 mi (32,000 km) every year. And now that <span style="color:#FF0000">#CO2Fre</span> (technically, she is currently white) has a mere 33,875 miles, and just over 19 months, for the first time since owning <span style="color:#FF0000">#CO2Fre2</span> (2012 LEAF SL, down one bar, 42,700 mi and 27 months) and <span style="color:#FF0000">#CO2Fre1</span> (2013 LEAF SL, full bars, 50,000 mi and 30 months), this <span style="color:#FF0000">#CO2Fre</span> is already down <strong>two whole bars</strong>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tie6pu9OLVM/Wpmxnx-z6UI/AAAAAAAAW4E/FgNCu7uKPvI_bbT7ykmoEMrJleQKIscswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tie6pu9OLVM/Wpmxnx-z6UI/AAAAAAAAW4E/FgNCu7uKPvI_bbT7ykmoEMrJleQKIscswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><p>In fact, as you can see from LEAFSpy (<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Turbo3.Leaf_Spy_Pro">Android</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafspy-pro/id967376861">iOS</a>), <span style="color:#FF0000">#CO2Fre</span> is down to about 76.20% of it's original capacity (less than the capacity of a new 24kWh Battery LEAF) and merely just under 68% health. I will admit 64 #CHAdeMO sessions are a bit much for 19 months, but compared to 1642 Level 2 plugins, it's hardly unusual, especially within 33,875 miles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-moDC_k9odGs/WpmxnSvULiI/AAAAAAAAW4A/blKsdVUBogoscQ5ImxHr4WUHFD6acJITwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-moDC_k9odGs/WpmxnSvULiI/AAAAAAAAW4A/blKsdVUBogoscQ5ImxHr4WUHFD6acJITwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="1136" width="320" height="568" /></a></div><p>The moral of this story, my friends, is very simple. Although I still strongly recommend a <a href="https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listings/nissan/leaf/">used LEAF for under $10,000</a> with maybe 50 mi (80 km) capacity, I have but one piece of advice for all my readers, especially on the cusp of the sham 150 mi (240 km) capacity <a href="https://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/">2018 too-little-too-late LEAF</a>, my council is simply this: <span style="font-size: x-large">Do not get a Nissan, never again!</span></p><p>If only waiting for a <a href="https://www.tesla.com/model3">Tesla Model 三</a> wasn't a sisyphean task.</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-65780787314244712802017-09-19T15:30:00.001-04:002017-09-19T15:30:06.531-04:00How the Local Environment Effects Brewing<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S88eCA2Hib8" width="480"></iframe>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-49136282621472290182017-09-08T20:57:00.000-04:002017-09-08T20:57:02.724-04:00Drive Electric Week returns to Manassas<p>A last-minute addition to Drive Electric Week: Manassas, back again! Not since 2013 has Manassas held an event and this year we return to where it all started at the BadWolf Brewing Company for a panel discussion about how the local environment effects a brewer. Hope you can make it: <a href="https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=1193">Drive Electric Week in Manassas</a>
</p><p>Join former Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello at the Bad Wolf Brewery for a panel discussion about the environment, How the Local Environment Effects Brewing. Bad Wolf Brewing is returning as an event host from 2013 and is excited to be a part of Drive Electric Week again this year.
</p><p>We will be gathering our cars behind the brewery, near the patio, and have them available to discussion participants to chat about electric cars and how they are an important part of the sustainability equation, as well as all the other awesome advantages an electric ride can bring.</p>
TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-43849999191097376912016-09-07T14:45:00.000-04:002016-09-07T14:45:04.987-04:00National Drive Electric Week in Northern Virginia<div class=WordSection1>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQP086xbVU4/V9BV5kqtjKI/AAAAAAAAIbg/J80S0aISqPMtA3aK5bczy8QF0bAUbvmFgCLcB/s1600/image005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQP086xbVU4/V9BV5kqtjKI/AAAAAAAAIbg/J80S0aISqPMtA3aK5bczy8QF0bAUbvmFgCLcB/s320/image005.jpg" width="320" height="167" /></a></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:normal'>Jeffrey C. Jacobs</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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<h1>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h1>
<h1>September 7, 2016</h1>
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<p class=MsoTitle><a href="http://www.timehorse.com/NDEW2016/Drive%20Electric%20Week%202016.pdf">NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA</a></p>
<p class=MsoSubtitle>Events on Saturday, 10 September in Ashland, VA,
Woodbridge, VA, and Saturday, 17 September, in Arlington, VA</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Herndon, VA, September 7, 2016– Drive Electric Week
celebrates its 6<sup>th</sup> year in Virginia and first annual Electric Car
Rally from Richmond to Woodbridge</p>
<p class=MsoQuote>There’s no better home for Electric Cars than in the land of
Jefferson and Washington, in the spirit of keeping Virginia green.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>All are invited to come and learn more about electric cars
with 3 local, Northern Virginia events in 2016. Meet local Electric Car
drivers who will be sharing their experiences with driving an Electric Car in
the Capitol region. Nothing speaks more highly of the popularity of Electric
Cars in Virginia than the experiences of those who drive them every day, rain
or shine, in every season of the year.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Firstly, on Saturday, 10 September, local electric car
drivers will gather at MOM’s Organic Market in Woodbridge, VA, to celebrate the
electric car and kick off Drive Electric Week in Virginia. Snacks will be
provided by MOM’s and anyone interested may sign up for a silent auction of
various donated items from local businesses such as <a
href="https://momsorganicmarket.com/">MOM’s Organic Market</a> and <a
href="http://www.stonescove.com/">Stone’s Cove KitBar</a>. <a
href="http://www.lindsaychevroletwoodbridge.com/">Lindsay Chevrolet</a> will
also be there with a new Volt.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Saturday, 17 September, we move the event to MOM’s
Organic Market in Arlington, just outside of the Nation’s Capital, across from
McCoy Park and the Custis Trail. The silent auction continues in Arlington
while snacks are again provided by MOM’s Organic Market. Local Electric Car
dealers have also been contacted and we hope to have a number of new models on
display.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Also, in Ashland, Virginia, on 10 September, we are holding
the first annual Electric Car Road Rally from Richmond to Woodbridge. This
event mirrors similar rallies from the dawn of the motor car in the 1910s, back
when Electric Cars were as popular as gasoline cars, before the advent of the
electric starter. And upon arriving in Woodbridge, at 14:00, Prince William
Supervisor Frank Principi is scheduled to speak in recognition of Drive
Electric Week 2016.</p>
<p class=MsoQuote>National Drive Electric Week is an annual event sponsored by <a
href="http://www.pluginamerica.org/">Plug-In America</a>, the <a
href="http://www.electricauto.org/">Electric Auto Association</a>, and the <a
href="http://www.sierraclub.org/">Sierra Club</a>.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Save money and support the environment, all while using 100%
domestically produced energy. Experience what it means to drive an Electric
Car yourself.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'># # #</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>If you would like more information about this topic, please
contact Jeffrey C. Jacobs at 703-209-2976 or email at aecn@timehorse.com.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal> </p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Further information:</p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Official Woodbridge Event Page: <a
href="https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=634">https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=634</a></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Official Arlington Event Page: <a
href="https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=632">https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=632</a></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Official Richmond to Woodbridge Rally Page: <a
href="http://chargetonova.eventbrite.com/">http://chargetonova.eventbrite.com/</a></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Affordable Electric Car NOW: <a
href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/">http://aecn.timehorse.com/</a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n87mb0YTfy8/V9BWNRbB9wI/AAAAAAAAIbk/1ngrS-2GUrMV2zFnS4d9HkpIpNfYYJTmgCLcB/s1600/image006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n87mb0YTfy8/V9BWNRbB9wI/AAAAAAAAIbk/1ngrS-2GUrMV2zFnS4d9HkpIpNfYYJTmgCLcB/s320/image006.png" width="200" height="200" align="middle"/></a></p>
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</div>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-10043682436247079642015-04-15T17:18:00.000-04:002015-04-16T20:37:37.359-04:00302 Miles and a lot of luck: Part 1 - Road to Richmond<p>On 3 February, 2015, I had only two things I wished to accomplish: <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2015/02/mr-timehorses-wild-ride-and-how-he.html">Attend Clean Energy Lobby Day 2015 in Richmond</a>, Virginia and visit with some friends in Elkridge, Maryland. On any given day, Elkridge would be tricky but doable and Richmond would be a trial but to do both in one day, some might call me insane. Yet that's exactly what I did and thanks to <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Turbo3.Leaf_Spy_Pro">LEAF Spy</a> I can take you on that journey with me, through all the slow, meandering drive at 06:00 to the frantic search for the Richmond Omni Hotel to a relaxing sunset in Stafford, VA to the mystery of the South-West beltway to a dash to be home before midnight. So come with me along an exciting journey of 302 mi (486 km) in one day in <span style="color:#ff0000">#CO2Fre</span> <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/">Nissan LEAF</a>.
</p><p>In the maps below, not only is my route shown, but my State of Charge is indicated by the colour of the segment. A <span style="color:#0eff00">green</span> segment represents a near complete charge, a <span style="color:#ffff00">yellow</span> segment a battery at 50% and a <span style="color:#ff3d00">red</span> segment is pretty much just the infamous turtle <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtMb-Viq5Lg/VS7H-dTS8nI/AAAAAAAAEgs/JWt4YExyP7A/s1600/turtle-mode.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtMb-Viq5Lg/VS7H-dTS8nI/AAAAAAAAEgs/JWt4YExyP7A/s1600/turtle-mode.png" /></a>.
</p><h3>Slow and Steady Wins the Race
</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5k94WPeYlk/VS6y2V6wkJI/AAAAAAAAEgM/YvkjZxAMGoU/s1600/Home%2Bto%2BFredericksburg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5k94WPeYlk/VS6y2V6wkJI/AAAAAAAAEgM/YvkjZxAMGoU/s800/Home%2Bto%2BFredericksburg.png" width="380"/></a></div><p>I had intended to wake at 05:00 that morning but ended up oversleeping and was not on the road until about 06:00, much to my chagrin. None the less, I knew it I could make it to my first checkpoint of <a href="http://www.pohanka-nissan.com/">Pohanka Nissan of Fredericksburg</a>, 61 mi (98 km) from home. Ideally, I could have gone farther but that was the last <a href="http://www.chademo.com/">CHAdeMO</a> before Ashland, VA—19 mi (30 km) from Richmond—which is 97.9 mi (157 km) from my home and thus to risky for <span style="color:#ff0000">#CO2Fre</span> in my experience. So Fredericksburg it was and to be absolutely safe I used ECO routing which meant, as you can see on the map, I avoided the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_495_%28Capital_Beltway%29">Capital Beltway</a> and stuck to the lesser roads in more or less a straight line.
</p><p>I got stuck behind a couple school buses on the way there but fortunately I passed by one just before his lights flashed so no <a href="http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/points_6.asp">Class 6 Misdemeanor</a> on my permanent record for me. Other than that, the drive was uneventful and although I missed the turning and took a little time to find the CHAdeMO, I plugged in and set my timer for 30 minutes. Little did I know these CHAdeMO units, unlike the <a href="http://www.nrgevgo.com/">NRG eVgo</a> run units, will not stop after 30 minutes and can run until your LEAF is full—which is good because often times the CHAdeMO will cut off before reaching 80% because of the 30 minute timer.
</p><p>Not charging to 100% in Fredericksburg, however, would lead to some dire consequences.
</p><h3>Wherefore Art Thou, EVSE
</h3><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=z4vQNJs9AZEQ.kYq6YSMsXkGo" width="400" height="800">
</iframe><p>I was running late so I decided to forsake ECO routing and book down to Richmond as fast as I could.&nbps; For a spell I could see an unmarked car pacing me though so I avoided going too fast. As I approached Richmond, ideally, a mere 53.3 mi (85.8 km) from where I started, I noticed my battery capacity dropping precipitously and began to slow my roll. First, I slowed to 10 mph (16 kmph) below the speed limit. As I lost another state of charge bar, I went down to 20 mph (32 kmph) below. By the time I was down to my third bar I was going only 25 mph (40 kmph) on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_95">I95</a>, desperate to make it.
</p><p>I finally crawled into Richmond about 15 minutes late for my meeting with Delegate Robert Bell, and I still needed to park. I had sunk to Very Low Battery by the time I got near the hotel and had only about 6 GIDs left according to LEAF Spy. I just needed to find the hotel where I could charge my car using L2 since I planned to be in Richmond for several hours.
</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZu4WUGxv0M/VS7NsAXQbKI/AAAAAAAAEg8/eWAPZ6ydERc/s1600/Where%2Bis%2Bthe%2BRichmond%2BOmni%2BHotel.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZu4WUGxv0M/VS7NsAXQbKI/AAAAAAAAEg8/eWAPZ6ydERc/s320/Where%2Bis%2Bthe%2BRichmond%2BOmni%2BHotel.png" /></a><p>The LEAF navigation got me within about a block of the Richmond Omni Hotel so I knew I was close. As you can see, I circled and circled East Cary Steet, South 12th Street, East Main Street, back down 10th Street and round again. I eventually pulled into the <a href="https://www.bankofamerica.com/">Bank of America</a> with the turtle clearly visible on my dashboard and LEAF Spy reading only 5 GIDs left. I knew from experience that at 4 GIDs the LEAF goes dead and you need a tow and the last thing I needed was to be stuck in Richmond, meters from my target, late for my appointment, waiting for an hour for a free tow to the nearest charging station and the 2013 Nissan LEAF leaves little room between 5 GIDs and the deadly 4—if you see the turtle, usually it's too late.
</p><p>I finally parked in the Bank of America lot and called the hotel for directions. After going around the parking lot one more time, and paying for just passing through, I spotted a standard, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector">NEMA 5-20</a> wall plug at the parking lot exit. I pulled out my charging paraphernalia and set my custom EVSE to draw 16A from the 20A socket. Unfortunately, because of the cord length, I ended up blocking the exit to the parking lot so when I car did try and exit, I had to pull out my 100 foot (30 m) extension cord and move my car to get out of the other car's way. I parked in a reserved spot, ran the cord along the exit road and resumed charging.
</p><p>Eventually, the Richmond Omni Hotel and I were able to work out where I was with respect to the hotel and so I unplugged at 6 GIDs again and made my way, finally finding the hotel on South 12th Street a block below where I was. I rolled in and hotel staff directed me to the EVSE. I was saved, but alas, was an hour late for my legislative meeting and ended up profusely apologizing to Delegate Bell's staff since the delegate had already left for a General Assembly session.
</p><p>As I had some time to spare on the top floor of the legislative building, I decided I'd stop in to see my own Delegate, Tom Davis Rust, who gave a heartfelt speech a few days later when he announced his retirement this year. Delegate Rust and I had a nice, social chat and I must say his staff, Shane in particular, was very helpful and I owe him a personal thanks too. Delegate Rust and I didn't speak much as I had another meeting to get to, but I will say from the bottom of my heart, we may not have agreed on every issue, but I will say it's very rare you meet a somone with office with the integrity and intelligence of Delegate Rust, and I know I'm not the only one to feel that way. We'll miss you, sir!
</p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_uUHNgCiDc" width="400">
</iframe><p><em>More to come…</em></p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-29410676795482344162015-04-03T16:25:00.000-04:002015-04-15T14:30:46.123-04:00Hybrid Drivers and their Holier than Thou FUD<p>It's funny how a coddled, privileged and very vocal Hybrid Car driver minority will do anything to make sure they keep every perk they've maintained for the <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2011/10/commonwealths-six-year-transportation.html">past 20 years</a> even to the exclusion of newer, greener technology like pure Battery Electric and Plug In Hybrid Electric vehicles. Indeed, many of those drivers will do anything to maintain their sense of superiority by producing Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, FUD, in the face of obvious facts to the countary. Recently my friend at <a href="http://www.vacleancities.org/">Virginia Clean Cities</a> had got a letter from a Hybrid driver who was worried about the I66 HOV in Virginia was going to switch from HOV-2 with a Tier 2 Clean Fuel exemption to HOT lanes with an HOV-3 requirement to waive the toll. Or course when you're spoiled by a right that is discriminating against folks more worthy, you'll do anything to keep those more worthy out while wishing to maintain your undeserved right.
</p><p>Don't get me wrong, I like the Single-Occupancy HOV easements, I just think we need to step out of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. Hybrids are yesterday's technology and EVs are the wave of the future. They're cleaner, more energy efficient, cheaper, let you fill your pack in the comfort of your own home and also run on 100% domestic energy. Yet Hybrid drivers are obsessed with making a case that EVs are as dirty as hybrids by citing the downstream sources of pollution when comparing EVs to Hybrids yet ignoring where one's petroleum comes from.
</p><p>It took me a few minutes to calm down enough to respond to the FUD this coddled Hybrid driver was throwing in my face, but eventually, I tried to respond in the most reasoned way I knew how. This is what I said:
</p><blockquote><p>Dear <em>[name removed]</em>, please don't be blinded by the propaganda. What you just said is naïve in the extreme because it posits the idea that some how petroleum comes magically to the pump with no consequences. I know exactly what <a href="https://www.dom.com/residential/dominion-virginia-power">Dominion Virginia Power</a>'s energy mix is, an Electric Car can be powered by Solar and even if not a driver can buy a <a href="https://www.dom.com/library/domcom/pdfs/virginia-power/rates/shared/rider-g.pdf">1.3<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub> Rider</a> which requires Dominion to generate that much electricity from Renewables only. But <em>even</em> in the worst case, the Prius is dirtier than a LEAF: <a href="https://www.timehorse.com/2014-02-04-Lecture/2014-02-04_Lecture_files/Slide0057.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaezauzKNv4/VS6uBli7ctI/AAAAAAAAEgA/wDr21ZCLV1g/s320/Slide0057.gif" width="380"/></a> Even at 50 mpg the Prius is 14% more polluting than a LEAF on regular Dominion. I'm sick of lemmings thinking they can compare where electricity comes from without taking into account the pollution from refining, disasters like the Exxon Valdez—when we're smack dab in the middle of the anniversary—as well as the deepwater horizon that nearly destroyed the shrimp economy of Louisiana, and folks clamouring
for more of the same in the Alaskan Arctic and all the terrorism we're funding not just in the places you know but in places like Nigeria and
Boko Haram. You do realize that a plurality of the foreign oil used in this region is coming from Nigeria?
<a href="https://www.timehorse.com/2014-02-04-Lecture/2014-02-04_Lecture_files/Slide0048.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://cdn-images.9cloud.us/292/piccit_us_crude_oil_imports_by_coun_1930036293.315x0.png" width="380"/>
</a></p><p>The long and short of it, I <em>am</em> greener, and can be much, much greener. Can you power your car with photovoltaics? I didn't think so. And what's more, your car is just gonna get dirtier and less fuel efficient over time whereas Dominion is constantly installing cleaner power sources making even the worst case energy requirements cleaner over time, not dirtier.
</p><p>Before you go spouting FUD, try to learn the facts first, please, dirty-prius driver. Thank you however for being cleaner than a Ford
F150. Now can we move on without any more ad hominem attacks?
</p></blockquote><p>Okay, I'll admit it was a bit harsh of me to accuse a prius of being dirty. It is, of course, probably the most fuel-efficient non-plug-in car available outside of diesel—oh, but what a hybrid diesel could be. It's just that, clearly EVs are cleaner, from a little cleaner (on the standard Dominion Virginia Power fuel mix) to infinitely cleaner with a solar array. So can we finally stop with the fuel source FUD?
</p><h6>Note: The above slides come from my failed February 4, 2014 lecture which I had been planning to give during the Electric and Hybrid Vehicles seminar for the <a href="http://olli.gmu.edu/">Osher Lifelong Learning Institute</a> of <a href="https://www.gmu.edu/">George Mason University</a>, however the slides had not been ready in time.</h6>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-55154215586395664242015-02-24T16:29:00.000-05:002015-07-22T18:31:05.840-04:00Domestic Energy Empowerment and Deregulation Act<p>One if the most frustrating aspects of electric car ownership is when the <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2012/03/changes-for-better-ev-life-paying-for.html#C4aBEV-P4WRD-Pyramid">second tier</a> of charging priority<a href="#DEEPa-1" name="DEEPa-1ref"><sup>1</sup></a>, charing ones electric car at work, be prevented due to outdated regulations, one can be left with being forced into the uncomfortable third tier, namely going out of ones way to get a suplimental charge, waiting for 30–120 minutes to get enough charge to go home. One of the biggest arguments employeers give against letting their employees charge their electric cars at work is that they'd be giving the electricity away for free, which is more than they do for traditional gasoline cars, even if <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2013/01/changes-for-better-ev-life-trickling.html">the cars are only taking the equivalent of ounces of fuel</a>. Of course, most electric car drivers, myself included, sympathise with employeers facing this conumdrum. Ideally, the employeer would see that providing $1.50 worth of electricity to an employee over the course of a day would hardly break the bank and would be a huge value-added benefit employees that helps retain your best and brightest workers.
</p><p>However, what if your employer is the biggest employer in the entire United States of America? An organization that employed an <a href="http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/federal-employment-reports/historical-tables/total-government-employment-since-1962/">estimated 4.231 million people in 2013</a>? What about the United States Federal Government, including our men and women in uniform serving both domestically and abroad? How do we get the federal workforce the right to charge their cars at work? If we're not allowed to take a $1.50 of electricity for free, why can't the Government just <em>shut up and take our money</em>?
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LQU3Cjj0Ro/VOzArxAIfLI/AAAAAAAACfo/YLH0uTziQdk/s1600/ChargeAtWork-TakeMyMoney.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="When it comes to Charge at work… Shut up and take my money!" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LQU3Cjj0Ro/VOzArxAIfLI/AAAAAAAACfo/YLH0uTziQdk/s320/ChargeAtWork-TakeMyMoney.png" title="" /></a></div><p>After all, it's not like the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/1402/text">House</a> and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/739/text">Senate</a> didn't give themselves that same right in 2012. All I'm saying is what about the rest of us?
</p><p>Well, thanks to <a href="https://www.congress.gov/member/zoe-lofgren/701">Representative Zoe Lofgrin (CA-19)</a>, we <em>almost</em> got just that with her <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4645/text">EV-COMUTE bill</a>. Unfortunately, this bill went nowhere in Congress and now, with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/114th_United_States_Congress">114th Congress</a> we start again with a clean slate.
</p><p>Now, I live in a conservative district of the nation. As such, the values and principles we have aren't always aligned with those in the more progressive parties such as the party which introduced the EV-COMUTE act. The EV-COMUTE act wasn't written in any kind of partisan way, but it strikes me that perhaps it should have in such a way that a conservative could in fact support it.
</p><h3>It's about Empowerment
</h3><p>The biggest issue as I see it is an outdated regulation that prevents government employees and men and women in uniform from simply paying the treasury directly for the electricity our electric cars might be using. I therefore propose the <strong>Domestic Energy Empowerment and Deregulation act</strong>, or the <strong>DEED act</strong>. The act, as I propose would read as follows:
</p><blockquote><p>In order to allow the use of domestically-produced energy for the propulsion of privately owned vehicles used by the nation's Men and Women in Uniform and the Civilians and Contractors who make up the Federal Workforce. Being that current Federal Regulations prohibit this workforce from paying the Treasury for the use of locally-sourced electrical energy which could be used to power these private vehicles. To remove all regulations which prohibit the use of electricity on Federal property and authorize any office of the Federal Government which owns or operates a parking area for the use of its employees to install, construct, operate, and maintain a battery recharging station in the area, and for other purposes, and to allow any such Agency which owns this property to bill and collect for any and all electricity used for which the Federal Government is already paying or has paid.
</p><p>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
</p><dl><dt>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
</dt><dd><p>This Act may be cited as the ``Domestic Energy Empowerment and Deregulation Act'' or the ``DEED Act''.
</p></dd><dt>SEC. 2. OPERATION OF BATTERY RECHARGING STATIONS IN PARKING AREAS USED BY MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
</dt><dd><dl><dt>(a) Authorization.-‍-
</dt><dd><dl><dt>(1) In general.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>The head of any office of the Federal Government which owns or operates a parking area for the use of its employees (either directly or indirectly through a contractor) or members of the armed forces may install, construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis a battery recharging station in such area for the use of privately owned vehicles of employees and service people of the office and others who are authorized to park in such area.
</dt><dd><dt>(2) Existing infrastructure.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>The head of an office may carry out paragraph (1) by making use of existing parking infrastructure through the authorization of selected, US National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 5 outlets or other electrical receptacles available and convenient to employee parking. Use of existing outlets shall be considered optimal by an office head as the lowest-cost solution.
</p></dd><dt>(3) Use of vendors.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>The head of an office may carry out paragraph (1) through a contract with a vendor, under such terms and conditions (including terms relating to the allocation between the office and the vendor of the costs of carrying out the contract) as the head of the office and the vendor may agree to.
</p></dd></dl></dd><dt>(b) Imposition of Fees To Cover Costs.-‍-
</dt><dd><dl><dt>(1) Fees.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>The head of an office of the Federal Government which operates and maintains a battery recharging station under this Act shall charge fees to the individuals who use the station in such amount as is necessary to ensure that office recovers all of the costs it incurs in installing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the station.
</p></dd><dt>(2) Deposit and availability of fees.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>Any fees collected by the head of an office under this subsection shall be-‍-
</p></dd><dl><dt>(A) deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriations account for salaries and expenses of the office; and
</dt><dd/><dt>(B) available for obligation without further appropriation during-‍-
</dt><dd><dl><dt>(i) the fiscal year collected; and
</dt><dd/><dt>(ii) the fiscal year following the fiscal year collected.
</dt><dd/></dl></dd></dl></dd></dl></dd><dt>(c) No Effect on Existing Programs for House and Senate.-‍-
</dt><dd><p>Nothing in this Act may be construed to affect the installation, construction, operation, or maintenance of battery recharging stations by the Architect of the Capitol-‍-
</p><dl><dt>(1) under Public Law 112-170 (2 U.S.C. 2171), relating to employees of the House of Representatives and individuals authorized to park in any parking area under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives on the Capitol Grounds; or
</dt><dd/><dt>(2) under Public Law 112-167 (2 U.S.C. 2170), relating to employees of the Senate and individuals authorized to park in any parking area under the jurisdiction of the Senate on the Capitol Grounds.
</dt><dd/></dl></dd></dl></dd><dt>SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
</dt><dd>This Act shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2016 and each succeeding fiscal year.
</dd></dl></blockquote><p>Won't you write your representative to introduce or sponsor this act?
</p><hr/><p><a name="DEEPa-1" href="#DEEPa-1ref"><sup>1</sup></a>The first tier is charging at home while one sleeps, like a mobile phone.</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-78567932053135516842015-02-02T15:43:00.000-05:002015-02-02T15:52:40.471-05:00Mr. TimeHorse's Wild Ride and how he tried to save the Virginia Environment<p>On Tuesday, 3 February, 2015, members of the <a href="http://www.vaadvancedenergy.org/">Virginia Advanced Energies Industries Coalition</a> (VAEIC) will be gathering in Richmond, Virginia for <a href="http://www.vaceld.org/">Clean Energy Lobby Day</a> (CELD) 2015. The event is in co-operation with <a href="http://www.vacleancities.org/">Virginia Clean Cities</a> and the <a href="http://mdvseia.org/">Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association</a> (MDV-SEIA)—who produce the rather repetitive and wordy <a href="http://mdvseia.org/solar-flare/">Solar Flare newsletter</a>. A number of industries in the energy sector are also sponsoring CELD, including <a href="https://www.dom.com/residential/dominion-virginia-power">Dominion Virginia Power</a>, <a href="http://www.solarcity.com/">Solar City</a>, <a href="http://www.prospectsolar.com/">Prospect Solar</a>, <a href="http://standardsolar.com/">Standard Solar</a>, and <a href="https://www.columbiagasva.com/">Columbia Gas of Virginia</a>; a complete list of sponsors is available on the official CELD page above.</p><h3>
<a name="CELD2015Trip"></a>The Trip</h3><p>
Unfortunately, none of the bills under consideration in the Commerce and Labour committee solve the many problems Electric Car drivers face in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which I hope to summarize in a subsequent article. None the less, it's my desire to be a part of events like this, but usually I need to be at the job and those silly <a href="https://www.google.com/adsense/app">AdSense</a> ads (sorry about those) aren't gonna pay the bills. However, due to some abuse I received at my job to which I reacted exceedingly poorly I happen to have the day off so it's absolutely my plan to be there tomorrow. That is, to drive to Richmond… 115 mi (185 km) away… in <span style="color:#ff0000">#CO2Fre</span> <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/">Nissan LEAF</a>… which is lucky to do 80 mi (130 km) on a good day… at 05:00 in the morning… in 20℉ (-7℃) weather… and naturally no heater…</p><p>
Not only that, but in the evening I'm planning to meet some friends in <a href="http://www.cityoflaurel.org/">Laurel, MD</a>—land of the $35 cab to go 3.5 km (2 mi). Needless to say, if I'm to try anything as ambitious as 320 mi (515 km) in a single day, I'm gonna need some quick charging; I'm gonna need <a href="http://www.chademo.com/">CHAdeMO</a>.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ppm2_bIGXVA/VM_Ebg_2pJI/AAAAAAAACbI/HHtPYnt91GM/s1600/CELD%2B2015%2BRoute.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ppm2_bIGXVA/VM_Ebg_2pJI/AAAAAAAACbI/HHtPYnt91GM/s1600/CELD%2B2015%2BRoute.gif" /></a></div><p>Fortunately, thanks to the folks at <a href="http://www.nrgevgo.com/">NRG eVgo</a>, various Nissan Dealers and <a href="http://greenlots.com/">Greenlots</a> (not to be confused with <a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Gringotts_Wizarding_Bank">Gringotts</a>, though they can be just as pricy), I have some hope. First, I plan to use ECO routing to get to <a href="http://www.pohanka-nissan.com/">Pohanka Nissan</a> in <a href="http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/">Fredricksburg, VA</a>. From there I should be able to get straigt to Richmond, however, it's possible that the Level 2 plug at the <a href="http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/richmond">Richmond Omni Hotel</a> will be in use (I plan to call from Fredricksburg to make sure), so as a backup I'll hit the CHAdeMO at <a href="http://www.macsservicecenter.com/">Mac's Service Center</a> in <a href="http://www.town.ashland.va.us/">Ashland, VA</a>, which is part of Greenlots. I should therefore arrive in Richmond around 08:00, or so I hope. Fortunately, the Virginia <a href="http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/">General Assembly</a> building should be about a 5–10 minute walk from the Omni.</p><p>
I should be able to bring <span style="color:#ff0000">#CO2Fre</span> to 100% charge at the Omni by 12:30, so if anyone needs the EVSE I'll be happy to move my car during lunch; I need enough charge to get back to Pohanka and have some left over for my next two stations. Once I'm charged at Pohanka the second time, I plan to drive all the way up to the <a href="http://alexandriava.gov/">Alexandria, VA</a> NRG eVgo <a href="http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/60094">CHAdeMO</a>. Then, it's all the way over to the <a href="http://klnbretail.propertycapsule.com/properties/gatewayoverlookshoppingcenter/#overview">Gateway Overlook</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkridge,_Maryland">Elkridge, MD</a> for a third <a href="http://api.plugshare.com/view/location/55343">CHAdeMO</a> session.</p><p>
My hope is, after the CHAdeMO in Elkridge, I should have enough energy to visit my friends in Laurel and then drive straight home. At least that's the hope…</p><h2>
Relevant Legislation</h2><p>
Anyway, as I was saying, I'm planning to go down to the General Assembly on Tuesday, with a focus on a couple of environmental bills before the Commerce and Labour committee. Specifically, I'm focusing on 2 bills before the committee.</p><h3><a href="http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?151+sum+HB2237">HB2237</a>: Electric utilities; costs of solar energy facilities</h3><blockquote>
<strong>Electric utilities; costs of solar energy facilities.</strong> Authorizes an investor-owned electric utility that purchases a solar power generation facility located in the Commonwealth consisting of at least five megawatts of generating capacity to recover the costs of acquiring the facility, with an enhanced rate of return on equity, through a rate adjustment clause. The rate adjustment clause for recovering such costs may be based on a market index in lieu of a cost of service model. The measure also states that (i) the construction or purchase by a utility of such a solar power generation facility and (ii) planning and development activities for solar energy facilities are in the public interest.</blockquote><p>
The idea of this bill is to give an incentive to electric utilities which buy solar power facilities within the Commonwealth. It sets a minimum capacity of 5MW so that trivial purchases don't qualify for these incentives. The only problem is that it doesn't say much about third-party interests in terms of the initial construction of a solar generating facility. But otherwise, this seems like a good thing and something I'm happy to support.</p><h3>
<a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+sum+SB1331">SB 1331</a>: Natural Gas Conservation and Ratemaking Efficiency Act; cost-effective programs</h3><blockquote>
<strong>Natural Gas Conservation and Ratemaking Efficiency Act; cost-effective programs.</strong> Requires the State Corporation Commission, when determining whether a natural gas conservation or energy efficiency program is cost-effective, to base its determination upon an evaluation of a portfolio of programs as a whole and not upon an evaluation of a program or measure on an individual basis.</blockquote><p>
The idea here is that we want the elimination of non cost-effective programs to be based on whether their elimination would make the whole package of incentives and benefits more cost-effective rather than subtracting one element and because it's removed some other benefit is hindered and thus the net effect could be worse than keeping the seemingly single less-effective subsidy in place. By allowing the <a href="https://www.scc.virginia.gov/">State Corporation Commission</a> to take the entire package into account, it's hoped that conservations programs can be added and removed with a guaranteed overall net benefit. This is why I support this bill.</p><hr/><p>
Of course, these bills aren't the only reason I'm trying to make this insane trip to Richmond, Laurel, and back again. In July, I'm planning to go to my 5×5 joint High School reunion, up in <a href="http://www.westhartfordct.gov/">West Hartford, CT</a>, a 360 mi (580 km) journey with, hopefully, no 4½ hour stop-over like in Richmond. Now <strong>that's</strong> gonna take some planning!</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-4931247408052256382015-01-22T12:46:00.000-05:002015-01-22T12:46:25.673-05:00Elon Musk as a Simpsons character?Coming this Sunday to a small screen near you!  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk">Elon Musk</a> is going to be on an episode of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/">The Simpsons</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/aljean/status/494164768886759425">announced </a>by Simpson's Producer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jean">Al Jean</a>. Will Mr. Musk survive the wrath of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Burns">C. Montgomery Burns</a>? Tune in Sunday, 25 January 2015 to find out!</p><p>
And for fans of the game The Simpsons™ Tapped Out (on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-simpsons-tapped-out/id497595276?mt=8">iOS</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.game.simpsons4_na&hl=en">Android</a>—Yours truly is plays under the moniker of <em>TimeHorse</em>, naturally), here's a picture of all three premium item Electric Cars modeled by one of the rarest of premium characters, Shauna, in her Halloween She-Devil outfit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSzSwBRYJrQ/VMEw5RsIZ-I/AAAAAAAACZ4/qcNtwtdskMQ/s1600/Shauna%2BModels%2BElectric%2BCars%2Bin%2BShe-Devil%2BCostume.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSzSwBRYJrQ/VMEw5RsIZ-I/AAAAAAAACZ4/qcNtwtdskMQ/s320/Shauna%2BModels%2BElectric%2BCars%2Bin%2BShe-Devil%2BCostume.png" /></a></div> Alas so far most of my friends on the <a href="http://www.ea.com/">EA</a> forum users <a href="http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/10281167.page">stuck in ICEs or walking</a> (forgot to put a no-car option because you can't get more environmental than that).</p><p>
(<em>Finger Tenting</em>) Excellent.</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-375004400128814482015-01-02T11:18:00.001-05:002015-03-23T23:34:03.417-04:00Thinking of buying a Tesla?<p>Here some great reasons to buy and some important disclaimer for folks in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is my belief as an already electric car driver it behooves me to write the caveats in hopes that Tesla and I, once we get those papers filed and service center in Fairfax Country, Virginia on Tyco Blvd., can work together to break the backs of the hybrid lobby and show Richmond and Fairfax that Electric Cars are the future.
</p><table><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTkxS6fbEuw/VKa5EspqfDI/AAAAAAAACYw/jSdGvseRjKY/s1600/dollar%2B(T).png" /></td><th style="vertical-align:middle">The US government offers a $7,500 federal tax credit when you purchase a new Tesla.
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Yes, the tax credit is helpful, but only if you pay at least $7,500 in taxes. As this would typically be someone earning $40,000 per year or more, I don't think it needs a caveat since no-one earning only $40,000 per year could *every* *dream* of owning a Model S at the equivalent of 2 years salary.
</tr><td><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAEpMrxuFEc/VKa5EkMNE-I/AAAAAAAACYs/UaU_h6fNZyc/s1600/diamond%2B(T).png" /></td><th>Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the Virginia Clean Special Fuel license plate may use Virginia HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants.
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Clean Fuel plates are grandfathered, meaning the hybrid drivers ate up all the good ones and all that's left are third-generation access that only allows HOV access on a toll road in Northern Virginia. We need to work to wrest those first-generation Clean Fuel plates attached to dirty priuses and civic hybrids from those smelly, polluting, dirty cars and reissue them to the proper, truly clean, 100% cars like the Tesla Model S and the car I drive which I won't bother mentioning because I'm just here to promote Tesla and the Model S, even while I can't afford one. But maybe this point is moot since most of the HOV lanes in Virginia are being replaced by toll-based HOT lanes where the Clean Fuel plates don't even qualify.
</td></tr><tr><td><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTkxS6fbEuw/VKa5EspqfDI/AAAAAAAACYw/jSdGvseRjKY/s1600/dollar%2B(T).png" /></td><th>Local governments may reduce personal property taxes paid on electric vehicles.
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Some local governments reduce your property tax burden by as much as 50%. For example Prince William County, Arlington County and the richest county in the nation, Loudoun County, all provide property tax discounts. However, the most populous and third richest county nationally, Fairfax, provides *no* property tax discounts what-so-ever, not for hybrids, not for electrics. And the property tax on a Model S can be as high as $2,500 per year. Though I suppose if you can afford a Model S, you can afford a property tax bill which represents your approximate fuel savings. And let's not forget, Fairfax County is where the Tesla Showroom and future Service Center are located.
</td></tr><tr><td><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXggALWh1Kc/VKa5EmRIL3I/AAAAAAAACYo/WzzOudz5pfM/s1600/bolt%2B(T).png" /></td><th>Virginia Dominion Power offers <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/Dom%20EV%20Rates%20Series">reduced residential rates for electric vehicle charging</a>.
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Dominion's rates are why I used to pay $2,500 on fuel before getting an EV and now pay less than $300 per year for fuel. The electric cost per kWh out of pocket (including tax, generation, distribution and all riders) can be as low as about 6¢/kWh. But there is a caveat for this too, since Dominion now requires you to put your whole house on Time of Use for this rate, meaning if you have a stay-at-home parent and kids you'll be running the air conditioner and if you have a heat pump the heater seasonally at peak rates, though the rates fall into 4 tiers so the evenings aren't too bad and the overnights are dirt cheap. They used to offer a two-meter solution but having gone this route I will say for me it's hard to consider it worth it. While the whole house solution has effectively no cost to the customer to install, the two meter solution added perhaps $1,000 more installation costs after EVSE tax credits, which would take years to realize in saving relative to the whole-house option. Then again, I calculated this based on the fact that I don't have a stay-at-home parent in my house.
</td></tr><tr><td><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTkxS6fbEuw/VKa5EspqfDI/AAAAAAAACYw/jSdGvseRjKY/s1600/dollar%2B(T).png" /></td><th>Electric vehicles are exempt from biannual emissions inspections.
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">True, but safety inspections are still required. Let's not let drivers forget this lest they wish to get a ticket for failing to get their car inspected annually.
</td></tr><tr><td><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTkxS6fbEuw/VKa5EspqfDI/AAAAAAAACYw/jSdGvseRjKY/s1600/dollar%2B(T).png" /></td><th>Most importantly… NEVER PAY FOR GAS AGAIN!
</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Again, true, but what anti-EV Richmond did, secretly in the dark of the Hybrid Lobby highly public excision of a $64 surtax is leave that surtax on Electric Vehicles, in addition to a $50 per year tax already imposed on Electric Vehicles. So effectively, Electric Vehicles are taxed $114 annually for use of the Virginia Roads (fuel taxes) which is, as far as I can tell, the highest fuel tax in the nation on EVs. Compare this to a 50 mpg Hybrid driving the average 15,000 mi per year. This represents only $48.60 in taxes for fuel at the rate of 16.2<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>gal</sub> as of 1 January 2015. Thus, for 15,000 mi traveled per year an EV pays more than twice that of a hybrid in Virginia. This is something which we need to fix. Never should a hybrid be taxed less than an EV. It's wrong for Tesla, and wrong for all of Teslas EV-driving supporters.
</td></tr></table><p>Thank you for reading
</p><h6>It's good to be back!</h6>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-63834444610289705962014-11-19T15:27:00.000-05:002014-11-19T15:27:54.651-05:00Electric Cars don't park at gas pumps to go Shopping…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luD-JAul0G8/VGz1KBfhtaI/AAAAAAAACVc/OHdfBwlG3uk/s1600/Canadian%2BElectric.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luD-JAul0G8/VGz1KBfhtaI/AAAAAAAACVc/OHdfBwlG3uk/s320/Canadian%2BElectric.png" /></a></div><p>My friend Alex Santos in <a href="http://www.canada.ca/">Canada</a> recently went to get petrol at a gas station and snapped this photo. I couldn't resist the image as one of the biggest concerns we Electric Car drivers have is the problem of <i>ICEing</i>, which is when a driver of a car, typically powered solely by an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine">Internal Combustion Engine</a> parks in a spot designated for Electric Vehicles and containing an easily accessible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charging_station">EVSE</a>. Signs informing the driver that the location is reserved usually don't help and <a href="http://pluginsites.org/anti-iceing-law-hits-snag-maple-lawn/">notes without enforcement are often thrown away</a> as my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/Lanny">Lanny Hartmann</a> has video to testify. And although <a href="http://pluginsites.org/towing-enforced-charging-station-signs-at-mosaic-district/">enforced towing does tend to succeed</a>, that can sometimes cause a backlash among a business's customers. To that effect, sometimes pictures speak louder than words and in that I hope this Public Service Announcement can help bridge a gap and explain why we Electric Car drivers are so concerned about the issue of ICEing.TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-25797966228246750922013-08-22T11:11:00.001-04:002022-03-02T08:29:29.019-05:00Being Green on Arlington Weekly News<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gp.org/candidates/images/Miriam-Gennari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gp.org/candidates/images/Miriam-Gennari.jpg" width="200"/></a></div>Last week, my friend <a href="mailto:virginiavolt@yahoo.com?Subject:I%20read%20about%20your%20interview%20on%20AECN.timehorse.com">Denis Dineen</a> and I were interviewed by the lovely <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/miriam-gennari/5/298/773">Miriam Gennari</a> for a taping of the <a href="http://arlingtonmedia.org/arlington-weekly-news">Arlington Weekly News</a> at the <a href="http://arlingtonmedia.org/">Arlington County Independent Media</a> studios in, naturally, <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/">Arlington, VA</a> to appear in one of her wonderful Being Green segments. We were there chiefly to promote the <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2013/08/international-plug-in-day-bring-out.html">International Plug-In Day</a> event on 28–29 September of this year. The episode is schedule to premier today, Thursday, 22 August at 18:00 (6 pm), with repeats Saturday, 24 August at 10:30 (10:30 am) and Monday, 26 August at 20:30 (8:30 pm) as well as 3 overnight airings. Arlington County Independent Media can be recieved on <a href="http://www.comcast.com/">Comcast</a> Channel 69 and <a href="https://www.verizon.com/home/bundles/fios/">Verizon FiOS</a> channel 38 for Arlington residents.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.arlingtonmedia.org/files/aim/programs/awnlog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.arlingtonmedia.org/files/aim/programs/awnlog2.jpg" width="225"/></a></div><p>Denis drives a <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html">Chevy Volt</a> and is always prepared to give folks advice about electric cars. Feel free to email him at <a href="mailto:virginiavolt@yahoo.com?subject:I%20read%20about%20your%20interview%20on%20AECN.timehorse.com">virginiavolt@yahoo.com</a>; he's more than happy to answer any questions as a Volt driver about how great it is to drive an electric car. He has a wonderful information sheet he loves to share with folks that I should likewise share here at some point. He often encourages me to write a similar sheet for <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span>, but then, isn't <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/">this website</a> enough?? ☺
</p><h2>1,500 mi (2,400 km) on just $25
</h2><p>In my interview I quoted my estimated mileage cost as 1,500 miles per month and a household electric bill on the order of $25. My regular readers may remember my excitement for and analysis of the current <a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/">Dominion Virginia Power</a> <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/Dom%20EV%20Rates%20Series">Time-of-Use (ToU) power rates</a> two years ago. Since then, I've picked up my <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/">Nissan LEAF</a> and driven over 34,000 miles in 21 months of ownership and have a much better handle on how much it costs to drive electric. As I <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2011/10/schedule-ev-rate-for-me.html">announced</a> that October, I went with the <a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">Schedule EV</a> dual meter rate plan.
</p><h3>A month at MOM's
</h3><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://carstations.com/wp-content/uploads/12347/20111128_112939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://carstations.com/wp-content/uploads/12347/20111128_112939.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Once I signed up for the ToU rate plan, I asked the electrician who <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2010/12/clipper-creek-cs-100-evse-installed.html">installed my Clipper Creek CS-100</a> to split my EVSE's (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment) subpanel from the main subpanel in order to be hooked up to the second, electric-vehicle-only meter to be installed by Dominion, which would happen later. <a href="http://www.momsorganicmarket.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp">MOM's Organic Market</a> in Herndon had just opened, replacing the vacant suite that had many years ago hosted the only <a href="http://www.hardtimes.com/">Hard Times Cafe</a> near my home—I was gutted to see this restaurant go and for the space to be empty for so many years. Had it been any other store than MOM's which would have replaced it, a boycott of the new occupant would most assuredly be in place!
</p><p>Now, MOM's is a very EV (Electric Vehicle) friendly business. Employees even get a $5,000 rebate towards a qualified electric car like the Nissan LEAF. Part of MOM's commitment to EVs is that at most of their stores, including <a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=113&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Herndon</a>, they have free EVSEs where a patron can charge his electric car. So I went over to MOM's and introducing myself and explained my situation. That's when I met extremely affable and helpful store manager JP Exon who was more than happy to have me leave <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span> plugged in over night while I waited for Dominion to install the second meter. I needed the EVSE at MOM's because I drive almost 70 mi (113 km) a day, which is most of my Nissan LEAF's battery pack. Because a wall outlet could only charge my car to about 90% of the amount used in a day in the 12 hours I'd have it plugged in at home, it meant I had to use a full, Level 2 EVSE with at least 3.8kW power. Thank goodness, therefore, for MOM's!
</p><p>So in early December of 2011, my EVSE was disconnected, after just over one month of at-home charging, and I started to plug my car in every night at MOM's in Herndon, then walk home. In the morning, when I couldn't get a ride, I'd walk all the way back and then drive my car to work only to do it all over again the following night. This went on for weeks while Dominion dragged its feet about installing my second meter. As the year drew to a close, and Dominion still hadn't scheduled my second meter install, I started getting anxious. After a number of calls and e-mails they finally installed my second meter just before the end of the year and I could finally plug in at home again.
</p><h3>20 Months of 30-minute ToU Data
</h3>As a part of Dominion's Time-of-Use EV Rate plan experiment, I'm able to view my electric usage in 30-minute increments in terms of both net energy and peak power since the meter installation. Recall that the 2011–2012 Nissan LEAF has an inefficient 3.8kW charger that in turn feeds the battery at merely 3.3kW, meaning up to 500W of energy is wasted in the process. Since the power is measured at the plug, these numbers don't reflect the energy the battery receives, rather they reflect the energy used including powering the EVSE and the LEAF internal charger. Because the increments are in half-hour intervals, the total energy is half that used in an hour, or about 1.9kWh at most for a given interval.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABWDr7pLc3E/UhTuhZCAJ9I/AAAAAAAABLA/i_aw7CM-7-w/s1600/chart_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABWDr7pLc3E/UhTuhZCAJ9I/AAAAAAAABLA/i_aw7CM-7-w/s320/chart_1.png" /></a></div><p>As you can see from the chart, my power spikes at around 01:00 (1:00 am) because that's when the Super-Off Peak rate begins. There's a small component before that when I want want to get a little extra charge to cover a severly depleated pack but for the most part I start at 01:00 (1:00 am) and finish by 06:00 (6:00 am) on weekdays, just before Peak rates begin, or 05:00 (5:00 am) on weekends, just before the regular Off-Peak begins.
</p><p>One interesting aspect of my ToU data is there's always a gap at 02:00 (2:00 am) when Daylight Savings begins. The data has blanks for the two periods from 02:00–02:30 (2:00 am to 2:30 am) and 02:30–03:00 (2:30 am to 3:00 am). Interestingly enough, when we gain an hour by going back to standard time, there's no corresponding double entries for those same hours. What my power utility and EVSE are doing then, I have no idea.
</p><p>For any reader interested in the full, massive data set of charging events, please send me a note and I'll be happy to share it.
</p><h2>My Ride Just Keeps Getting Cheaper
</h2><p>One thing I've noticed over time, watching how my itemized electric bill has changed over the past 21 months is how in general, at least in the short term, my costs for driving <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span> have more or less been steadily <strong>decreasing</strong>. So while my fuel cost was $28.32 in January, 2012, my most recent, July 2013, cost only $23.61. So while I may have averaged $25 per month early on, I'm now paying slightly less. The following table summarizes all the Riders associated with my Electric Bill and how they've changed over time:
</p><table border="1"><caption>Dominion Virginia Power <a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/">Electricity Riders</a>
</caption><thead><tr><th>Description
</th><th>Rider
</th><th>Initial
</th><th>Current
</th><th>Change
</tr></thead><tbody><tr><th colspan="5" align="center"><a name="ArlingtonWeeklyTable1"></a>Table 1: Schedule EV Distribution Constants
</th></tr><tr><th>Basic Customer Charge
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>$2.90
</td><td>$2.90
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th>On/Off Peak
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>2.5200<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>2.5560<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Increased on 2012-12-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Super Off peak
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0360<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Charge instituted 2012-12-01
</td></tr><tr><th>C1
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>0.0110<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Phased out on 2012-12-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Peak Shaving Increment
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidc1a.pdf">C1A</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0070<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Instituted 2012-05-01 at 0.0100<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Decreased 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th>C2
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>0.0250<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Phased out on 2012-12-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Energy Efficiency Increment
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidc2a.pdf">C2A</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0460<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Instituted 2012-05-01 at 0.0240<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Increased 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">Schedule EV Supply Constants
</th></tr><tr><th>On Peak
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>10.7690<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>10.7690<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th>Off Peak
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>1.4290<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>1.4290<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th>Super Off Peak
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>0.6840<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.6840<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th>Transmission
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/vabev.pdf">EV</a>
</td><td>0.9700<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.9700<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">Fuel
</th></tr><tr><th>Fuel Charge
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varida.pdf">A</a>
</td><td>3.2890<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>2.9420<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Decreased 2012-07-01 to 2.6970<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Increased 2012-10-15 to 2.7060<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Increased 2013-07-01
</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">Other ESS Rider Constants
</th></tr><tr><th>Biomass Conversion
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidb.pdf">B</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0230<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Instituted 2012-04-01 at 0.0120<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Increased 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Bear Garden Generating Station
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidr.pdf">R</a>
</td><td>0.1460<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.1470<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Decreased 2012-05-01 to 0.1420<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Increased 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varids.pdf">S</a>
</td><td>0.3730<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.4660<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Increased 2012-07-01 to 0.4740<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Decreased 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Base Rate Credit
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidbrx.pdf">BRC/BRX</a>
</td><td>-0.1320<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Decreased 2012-10-15 to -0.1850<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Ended 2012-12-31
</td></tr><tr><th>Transmission
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidt1.pdf">T1</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>-0.2670<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Instituted 2012-08-01 to replace Rider T
</td></tr><tr><th>Warren County Power Station
</th><td><a href="http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidw.pdf">W</a>
</td><td>0.0000<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.1560<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Instituted 2012-04-01 at 0.0660<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>; Incremented 2013-04-01
</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" align="center">Tax Rate Constants
</th></tr><tr><th>Sales and Use Tax
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/salesanduse.pdf">Surcharge</a>
</td><td>0.0500<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.0610<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Increased 2013-01-01
</td></tr><tr><th>Consumption Tax (< 2.5 MWh)
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/consumptiontax.pdf">Tax</a>
</td><td>0.001520<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.001520<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr><tr><th>Consumption Tax (> 2.5 MWh; < 50 MWh)
</th><td><a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/consumptiontax.pdf">Tax</a>
</td><td>0.000970<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>0.000970<sup>¢</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>
</td><td>Unchanged
</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Given that, here is the breakdown of my monthly electrical usage:
</p><table><caption><a name="ArlingtonWeeklyTable2"></a>Table 2: Monthly Electrical Usage
</caption><thead><tr><th>Month
</th><th>On Peak (kWh)
</th><th>Off Peak (kWh)
</th><th>Super Off Peak (kWh)
</th><th>Cost
</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 2012
</td><td>3
</td><td>95
</td><td>296
</td><td>$28.32
</td></tr><tr><td>February 2012
</td><td>7
</td><td>79
</td><td>351
</td><td>$30.69
</td></tr><tr><td>March 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>60
</td><td>330
</td><td>$26.57
</td></tr><tr><td>April 2012
</td><td>2
</td><td>44
</td><td>351
</td><td>$26.81
</td></tr><tr><td>May 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>41
</td><td>376
</td><td>$27.70
</td></tr><tr><td>June 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>37
</td><td>350
</td><td>$25.97
</td></tr><tr><td>July 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>33
</td><td>376
</td><td>$25.27
</td></tr><tr><td>August 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>30
</td><td>324
</td><td>$22.13
</td></tr><tr><td>September 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>17
</td><td>175
</td><td>$13.06
</td></tr><tr><td>October 2012
</td><td>0
</td><td>30
</td><td>356
</td><td>$22.70
</td></tr><tr><td>November 2012
</td><td>5
</td><td>34
</td><td>342
</td><td>$23.21
</td></tr><tr><td>December 2012
</td><td>7
</td><td>47
</td><td>354
</td><td>$25.24
</td></tr><tr><td>January 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>29
</td><td>224
</td><td>$17.70
</td></tr><tr><td>February 2013
</td><td>5
</td><td>29
</td><td>219
</td><td>$17.30
</td></tr><tr><td>March 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>35
</td><td>322
</td><td>$23.38
</td></tr><tr><td>April 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>37
</td><td>364
</td><td>$26.02
</td></tr><tr><td>May 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>26
</td><td>275
</td><td>$23.22
</td></tr><tr><td>June 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>22
</td><td>343
</td><td>$23.64
</td></tr><tr><td>July 2013
</td><td>7
</td><td>15
</td><td>340
</td><td>$23.61
</td></tr><tr><th>Totals
</th><th>71
</th><th>740
</th><th>6,068
</th><th>$452.54
</th></tr></tbody></table><h3>Vampire Power
</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16IQDDua5pE/UhZcnklaXJI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ouEA0IJ0uwI/s1600/5x06-Vampires-in-Venice-doctor-who-12264477-1248-704+small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16IQDDua5pE/UhZcnklaXJI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ouEA0IJ0uwI/s1600/5x06-Vampires-in-Venice-doctor-who-12264477-1248-704+small.png" /></a></div><p>On 30 October 2012 I finally became a member of the <a href="http://www.theevproject.com/">EV Project</a>. My good friend and absolute favorite elecrician, <a href="http://www.ryanelec.com/">Sean Ryan</a>, came out that day to add a second circut to my sub panel and install the free <a href="http://www.blinknetwork.com/">Blink</a> charger from <a href="http://www.ecotality.com/">ECOTality</a>. Obviously I'm biased but not a better electrician could I ever recommend, so thank you Sean!
</p><p>Now the Blink unit is a great charger, apart from perhaps a <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/2013/08/13/ecotality-may-file-bankruptcy-given-troubles-with-doe-funds/">overly flimsy connector</a>. With it, I can schedule a charge on the EVSE and leave the LEAF set to always charge when plugged in. And I can schedule the EVSE timer remotely so if I need to make a change I don't have to walk down to the car, turn it on and fiddle with the timers. The only problem is the LEAF doesn't realize it's plugged in and then sends me pedantic and eroneous text messages to tell me to do so; so bad is this that when I do forget to plug in I neglect the message because more often than not it's in error. When I get up the next morning, let's just say the shock and horror on my face would make you think I was in the scariest movie possible.
<p></p>Of course the disadvantage of being able to schedule a charge remotely is that the Blink EVSE is always on. In itself this isn't a problem but the unit is even on during Peak Time-of-Use rates. As you can see in <a href="#ArlingtonWeeklyTable2">Table 2</a>, since the install I've consistently had to pay about a dollar a month to cover the cost of the EVSE's daytime power. Since this is power I'm not actually taking advantage of, it's called <em>Vampire Power</em>, indicating that it's power being sucked out of my wall in order to feed a hungry device.
</p><p>Interestingly, last week I plugged in <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span> to find my Blink unit in a constant rebooting loop. I called ECOTality to let them know about the issue and since then I've been using my Clipper Creek CS-100 again, so at least the Vampire Power should be low next month. But now that I'm back on the car's timer, I need to be extra cautious to press the charge timer disable button when I want to charge at a public EVSE.
</p><h3>One year, 19,000 mi (31,000 km)
</h3><p>On 2 November 2012, <span style="color:run">CO2 Fre</span> celebrated her first birthday! <span style="color:red">🎂</span> For that entire year, apart from a fortnight spent visiting the <a href="http://http://www.visitcardiff.com/">favourite landing spot</a> of the <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TARDIS">TARDIS</a>, the <a href="http://http://www.visitliverpool.com/">birthplace</a> of <a href="http://http://www.thebeatles.com/">the Beatles</a> and <a href="http://http://www.inverness-scotland.com/">home</a> of <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster">Nessie</a>—for the first time in my life I got to watch <a href="http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0">Doctor Who</a> live: <a href="http://http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402301/">Asylum of the Daleks</a> and <a href="http://http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2317659/">Dinosaurs… On a Spaceship</a>!
</p><a href="http://cdn3.whatculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/doctor-who-peter-capaldi.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://cdn3.whatculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/doctor-who-peter-capaldi.png" width="400" height="200" /></a><blockquote><p>Yes, this author is a huge Doctor Who fan and runs a <a href="http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/novadwvs/">mailing list</a>, a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/221016661263722/">facebook group</a> and a <a href="http://www.meetup.com/drwho-113/">meetup site</a> dedicated to it. Let it not be said I'm <em>only</em> interested in Electric Cars and I'm well aware and have been psyched about the <a href="http://www.doctorwho.tv/50-years/">fiftieth anniversary</a> special, and have been since around the twenty-fifth and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0562877/">Silver Nemesis</a>! And for the record, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134922">Peter Capaldi</a> is going to be the <strong>best Doctor ever</strong>. All that said, my heart will now and forever still be with <a href="http://blog.project-kronosphere.timehorse.com/">Project Kronosphere</a>.
</p></blockquote><p>In any case, since my first 19,000 mi (31,000 km), I've added another 15,000 mi (24,000 km) for a total of over 34,000 mi (55,000 km). And of course 19,000 mi (31,000 km) divided by 12 months comes to about 1,500 mi (2,400 km) per month of average driving, which is where my favorite statistic derives its other value.
</p><h2><a name="ArlingtonWeeklyGaff"></a>$25 a month for 12 months does <em>not</em> equal <cite>near $200</cite>
</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://oshyn.com/blogResources/AlexandraBarcelona/Fail%20Stamp_175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://oshyn.com/blogResources/AlexandraBarcelona/Fail%20Stamp_175.jpg" /></a></div><p>Folks, this is a round-about way of getting to a correction I wanted to make in my broadcast interview. I somewhat erroneously stated my annual electric cost was <cite>near $200</cite>. Clearly $25 × 12 months is $300, not $200. But then, as you can see from <a href="#ArlingtonWeeklyTable2">Table 2</a>, I actually pay a little less than $25 per month, and thus less per year, which is why I was thinking about $200. In fact, if you sum the last 12 rows of the table, you get an exact cost of $261.21, closer to $300 than $200, to be sure, but then that's what I meant by near, as long as near classifies about 31%. ☺
</p><h3>$261.21 doesn't equal $486.66
</h3><p>Back in October of 2011 I estimated my annual cost to run <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span> would be <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2011/10/dominion-virginia-power-ev-rates.html#domtourates3_S1TOTAL">$486.66</a>. As you can see above, however, it's turning out to be substantially less than that. Part of the discrepancy stems from not taking into account vacations like my UK trip or <span style="color:red">CO2 Fre</span>'s stint in the <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/D.C.%20Auto%20Show">D.C. Auto Show</a> earlier this year. Falling Electric Fuel costs have also contributed, but the main effect is that I just drive less in my EV than I did in my old ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Vehicle. I do probably drive just as much or even more around town with my LEAF, but when you cut out the odd trip to <a href="http://www.nycgo.com/">New York</a> or <a href="http://www.ashevillenc.gov/">Asheville, NC</a>, you cut out a lot of the miles I used to drive in my old car. Those kind of trips are just too impractical in my LEAF. I could, to be sure, probably make it to <a href="http://www.cityofrehoboth.com/">Rehoboth Beach</a>, all be it with about a 5 hour layover on the way, maybe 2, but the number of 5 hours stopovers to get to New York are just not practical. Maybe with more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHAdeMO">CHAdeMO</a>, this'd be different—and thanks to <a href="https://www.evgonetwork.com/">eVgo</a> more CHAdeMO is coming to the area, and quickly—but for now, my range is about 70 mi (113 km) one-way from my home for any comfortable day trip. But even then, I'd not be charging at home so those costs wouldn't be reflected in my Dominion data.
</p><h3>Conclusion
</h3><p>I just hope even if you can't see my segment on the Arlington Weekly News that everyone, whether you have an EV or not, try to make one of this year's <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2013/08/international-plug-in-day-bring-out.html">International Plug-In Day events</a>! This is your Northern Virginia PiD Captain, signing out—take care and let those electrons roll!
</p><!---TODO: 19,000 mi per year; 12 * $25 != near $200; $450 vs. $250? --->
<!--- TODO: Post about RelayRides; want to rent my LEAF? --->TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-16322389897172088302013-08-15T15:24:00.000-04:002013-08-28T15:39:18.864-04:00International Plug-In Day! Bring out your Plugs!<p>Generous readers, I'm happy to announce it's that time of year again! Time to show your friends, neighbors and general passers by our shared love for Electric Vehicles. Yes, it's <strong><a href="http://pluginday.org/">International Plug-In Day</a></strong>, the day we all go out and display our love for cars powered by the ubiquitous plug.
</p><p>This year, Plug-In Day is a two day event, and here in the greater Washington, D.C. area, we're taking it to the neighborhoods! So mark your calendars, 28 September 2013!
</p><iframe width="410" height="410" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=213415162944633282577.0004e3feef65aaf092331&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.074644,-76.821899&spn=1.705772,2.191772&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=213415162944633282577.0004e3feef65aaf092331&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.074644,-76.821899&spn=1.705772,2.191772&z=8&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Plug In Day 2013</a> in a larger map</small></p><p>Because we have 2 days of events, we've decided to have regional events on Saturday and one huge event in downtown DC on Sunday. We hope everyone can show their support at their local Saturday event and then everyone come down to Washington for the regional event Sunday on the steps of the <a href="http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/">U.S. Capital</a>.
</p><h3>Saturday, 28 September 2013, 10:00–14:00: Herndon, VA
</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/393x295/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/7afee51ec6158f507a7e8ac785ddee9a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/393x295/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/7afee51ec6158f507a7e8ac785ddee9a" /></a></div><p>Hello from your <a href="http://pluginday.org/event.php?eventid=57">Herndon Event</a> team captain! As the organizer of this event, I hope it to be the biggest of all the regional events. This is the only gathering scheduled for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Virginia">Northern Virginia</a>. As such, I hope folks from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_County,_Virginia">Arlington</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria,_Virginia">Alexandria</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudoun_County,_Virginia">Loudoun</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William_County,_Virginia">Prince William</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manassas,_Virginia">Manassas</a> and even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_County,_Virginia">Stafford</a> Counties and Cities can make it out to western <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfax_County,_Virginia">Fairfax</a> to join us in sharing our love for EVs. Come and commiserate over our failed attempt for <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2013/01/open-letter-eliminating-gasoline-tax.html">equal taxation regardless of propultion</a> and the $64 tax we now have to pay for as both hybrid and electric vehicle owners. We're planning to have <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/">LEAFs</a>, <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html">Volts</a> and <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/models">Tesla Model S</a> a plenty to show, as well as all kinds of electric vehicles. Learn about <a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/">Dominion Virginia Power</a>'s <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/Time-Of-Use">Time-of-Use Rate Schedules</a> and the <a href="https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/rates-and-tariffs/pdf/varidg.pdf">Green Option</a> for energy credits. And teach folks about the around 50% <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/Car%20Tax">Personal Property Tax</a> discount for Electric Vehicles in Arlington, Prince William and Loudoun Counties. (Sorry fellow Farfaxians, we still have to pay full price for our tax in our unprogressive county.)
</p><h3>Saturday, 28 September 2013, 10:00–14:00: Waldorf, MD
</h3><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p206x206/150284_10151226673899654_947980758_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p206x206/150284_10151226673899654_947980758_n.jpg" /></a></div>Overall <a href="http://pluginday.org/event.php?eventid=4">Waldorf event</a> organizer and my friend Mark Czajka from <a href="http://www.mdvolt.org/">MDVolt</a> (the current source for <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/LEAF%20Meetup">LEAF Meetup</a> events). Ironcially, Mark doesn't own a Volt—he has a <a href="http://www.ford.com/cars/fusion/trim/titaniumenergi/">Ford Fusion Energi</a>—but is an amazing event organizer and without him this year's Plug In Day wouldn't be nearly as amazing as it's turning out to be. The MOMs in Waldorf is in a beautiful, new building and will be an amazing place to discuss all the exciting things going on for EVs in Southern Maryland. This is a must-see event for anyone in the area, I guarantee.
</p><h3>Saturday, 28 September 2013, 10:00–14:00: College Park, MD
</h3><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/2149_49094144653_6883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/2149_49094144653_6883_n.jpg" width="400" height="238"/></a></div>The <a href="http://pluginday.org/event.php?eventid=6">College Park event</a> in suburban Maryland, just on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., is at one of my favourite MOM's Organic Markets, being about half-way between work and the normal <a href="http://www.evadc.org/">EVA/DC</a> meeting in <a href="http://www.silverspringcenter.com/">Silver Spring, MD</a>. Word of warning that the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment) stations at this location, two out-of-the-way units around the left side of the building, are often either broken or occupied by a completely occupied by an often full electric vehicle. However, anyone needing a charge just contact my friend and Team Captain Lanny Hartmann who will help you find a unit that's available and working as well as work to make sure these units are function come Plug-In Day and beyond.
</p><h3>Saturday, 28 September 2013, 10:00–14:00: Timonium, MD and Baltimore
</h3><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/400x286/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/216bdc8ef12794290b9f900bbde09043" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/400x286/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/216bdc8ef12794290b9f900bbde09043" /></a></div>The <a href="http://pluginday.org/event.php?eventid=7">Timonium event</a> is our closest planned event in the greater <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore">Baltimore</a> Suburbs. Located in Central Maryland, the event is just north of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_695_(Maryland)">Baltimore Beltway</a> and just off of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_83">I85</a>. As such, I've never personally been there since getting my LEAF, which was before MOM's in Timonium opened. However, my friend Barry Larkin is hosting this event and I've every confidence he's going to do an amazing job so please show your support Baltimore and bring out your EVs!
</p><h3>Sunday, 29 September 2013, 10:00–16:00: Washington, D.C.
</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/USCapitol.jpg/220px-USCapitol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/USCapitol.jpg/220px-USCapitol.jpg" /></a></div><p>For the <a href="http://pluginday.org/event.php?eventid=34">regional Sunday event</a>, we're extremely fortunate to be getting permission to have our display right in front of the U.S. Capital building, on Third Street SW, in front of the Reflecting Pool and near the <a href="http://www.usbg.gov/">US Botanical Gardens</a>. This is thanks in no small part to the work of Maryland's Senior Senator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Mikulski">Barbara Mulkulski</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(United_States)">D</a>). This website would therefore like to express their personal thanks to Senator Mulkulski. We're working on sixty spots to display our EVs so that visitors to the Capital can see just how affordable, obtainable and ubiquitous Electric Cars have finally become!
</p><h3>Everyone Welcome
</h3><p>At each event, we hope to have opportunities to test drive our electric cars including, in Herndon and Washington, <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/search/label/CO2%20Fre"><span style="color:#ff0000">CO2Fre</span></a>, yours truly's very own Nissan LEAF. So come one, come all, see how easy it is to plug in your car at the 2013 International Plug-In Day events! And if you'd like to show off your car, just click on the link at the start of each event to register with the <a href="http://pluginday.org/">Plug-In Website</a>. Hope to see you there, and thank you!</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0National Plug-In Day, 28 September 201338.970121716887114 -77.37554042531741138.968578716887116 -77.378061925317411 38.971664716887112 -77.37301892531741tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-64866527941728809802013-01-24T13:13:00.000-05:002013-01-24T13:13:16.342-05:00Changes for a Better EV Life: Trickling Gasoline<h3>What would you do if every gas station in your area was limited to dispensing gasoline at only half a fluid ounce of fuel per minute?
</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pF11Vz9eWyU/UQFypD08K3I/AAAAAAAABFw/IWRWtyOXGGs/s1600/14921085-image-of-a-gas-pump-with-a-drop-of-fuel-isolated-on-a-white-background.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em; border=0"><img border="0" height="168" width="168" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pF11Vz9eWyU/UQFypD08K3I/AAAAAAAABFw/IWRWtyOXGGs/s400/14921085-image-of-a-gas-pump-with-a-drop-of-fuel-isolated-on-a-white-background.png" /></a>
</div><p>As ridiculous as that sounds, that's what the average charge time for a <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index">Nissan LEAF</a> or <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html">Chevy Volt</a> is when compared to a <a href="http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/">Toyota Prius</a>. The math is simple when you consider the Prius may be getting 50 mpg or more (I got up to 66.6 mpg when I rented one while <font style="color: red">CO2 Fre</font> was being repaired a couple weeks ago). Compare that to about 4.0 <sup>mi</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub> in the average LEAF or Volt during Winter when our batteries are straining to keep their capacity. When you consider LEAF and Volt both fuel at about 3.3 kW it's clear that 4.0 <sup>mi</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>×3.3 kW is 13.3 miles per hour of charging.
</p><p>Now, if that same 50 mpg Prius was fueling at a rate of 13.3 miles per hour, or 0.222 miles per minute, with each 50 miles representing one gallon of fuel, then 50 miles would take 50 mi÷0.222 mi per minute or 225 minutes (3¾ hours) to fill just a single gallon! Since there are 128 fluid ounces in an American Gallon, dividing 225 by 128 gives 1.758 minutes for each ounce or the reciprocal 0.5688 ounces per minute.
</p><p>And a 30 mpg car wouldn't fuel much faster (the more fuel efficient a car the less gasoline it needs per mile and thus the less time required to fill up enough to go that mile). If we replace 30 mpg in the above equations we get:
</p><blockquote><p>(4.0 <sup>mi</sup>⁄<sub>kWh</sub>)×3.3 kW÷(30 mpg) = 0.9387 oz per minute.
</p></blockquote><p>And that's with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_1,_2,_and_3_charging#US_Charging_Standards">Level 2</a> charging station; at a standard, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_1,_2,_and_3_charging#US_Charging_Standards">Level 1</a>, US <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5">NEMA 5-15</a> wall outlet, 1.44 kW, the fueling rate diminishes to a mere 0.2458 oz per minute for the Prius or 0.4096 oz per minute for the 30 mpg <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine">Internal Combustion Engine</a> vehicle.
</p><h3>Don't wait for your fuel, multitask!
</h3><p>If cars really took that long to fuel, no-one would question the EV Driver paradigm of park-and-fuel. No-one wants to spend an hour to go just 10 or so miles. Most cars sit for hours doing nothing, when they could be fueling. Consider instead of going out of your way to get that ¼oz of fuel for every minute you wait when you'd much rather simply go where you need to go and trickle in your fuel while you're off doing other things, wouldn't you?
</p><p>Many will read this and say that's why electric cars will never be practical. But you miss the point. Now you're imagining a small, fuel pump at every parking spot dribbling in fuel while you're at work, shopping, catching a movie, whatever. Of course such slow gasoline dispensers don't exist. But that's not true for an EV. Remember, there are over 12,000,000 NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 electric plugs throughout the United States—there're only about 30,000 gasoline stations by comparison. An electric car can trickle in fuel at any one of these outlets so park-and-fuel isn't just a pipe-dream, it's actually quite practical, and very inexpensive. After all, standard electrical outlets are ubiquitous, not so gasoline pumps.
</p><p>So really the only question is, why are so many places, like job sites and malls and movie houses so reluctant to allow EVs to charge given we can only fuel at less than a fluid ounce per minute equivalent and at only pennies per hour? Sadly, this is chiefly due to misinformation about what it cost to charge an EV and miscommunication that we EV drivers <strong>are</strong> quite willing to pay those costs for the convenience of not idling our EV without multitasking a charge.
</p><p>Allowing this basic, trickle charging access to an EV could mean hours saved trickling that same electricity, waiting, with nothing to do. Because that's not the way EVs are supposed to be driven. Park-and-fuel is all we ask, at whatever price. Please don't waste our time waiting for the pumping of ½ oz of fuel per minute. Thanks.</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-18513625572271316062013-01-09T07:56:00.000-05:002013-01-09T11:39:10.121-05:00Open Letter: Eliminating the Gasoline Tax for the Commonwealth<h2><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/mcdonnell-proposes-eliminating-virginias-gas-tax/2013/01/08/7858ba96-59c8-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story_1.html">McDonnell proposes eliminating Virginia’s gas tax</a>
</h2><p>In a recent <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/">Washington Post</a> article, <a href="http://www.virginia.gov/">Virginia</a> <a href="http://www.governor.virginia.gov/">Governor Robert McDonnell</a> called for an elimination of the 17.5¢ per gallon of fuel <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2011/09/gas-tax.html">Gasoline Tax</a> and an <strong>increase</strong> in the annual registration fees payed by EVs to $100 per year—I personally just paid a little under $400 in registration fees for <font style="color: red">CO2 Fre</font> <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index">Nissan LEAF</a> up through 2015 with a $150 penalty for driving an EV for three more years. While he also proposes a $15 increase in the annual registration fees for traditional cars, he plans to make up the rest of the <a href="http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/general/revenues.asp">Commonwealth Transportation Fund</a>'s decreasing income—due to fuel taxes that are not indexed to inflation—through sales taxes. In effect, what the Governor is asking is for everyone to pay for Virginia's roads but for EVs and other <em>alternative fuel</em> vehicles to pay <em>more</em> on top of a general sales tax.
</p><p>Part of the issue is Governor McDonnell trying to stay true to his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Norquist#Taxpayer_Protection_Pledge">Norquist pledge</a> to never raise taxes and to only derive revenue-neutral income sources. However, a fee is technically not a tax and certainly not based on income so I do feel even if the Norquist pledge is ludicrous that it can be satisfied by moving to a <em>gross weight</em> and <em>miles driven</em> fee assessed at ones <a href="http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm#InspectionProgram">annual safety inspection</a> as a part of road certification. This would in effect bring the fuel tax back in line with its original goal: keeping the Virginia Transportation Fund solvent by assessing fees most harshly on the heaviest vehicles and the vehicles that drive the most, which are just the vehicles that cost the Commonwealth the most in terms of maintenance, repair and infrastructure. I thus submitted this opened letter to the Governor's office last night:
</p><blockquote>
<p>Dear Governor McDonnell,
</p><p>I couldn't agree more with that goal Mr. Governor, but I think you've not provided a logical way to solve the revenue shortfall caused by more hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles on the Commonwealth's roads. Adding an increase to sales tax may have the potential of being revenue neutral but it doesn't balance the cost of repair with those who do the most damage.
</p><p>Basically, from a civil engineering point of view, the main cost to Virginia of cars on our roads is the <em>gross weight</em> of the vehicles and the number of <em>miles driven</em> every year. As such, the <strong>best</strong> way to charge an infrastructure tax is simply to base it on those two variables. And enough of this tying it to registration! <strong><em><font style="font-size:20pt">Do not charge alternative fuel vehicles a more expensive registration surcharge when gasoline fuel cars would end up paying no taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!</font></em></strong> I can't say that strongly enough because again it's about road damage and that's about number of miles driven and the weight of the car. It has <strong>nothing</strong> to do with its means of propulsion! Don't charge any registration penalty on a vehicle just because it doesn't use gasoline, especially if you're going to forsake any revenue you'd be taxing on that gasoline. Don't tax the alternative fuel vehicles something if your going to tax the gasoline cars <strong>nothing</strong>! That's bad for the commonwealth because the alternative fuel vehicles mean, for instance, with electric cars or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane">methane</a> (natural gas) vehicles, that that energy to drive them could be coming right from here in Virginia, very domestic and local energy and not from refineries in <a href="http://www.mississippi.gov/Pages/PortalHome.aspx">Mississippi</a> for oil from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea#Oil_and_gas">North Sea</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela">Venezuela</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>. We need to encourage the money spent on car fuel to stay in Virginia and that's why if anything EVs and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_natural_gas">CNG</a> vehicle should never pay *more* tax than gasoline vehicles and probably should pay less because they help encourage Virginia businesses and create Virginia jobs!!!
</p><p>So again, the best approach is to simply apply a scaled fee as a part of a vehicle's annual safety inspection. At the safety inspection the Commonwealth has all the information it needs to make the correct taxation assessment. The <em>mileage driven</em> in a year is already logged with the <em>Safety Inspection</em> and the <em>Gross Weight</em> is already defined for any original equipment manufactured vehicle and must be registered for any conversion or custom vehicle. Even trucks could be taxed this way based their weight!
</p><p>Please, Mr. Governor, this is how you can balance the Commonwealth's transportation needs. It means the heaver cars, like EV and SUVs, will indeed pay more, but the Prius will pay its fair share too because it's about weight, not how fuel efficient you are because the roads don't care about fuel efficiency. They just care about <em>Weight and Miles</em>.
</p><p>Thank you!
</p><p>Sincerely,
</p><p>Jeffrey C. Jacobs</p></blockquote>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-786861625138152312013-01-03T13:29:00.000-05:002015-03-11T12:56:45.604-04:00Open Letter: Electric Cars are not another Hybrid<blockquote><p>Dear Senator Favola,
</p><p>I drive an electric vehicle. And Senator, I know what I'm about to say
has fallen on so many deaf ears and it's not exactly the focus you've
made as my duly elected representative, but please hear me out.
</p><p>An electric car is most assuredly not a hybrid car. 12 years ago, when
the Toyota Prius first came to America, this car was seen as expensive,
barely tested domestically and were only available in a limited number
of major dealer showrooms. Now, the Prius is Consumer Report's pick for
the best-valued car available, millions of miles have been driven in
this car and other hybrids alike and you can pretty much walk into any
dealer showroom and pick up a hybrid car of your very own. That was
yesterday's revolution and for taking that risk the Commonwealth awarded
the privilege of Single-Occupancy access to Virginia's HOV lanes.
Apparently for life. What a wonderful reward!
</p><p>But now hybrid cars are ubiquitous, and people have no concerns about
buying one. There are millions of hybrids on the roads today. Do they
really need an HOV subsidy on top of all this?
</p><p>Over ten years of unequivocal, single-occupancy access to Virginia's HOV
lanes is quite a benefit for a risk of that nature.
</p><p>But an electric car is not a hybrid car. Today, electric cars are
expensive, barely tested domestically and are only available in a
limited number of major dealer showrooms. In short, electric cars are
today where hybrid cars were 12 years ago. Indeed, with all the
sacrifices of distances practically obtainable and slow-to-arrive
infrastructure, electric vehicle drivers are even more handicapped than
hybrid vehicle drivers ever were! And yet as far as the Commonwealth is
concerned, an electric car is just another hybrid car. No, it's worse
than that, the electric car is seen as the millionth hybrid car, meaning
it can't access I95 or I395 HOV, it can't even access I66 HOV with
single-occupancy. In effect, we're telling the people of places like
Springfield and Arlington to please enjoy the reduced emissions of some
hybrid vehicles but no, we don't want any zero-emission vehicles coming
through your regions on your major highways. We want you to be polluted
with yesterday's technology.
</p><p>Why does the Commonwealth not give the same benefit enjoyed by thousands
of hybrid risk-takers, who've already had their day and then some, to
those of us even bigger risk takers driving an electric vehicle? Is
that too much to ask? Does it even seem fair to deny electric vehicles
those rights enjoyed by hybrid cars just because they came later, as
newer, better, revolutionary technology always does?
</p><p>I hope now you can understand why I'm so saddened by the current state
of affairs. But I'm a pragmatist so I would like to ask you to make a
motion in the Virginia Senate of the following nature:
</p><ol class="arabic"><li><p class="first">Enact a law which would issue a series of low-emission, adhesive
stickers which are affixed to the rear of a qualified vehicle at a
cost to the driver of approximately $25 per year.
</p></li><li><p class="first">These stickers would only be authorized for cars which are plug-in
electric or battery electric vehicles. This non-exclusive list
includes:
</p><blockquote><ul class="simple"><li>2013 Chevrolet Volt 1.4L
</li><li>2013 Ford C-Max 2.0L Energi (<em>not</em> the Hybrid)
</li><li>2013 Ford Focus Electric<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id1">[1]</a>
</li><li>2013 Nissan LEAF<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id2">[1]</a>
</li><li>2013 Toyota Prius 1.8L plug-in
</li><li>2013 Tesla Model S<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id3">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Chevrolet Volt 1.4L
</li><li>2012 Fisker Karma 2.0L
</li><li>2012 Ford Focus Electric<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id4">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Mitsubishi iMiev<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id5">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Nissan Leaf<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id6">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Tesla Roadster<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id7">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Th!nk City<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id8">[1]</a>
</li><li>2012 Toyota Prius 1.8L plug-in
</li><li>2011 Chevrolet Volt 1.4L
</li><li>2011 Nissan LEAF<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id9">[1]</a>
</li><li>2011 Tesla Roadster<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id10">[1]</a>
</li><li>2010 Tesla Roadster<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id11">[1]</a>
</li><li>2009 Tesla Roadster<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id12">[1]</a>
</li><li>2008 Tesla Roadster<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id14" id="id13">[1]</a>
</li></ul></blockquote></li></ol><table class="docutils footnote" frame="void" id="id14" rules="none">
<colgroup><col class="label" /><col /></colgroup>
<tbody valign="top">
<tr><td class="label">[1]</td><td><em>(<a class="fn-backref" href="#id1">1</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id2">2</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id3">3</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id4">4</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id5">5</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id6">6</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id7">7</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id8">8</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id9">9</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id10">10</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id11">11</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id12">12</a>, <a class="fn-backref" href="#id13">13</a>)</em> Battery electric, meaning no tail pipe emissions.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ol class="arabic" start="3">
<li><p class="first">On 1 July 2013, amend Virginia Code § 46.2-749.3 to disallow the
transfer of Clean Fuel plates to another, newer vehicle if the
vehicle being transferred from is one in the following list:
</p><blockquote>
<ul class="simple">
<li>2005 Ford Escape</li>
<li>2005 Honda Civic</li>
<li>2005 Honda Insight</li>
<li>2005 Toyota Prius</li>
<li>2004 Honda Civic</li>
<li>2004 Honda Insight</li>
<li>2004 Toyota Prius</li>
<li>2003 Honda Civic (and earlier)</li>
<li>2003 Honda Insight (and earlier)</li>
<li>2003 Toyota Prius (earlier)</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>These drivers will however have the option to purchase one of the
cars in item 2 and obtain a low emissions sticker for that vehicle.
</p></li>
<li><p class="first">On 1 July 2013, amend Virginia Code § 46.2-749.3 to cease Clean Fuel
plate registrations for the list of cars specified in item 3.
</p><p>Thus anyone whose term for re-registration for any of these cars
occurring after 1 July 2013 will be required to purchase a new plate
without the Clean Fuel logo, and all HOV access will be rescinded for
that particular vehicle.
</p></li>
<li><p class="first">On 1 July 2013, allow all cars with the appropriate Low Emission
sticker access to all of Virginia's HOV lanes as single-occupancy.
Let part of the revenue generated from the adhesive go to the
Virginia State Police fund for identifying vehicles qualified for
single occupancy in an HOV lane.
</p></li>
<li><p class="first">In subsequent years, phase out the rest of the clean fuel plates
starting with the 2006 series, each year until Virginia Code §
46.2-749.3 is expired due to attrition and be replaces with the
adhesive sticker system.
</p></li>
<li><p class="first">Negotiate with Annapolis to come to a cooperative agreement whereby
any vehicle with Maryland plates and the equivalent electric vehicle
sticker is allowed the same rights as a Virginian in Virginia with
the low emission sticker and that likewise Low-Emission be respected
in Maryland for single-occupancy HOV access.<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id16" id="id15">[2]</a>
</p></li>
</ol>
<table class="docutils footnote" frame="void" id="id16" rules="none">
<colgroup><col class="label" /><col /></colgroup>
<tbody valign="top">
<tr><td class="label"><a class="fn-backref" href="#id15">[2]</a></td><td>As most of Virginia's HOV lanes are near the border with
Maryland, this would be of keen benefit to most who would be
effected by this law.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ol class="arabic simple" start="8">
<li>Annual engineering analyses shall be performed each year to determine
if any of Virginia's HOV lanes are operating at a capacity no worse
than the normal traffic lanes. If the result be that the HOV lanes
are near capacity, a second generation of stickers shall be issued
which remove access to the most used HOV corridors.<a class="footnote-reference" href="#id18" id="id17">[3]</a></li>
</ol>
<table class="docutils footnote" frame="void" id="id18" rules="none">
<colgroup><col class="label" /><col /></colgroup>
<tbody valign="top">
<tr><td class="label"><a class="fn-backref" href="#id17">[3]</a></td><td>Similar to what happened in 2006.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>I believe this progression to be fair as it doesn't take away access for
older hybrids right away and provides everyone with a way to be cleaner
and allows an out for anyone who already upgraded since at least they're
driving a cleaner hybrid rather than the dirtiest of hybrids from 2005
and earlier. Engineering studies would need to be performed to make
sure that the elimination of the older, clean fuel cars would make
enough way for the Electric cars but if not perhaps in 1 July 2013 we
could just give equivalent access to tier 3 clean fuel until such time
that enough of the hybrid cars were retired to leave room for the
electric vehicle.
</p><p>In any case, thank you for reading and I sincerely hope you'll consider
this in the upcoming General Assembly term.
</p><p>Sincerely,
</p><p>Jeffrey C. Jacobs</p></blockquote>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-65585134152202904462013-01-01T20:09:00.000-05:002013-01-10T17:34:07.716-05:00The Washington D.C. SOC Meter Built-It Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0q9BQPiQpw/UOSQf9UACdI/AAAAAAAABFM/uHN3Ba_ymzU/s1600/GaryG-SOC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="211" width="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0q9BQPiQpw/UOSQf9UACdI/AAAAAAAABFM/uHN3Ba_ymzU/s400/GaryG-SOC.png" /></a>
</div><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGtnMkxRWGtWd2NNQVhZR3FocV9Damc6MQ" width="420" height="2050" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...
</iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJYic0VIq4U/UOSQ7S7QisI/AAAAAAAABFY/F_aRKDbwErI/s1600/GaryG-SOC2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="234" width="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJYic0VIq4U/UOSQ7S7QisI/AAAAAAAABFY/F_aRKDbwErI/s400/GaryG-SOC2.png" /></a>
</div><p>The parts list is derived from <a href="http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=104667#p104667">this</a> <a href="http://www.mynissanleaf.com/">MyNissanLEAF</a> post and the tentative sources for each part is as follow:
</p><ul><li>7-Segment Display
<ul><li><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11443">Yellow Yellow - COM-11443</a>
</li><li><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11442">Blue - COM-11442</a>
</li><li><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11441">Red - COM-11441</a>
</li><li><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11440">Kelly Green - COM-11440</a> (And to again quoting garygid himself, "not recommended")
</li></ul></li><li>Development Board <a href="http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=hO3QYTFrOd1ERqsBx8VTcQ%3D%3D">Mouser Part Number: 909-AVR-CAN</a>
</li><li>Project Box
<ul><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MB-132/ABS-PROJECT-BOX-3.97-X-2.12-X-1.72/1.html">All Electronics Cat# MB-132</a> (Black, cheapest and smallest)
</li><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/1591-CTBU/4.7-X-2.6-X-1.6-BLUE-TRANSLUCENT-CASE/1.html">All Electronics Cat# 1591-CTBU</a> (Wider and Blue Translucent)
</li><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/1598-ASGY/GREY-PROJECT-BOX-6.1-X-3.65-X-1.36/1.html">All Electronics Cat# 1598-ASGY</a> (Largest enclosure, but narrow!)
</li></ul></li><li>OBD Cable
<ul><li><a href="http://www.obd2cables.com/products/cable-j1962m-right-angle-to-open-6ft.html">OBD2cables Part number: 142601</a> (6-foot)
</li><li><a href="http://www.obd2cables.com/products/cable-j1962m-right-angle-to-open-9ft.html">OBD2cables Part number: 142602</a> (9-foot)
</li><li><a href="http://www.obd2cables.com/products/cable-j1962m-ra-type-b-to-open-end-6ft.html">Type B, OBD2cables PN 144507</a> (6-foot)
</li></ul></li><li>Toggle Switches
<ul><li>On-Off-On SPDT mini toggle switch <a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MTS-5/SPDT-ON-OFF-ON-MINI-TOGGLE-SWITCH/1.html">All Electronics Cat# MTS-5</a>
</li><li>DPDT mini toggle switch <a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MTS-12/DPDT-ON-OFF-ON-MINI-TOGGLE/1.html">All Electronics Cat# MTS-12</a>
</li></ul></li><li>Pushbutton Switches
<ul><li><a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062539">Radio Shack 275-1547</a> (Two Red, Two Black, so split between 2 people)
</li><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MPB-1B/SPST-MOMENTARY-N.O.-BLACK-PUSHBUTTON/1.html">All Electronics Cat# MPB-1B (Black cap)</a> (One)
</li><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MPB-1/SPST-MOMENTARY-N.O.-RED-PUSHBUTTON/1.html">All Electronics Cat# MPB-1 (Red cap)</a> (One)
</li></ul></li><li>Zener Diode: <a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/1N4733/5.1V-1-WATT-ZENER-DIODE/1.html">All Electronics Cat# 1N4733</a> (Five units split between 5 people)
</li><li><a href="http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DB-9S/D-SUB-CONNECTOR-9-PIN-FEMALE/1.html">All Electronics Cat# DB-9S</a> D-Sub 9-pin connector, Female (RS-232)
</li><li>Connector Blocks
<ul><li><a href="http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1905">1×6 Connector Shell</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1912">2×4 Connector Shell</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1800">Wires with Female Pins</a>
</li></ul></li></ul>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-43422677251488956232012-12-31T10:32:00.001-05:002012-12-31T10:32:36.961-05:00EV Taxicabs failure can be blamed chiefly on one, corrupt politician<p>In a <a href="http://www.sungazette.net/arlington/commentary/garvey-deserves-praise-for-standing-up-on-conflict-of-interest/article_54ac5494-4f4c-11e2-a76b-0019bb2963f4.html">recent article</a> in the <a href="http://www.sungazette.net/">Sun-Gazette</a>, <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/">Arlington</a> <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/CountyBoardMain.aspx">Board of Supervisors</a> member <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyBoard/BoardMembers/GarveyLibby/Libby%20Garvey%20bio.aspx">Libby Garvey</a> was praised for standing up to Supervisor
<a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/members/CountyBoardMeetingsMembersChristopherZimmerman.aspx">Christopher Zimmerman</a> in a case of clear conflict of interest. Having closely followed the proceedings which led to the <a href="http://arlington-va.patch.com/articles/arlington-board-puts-brakes-on-all-electric-taxi-fleet">denial</a> of <a href="http://www.evtaxicabs.com/">EV Taxicabs</a> bid to win a licence to operate in Arlington by a vote of 2 to 3, I would lay more blame on Mr. Zimmerman than any other county Board member for this fiasco in county political history. Zimmerman was EV Taxicab's chief opponent with a naïve, prejudged opinion, which derived from a failure to even read a line of supporting documentation, leading to his inane decision to fail to support and argue against <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/members/CountyBoardMeetingsMembersJayFisette.aspx">Jay Fisette</a>'s and Garvey's seconded motion. The proposal was to support EV Taxicabs bid for merely 40 new cabs, less than 5% of the overall fleet, in exchange for free infrastructure that the citizens of Arlington could all benefit from at liberty. The equipment EV Taxicabs would have been providing would all have been installed without any taxpayer money being spent, and where Arlington Businesses could have taken advantage by luring in folks like me who drive an Electric Car and would therefore have an excuse to visit the county, as I've <a href="http://aecn.timehorse.com/2012/11/open-letter-to-arlington-county-board.html">written about before</a>. There's a reason the <a href="http://www.evadc.org">EVA/DC</a> didn't consider meeting in Arlington in 2013 for any of it's monthly meetings and that's more than anything thanks to Mr. Zimmerman's myopic view toward Arlington's better future and financial benefit. So shame on Mr. Zimmerman for failing to take advantage of one of the best deals in County history and thank you to Ms. Garvey for standing behind Mr. Fisette in supporting it.
</p><p>Incoming chair <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/members/CountyBoardMeetingsMembersJWalterTejada.aspx">J. Walter Tejeda</a>, please be advised I know you're trying to keep an opened mind on this whole EV thing so please keep learning because I know eventually with enough knowledge you'll be on our side, standing with Jay Fisette and Libby Garvey against the FUD of Mr. Zimmerman and <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyBoard/BoardMembers/HynesMary/page60021.aspx">Mary Hynes</a>. That's why I'd encourage Arlington voters to cease their support for the politician who works against their common interest. Christopher Zimmerman must go!
</p><p>Please note the opinions expressed in this article are purely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of any Arlington County Board members, the EVA/DC or EV Taxicabs except where explicitly noted.</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-32731296146568097922012-11-26T17:36:00.000-05:002012-12-31T10:34:01.344-05:00Open Letter to the Arlington County Board of Supervisors<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B609mreMJys/ULO8j4mnyBI/AAAAAAAABEo/53aridH63UA/s400/EVTaxicabs.png"><p>Tuesday, 27 November 2012, at around 18:15, the <a href="http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/CountyBoardMain.aspx">Arlington County Board of Supervisors</a> plans to hear final comments on <a href="http://evtaxicabs.com/">EV Taxicabs</a>' proposal to add 40 100% electric <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index">Nissan LEAF</a>s to the to the fleet of vehicles certified to operate in the County before a final vote planned for later that evening.
</p><address>#1 Courthouse Plaza</br>
2100 Clarendon Boulevard</br>
Room 307</br>
Arlington, VA</address><p>This is my open letter to the County:
</p><blockquote><h3>Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board,
</h3><p>I address you today as an Electric Car driver with over a year experience with what an area EV driver can expect in terms of mileage and usage in our Northern Virginia climate. You see, I live in Herndon, Virginia, quite near to Dulles airport—I often hear the planes overhead at my house—and generally drive at least 70 miles a day between home and work with no chance to charge my car in between. In fact, I come to you today having driven from my home this morning to my job in Southeast D.C. and here thereafter with not a single opportunity to supplement my car's energy. But I'm not worried about getting home because I drive the same car, a Nissan LEAF, which EV Taxicabs is planning to roll out in its bid to the Board. If I could make it from my home near Dulles Airport to a point <em>farther</em> than Arlington County and back again on a daily basis, at mostly highway speeds, in rain or shine, under all weather conditions, and still have enough juice in my ride to go another 10 miles, I can guarantee EV Taxicabs can handle any average fare to the airport and still make it back with miles to spare. And for the record, I've never run out of fuel and I've never heard of <em>any</em> EV driver who has. We're well prepared for our daily needs and quite knowledgeable about how far we can go and where we can stop along the way if need be.
</p><p>As for fast charging using the CHAdeMO standard, which stands for stop and have some tea, this use case has already been well studied by EV Taxicabs and as an independent driver who writes extensively on the benefits and limitations of electric vehicles and the Nissan LEAF I wholeheartedly and unabashedly concur with their proposal. EV Taxicabs has already attested through actual real-world analysis that a typical electric taxi will only need one CHAdeMO or Fast Charge per day. But that said, it's Nissan itself that has said multiple fast recharges of their LEAF in the same day would be okay as long as the battery temperature stayed below a certain threshold. This might be a concern for temperatures like they have in Arizona but in Arlington it doesn't get nearly that hot. And again it's EV Taxicabs', and Nissan, who take all the risk if this be not the case. Nissan is very interested in seeing the results of EV Taxicabs usage, including multiple fast recharges. That's the only real test of a battery's longevity. And Nissan is willing to stand behind this proposal. And as far as where these fast charge stations will be located, EV Taxicabs has already planned that out too. Put them where the drivers can stop and have some tea, metaphorically. But not only will the cab drivers, we ordinary citizens will have access to these stations. And I urge the Board to consider this indirect consequence: drivers like me who might never stop in the county now have an incentive to do so. Now, instead of heading straight back to Fairfax County from work, I have an excuse to stop of in Arlington, buy a tea, coffee, sandwich, book and what have you and then be on my way to some other place rather than home. You free me to travel farther and in return you generate more business in the County. And it would cost the County absolutely nothing. The risk is all EV Taxicabs and even if they fail the County gets to keep whatever CHAdeMO stations they leave behind so we can continue to have our tea in the County.
</p><p>It's clear that somebody has to be first, but this isn't the case for EV Taxis. EV Taxis have had great success in <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/free-nissan-leaf-cab-rides-in-london-promote-electric-vehicles/">London, UK</a>, <a href="http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/us-united-states-nissan-models-leaf/releases/amsterdam-s-taxi-e-takes-zero-emission-push-to-the-streets">Amsterdam, the Netherlands</a>, <a href="http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/ca-canada-nissan-leaf/releases/nissan-leaf-taxis-set-to-electrify-the-toronto-film-festival-with-leaftaxi">Toronto, Ontario Canada</a>, <a href="http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/us-united-states-nissan-models-leaf/releases/47e1ce32-0f14-49a1-9ee2-1883a0690de0">Mexico City, Mexico</a> and <a href="http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1076788_2012-nissan-leaf-becomes-a-taxi-in-sao-paulo-city">Sao Paulo, Brazil</a>. Even <a href="http://www.dailytech.com/NYC+to+Receive+6+Nissan+Leaf+Taxis+in+2012/article23601.htm">New York City</a> is adding EVs to their very tightly controlled Taxi fleet. And surely if cold New York and hot Sao Paulo can handle an electric taxi, Arlington can. It's too late to have the pride of being first, but what EV Taxicabs proposal builds on the successes and failures of those other electric taxi corporations. Their plan is tested and proven and good for the county. And let's not forget this isn't a permanent assignment. If they don't perform to EV Taxicabs expectations in terms of business, those allotments will revert back to the county in good time. It's all EV Taxicabs risk to fail, the county and the county citizens won't have to spend a dime if these cabs don't perform. That's a risk EV Taxicabs is willing to take, and one they and I feel very strongly about its success!
</p><p>And let's not forget the potential tourism it could generate to say Arlington County, Virginia is the place to go to get an Electric cab. If <a href="http://hahn.house.gov/">Congresswoman Janice Hahn</a> or <a href="http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/">Senator Lamar Alexander</a> were here, I'm sure they would agree with me, be they given a choice, that they would rather ride in a Nissan LEAF taxi than any other car. Believe me, those of us who made the switch always feel a bit out of sorts when we're required to ride in a conventional vehicle. That's an advantage EV Taxicabs has. I even spoke with former <a href="http://www.loudoun.gov/">Loudoun County</a> Supervisor <a href="http://stevensrmiller.com/wordpress/">Stephens Miller</a> and he agrees EV cabs would be good for the county. That's the kind of press that gets guest at our Arlington County hotels and restaurants, and not in Bethesda or Silver Spring or Alexandria.
</p><p>As for where a Taxi driver can charge his EV overnight, a quick search of the <a href="http://www.plugshare.com/">Plugshare</a> database shows no less than 26 public charging stations are currently on-line in Arlington County. While it's true that it's sometimes hard to get a dedicated spot for refueling ones EV, many of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vornado_Realty_Trust">Vornado</a> properties do have dedicated charging stations available to their residents and what's more most of those 26 stations won't be occupied at night. For the most part, they're currently used by daily shoppers and commuters who go home in the evening. And please keep in mind the cars EV Taxicabs will be buying will have what's called 6.6kW charging capability, meaning they can go from empty to full in under 3½ hours, or half a night's sleep. Although 26 public level-2 charging stations won't be enough to satisfy all 40 cabs EV Taxicabs is requesting, part of their business plan, as I understand it, will be to ensure that each driver is properly trained and has a location to house his or her vehicle while off duty. This is thanks in large part to their diligent pursuit of contracts with <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/">Nissan Motor Corporation</a> to obtain cars at volume pricing. With that come jobs for local contractors who Nissan and <a href="http://www.avinc.com/">Aerovironment</a> will hire with to install as many level-2 stations as required by EV Taxicabs' drivers. Nissan and Aerovironment have worked with customers from the beginning and will do everything they can to make sure drivers have a place to charge their vehicle at night. After all, this is a demonstration project for them as well, and it behooves them as much as EV Taxicabs to get it right.
</p><p>Finally, I would address that the <a href="http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=105094&view=&showpdf=1">questionable County Transportation Committee recommendation</a>, which I should point out comes without even a Quorum, proposes no less than to give business to those who already have it. Is it no wonder <a href="http://www.envirotaxicab.com/">EnviroCab</a> was recommended the plurality of cab allotments? Are we really going to reward the more business to those that already have it? Are we going to abdicate any possibility of further competition? I would be willing to wager EnviroCab's tests of an EV were flawed because their drivers weren't properly trained. This won't be the case with EV Taxicabs. They plan to have all their drivers undergo a coursework at Nissan HQ for the car they will be driving. I have no doubt these drivers will be as skilled as any of my EV driving colleagues. Keep in mind EV Taxis will cost less to run which will allow the passengers savings and that's the type of competition we need to keep prices down for all fares. I will grant that EnviroCab received a very respectable score of 83 in the <a href="http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=105090&view=&showpdf=1">17 November 2012 Board Meeting notes</a>, Appendix B. Indeed, only one company scored better: EV Taxicabs with a score of 84!
</p><p>It's for these reasons that I urge the Arlington County Board of Supervisors to approve EV Taxicabs bid for an allotment of up to 40 cabs. Their proposal is good for the citizens of the county, good for County Business, good for visitors to the region and good for the County Government's bottom line.
</p><p>Sincerely,
</p><p>Jeffrey C. Jacobs<br/>
Electric Car Driver, Advocate and Writer</p></blockquote>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265250169439156014.post-49740171775222514032012-06-20T15:33:00.000-04:002013-08-20T17:53:31.895-04:00Happy Birthday to MOM's<p align="center"><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/logo_images/6/62BT92G7RBCT8MT7AKG9LHGRJ13JAWXC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="236" src="http://momsorganicmarket.com/logo_images/6/62BT92G7RBCT8MT7AKG9LHGRJ13JAWXC.jpg" /></a></p><p>Yes, <a href="http://www.momsorganicmarket.com">MOM's Organic Market</a> is about to turn 25! The Washington region organic grocery story is an area icon for it's forward-thinking in bringing organic food to the nation's capital.
</p><p>But MOM's is more about organic nutrition; MOM's is also a great area advocate of Electric Cars. After all, MOM's of <a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=111&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">College Park</a> and of <a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=113&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Herndon</a> were some of the first places J1772 EVSEs started showing up in this area. And the newly-reopened <a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=115&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Rockville</a> store, the one where it all began, is also sporting it's own EVSE.
</p><p>To celebrate, MOM's is calling on all Electric Vehicle drivers to show their cars off during the birthday weekend celebration 30 June and 1 July 2012! The list of store locations are as follows:
</p><ul><li><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=110&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Bowie, MD</a>
</li><li>College Park, MD
</li><li><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=112&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Frederick, MD</a>
</li><li><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=114&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Jessup, MD</a>
</li><li>Rockville, MD
</li><li><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=116&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Timonium, MD</a>
</li><li><a href="http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=109&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288">Alexandria, VA</a>
</li><li>Herndon, VA
</li></ul><p>Hope to see you there!</p>TimeHorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947373471247950640noreply@blogger.com2