story by Samantha WittchenFor years, the electric vehicle has been mentioned in hushed tones, believed to be the second coming of sorts for our car-dependent society, a clean-running innovation that would allow us to keep up our driving habit without that messy foreign-oil guilt. Yet electric cars have seemed as mythical as Sasquatch—often spoken of, but rarely, if ever, seen in the wild. That’s about to change for Philadelphians. In October, 16 of these lean, green driving machines will be hitting Philadelphia streets thanks to PhillyCarShare (PCS), the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
The initiative to bring electric cars to Philadelphia began last August when a consortium of organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, PECO, Comcast, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and many major Philadelphia universities came together with PCS to develop a plan for installing infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles throughout the city. The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability was awarded a grant from the PADEP to install 16 chargers for PCS cars, and two more for general use by private owners of electric cars.
The infrastructure installation is expected to be complete in early October. Once it is, the electric vehicles will be ready to go, says Jerry Furgione, PCS executive director. Since this installation is the first of its kind in the region, there may be a few bumps in the process, which could delay the launch until later in October. Regardless, it’s safe to say that Philadelphians can look for the cars this fall.
So, about those cars. Furgione says there are currently two vehicles on the market that would fit their needs—the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. For now, they’re leaning toward the Volt, which is technically a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. This kind of car operates solely on electricity until the battery needs to be recharged, at which point the gasoline engine generates the electricity required to power the electric motor. The Volt’s battery range is about 35 miles, making it an ideal option for PCS drivers, who average 30 miles per trip. The backup fuel tank provides a safety net for drivers who find themselves running that extra unexpected errand that puts them over the 35-mile range.
However, the fuel tank also means these cars aren’t quite as environmentally friendly as a purely electric vehicle, since they still require gas and generate emissions once the battery range is exhausted. The Nissan Leaf—like the forthcoming Ford Focus Electric (due out in California and New York this fall)—is a purely electric vehicle, with no gas engine or fuel tank. The Leaf has an average 100-mile range, but once that range is exhausted, there’s no backup.
The electric motors in these cars are much more energy efficient than a traditional vehicle. An electric motor can convert 75 percent of the chemical energy from batteries to power, whereas an internal combustion engine in a traditional car can only convert 20 percent of the energy in gasoline. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions, and if the cars are charged with electricity generated from renewable sources, they’re completely emissions-free.
The main barrier electric vehicles currently face is lack of infrastructure. Because of their limited range, charging stations need to be available to long-distance drivers, and for the most part, those charging stations just don’t exist yet. In the meantime, most early adopters have to rely on plugging in these cars at home, which can be difficult for city-dwellers who don’t have easy access to an outside plug. Recharge time can also be substantial with a typical 120-volt house plug, with the Nissan Leaf topping out at 20 hours.
With 13,000 members, the addition of electric vehicles to PCS’s fleet presents a tremendous opportunity for PCS to become an ambassador for electric vehicles. Members will be able to try them out and Philadelphians will see them on the street and at the charging stations. Additionally, PECO will be able to study the effects these stations have on the electric grid.
With the recent acquisition of PCS by Enterprise Holdings (of note for Enterprise Rent-A-Car), Furgione says the company now has the financial support to purchase more electric vehicles more quickly, with an eye toward the vehicles comprising one-third of their fleet. This would be one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles on the East Coast. For this initial 16, cars will be placed at the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel and Temple Universities, and the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, with the remaining eight scattered throughout Center City parking lots and garages. So, look out, everyone! This fall, Sasquatch is coming to Philly.
Samantha Wittchen is partner and co-founder of iSpring (ispringassociates.com), a sustainability consulting firm serving companies and organizations in the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.
Does anyone have information on the CLOSED LOOP ENERGY CYCLE for gasoline vs electric vs hydrogen vehicles? This would be import to review before writing statements like "… electricity generated from renewable sources, they’re completely emissions-free."
The amount of electricity Americans use is greater than the output of current renewable sources. Add in our thirst for driving and you have an equation that will promote nuclear and coal power plants to sustain the electric car habit. I find it misleading to promote these vehicles as GREEN. But I hope there is data to prove me wrong. I can't justify my statement, but feel the media is misrepresenting the electric vehicle as GREEN.
Does anyone have information on the CLOSED LOOP ENERGY CYCLE for gasoline vs electric vs hydrogen vehicles? This would be import to review before writing statements like "… electricity generated from renewable sources, they’re completely emissions-free."
The amount of electricity Americans use is greater than the output of current renewable sources. Add in our thirst for driving and you have an equation that will promote nuclear and coal power plants to sustain the electric car habit. I find it misleading to promote these vehicles as GREEN. But I hope there is data to prove me wrong. I can't justify my statement, but feel the media is misrepresenting the electric vehicle as GREEN.
This is a great way to give this technology a go in the hands of normal, curious folks without risk. I've been driving electric for over 2.5 years and 13,000 miles. I am convinced regarding these cars: to know one is to want one.
This is a great way to give this technology a go in the hands of normal, curious folks without risk. I've been driving electric for over 2.5 years and 13,000 miles. I am convinced regarding these cars: to know one is to want one.
Great effort is taken to keep the mass of an electric vehicle as low as possible to improve its range and endurance. However, the weight and bulk of the batteries themselves usually makes an EV heavier than a comparable gasoline vehicle, reducing range and leading to longer braking distances; it also has less interior space.
Great effort is taken to keep the mass of an electric vehicle as low as possible to improve its range and endurance. However, the weight and bulk of the batteries themselves usually makes an EV heavier than a comparable gasoline vehicle, reducing range and leading to longer braking distances; it also has less interior space.
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Electric Vehicles are the most demanded vehicle of the year and it is always demanded by people all over the world. And now it is great news that people in Philadelphia will now seen revolution in their automobile industry and people will able to drive electric vehicles. It is a good news for the people of Philadelphia.
Electric Vehicles are the most demanded vehicle of the year and it is always demanded by people all over the world. And now it is great news that people in Philadelphia will now seen revolution in their automobile industry and people will able to drive electric vehicles. It is a good news for the people of Philadelphia.
Electric car is the latest invention in automobile sector. It has no doubt that it is very friendly to our environment and helps to make pollution free. Generally it is so easy to manage an electrical car and drive.
Use of electricity in place of fuels will somehow help to save the environment. It is because using electricity to run vehicles reduces the smoke and it helps to reduce the air pollution. Air pollution is one of the major causes of environmental pollution. So the charging vehicles are really very important to save our ecosystem.
It is a great and innovative idea by our expert engineers and a benchmark for an automobile sector.
Electric car is the latest invention in automobile sector. It has no doubt that it is very friendly to our environment and helps to make pollution free. Generally it is so easy to manage an electrical car and drive.
Use of electricity in place of fuels will somehow help to save the environment. It is because using electricity to run vehicles reduces the smoke and it helps to reduce the air pollution. Air pollution is one of the major causes of environmental pollution. So the charging vehicles are really very important to save our ecosystem.
It is a great and innovative idea by our expert engineers and a benchmark for an automobile sector.
This is true that, pollution rate is increasing day by day due to use of excess amount of vehicles. So, we have to control this pollution to stay safely in future. Actually, to control the pollution caused by vehicles we can go for electric cars. Actually electric car concept was discovered by the branded car makers to minimize the level of p0llution in the environment. Actually sometimes because of vehicle problem more carbon dioxide gas releases from the vehicle so, for these cases we have to repair our car from good German Mechanic Chelsea MI center whenever required to get better performance from it. .
This is true that, pollution rate is increasing day by day due to use of excess amount of vehicles. So, we have to control this pollution to stay safely in future. Actually, to control the pollution caused by vehicles we can go for electric cars. Actually electric car concept was discovered by the branded car makers to minimize the level of p0llution in the environment. Actually sometimes because of vehicle problem more carbon dioxide gas releases from the vehicle so, for these cases we have to repair our car from good German Mechanic Chelsea MI center whenever required to get better performance from it. .
Electric vehicles are come to the car market as a remedies to the current environment pollution that we face in our day to day life for our vehicles ignition process. So, I suggest all of you to use electric vehicles and to contribute something to control the pollution rate of our environment. So, I want to suggest that when we notice any type of error in our vehicle we have to repair it from good repair centers to avoid problems like vehicle break down. .
Electric vehicles are come to the car market as a remedies to the current environment pollution that we face in our day to day life for our vehicles ignition process. So, I suggest all of you to use electric vehicles and to contribute something to control the pollution rate of our environment. So, I want to suggest that when we notice any type of error in our vehicle we have to repair it from good repair centers to avoid problems like vehicle break down. .
Electric vehicles are come to the car market as a remedies to the current environment pollution that we face in our day to day life for our vehicles ignition process. So, I suggest all of you to use electric vehicles and to contribute something to control the pollution rate of our environment. So, I want to suggest that when we notice any type of error in our vehicle we have to repair it from good repair centers to avoid problems like vehicle break down. .
Electric vehicles are come to the car market as a remedies to the current environment pollution that we face in our day to day life for our vehicles ignition process. So, I suggest all of you to use electric vehicles and to contribute something to control the pollution rate of our environment. So, I want to suggest that when we notice any type of error in our vehicle we have to repair it from good repair centers to avoid problems like vehicle break down. .
The cleaned massive world need some prevention against the pollution due to the vehicles like car and other pollution. If you might think that their not that much vehicle that might create a this level of pollution. But from a research it is found that the pollutions mostly happening due to the huge number of cars in the society. To prevent this better to use the electric car that prevents the society from pollution and makes a pollution free society for all the people.
The cleaned massive world need some prevention against the pollution due to the vehicles like car and other pollution. If you might think that their not that much vehicle that might create a this level of pollution. But from a research it is found that the pollutions mostly happening due to the huge number of cars in the society. To prevent this better to use the electric car that prevents the society from pollution and makes a pollution free society for all the people.
As Furgione says, it is good that now they just concentrate on the volt. Its good to complete one then proceed for the another one. As we all know the volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and it can run well until its battery asks to be recharged. As we all know electric cars are made to overcome the problem of environment pollution, so, I am a little bit confused about this after reading the statement that says "the gasoline engine generates the electricity required to power the electric motor". So, as here the gasoline engine operates it must produce carbon dioxide gas so, how it is going to be a remedy for us to cope with the problem of environment pollution due to cars. I am eager to know something more on it. If possible please provide some information on it.
As Furgione says, it is good that now they just concentrate on the volt. Its good to complete one then proceed for the another one. As we all know the volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and it can run well until its battery asks to be recharged. As we all know electric cars are made to overcome the problem of environment pollution, so, I am a little bit confused about this after reading the statement that says "the gasoline engine generates the electricity required to power the electric motor". So, as here the gasoline engine operates it must produce carbon dioxide gas so, how it is going to be a remedy for us to cope with the problem of environment pollution due to cars. I am eager to know something more on it. If possible please provide some information on it.
Electric vehicles are much more better than the fuel vehicles. This kind of car operates on electricity but it's battery needs to be charged time to time. So installation of charging station is also vital for electric car. The electric motors in these cars are much more energy efficient than fuel vehicle. Electric cars are good for our environment. Really it is a good news that the people of Philadelphia will enjoy electric car riding very soon.
Electric vehicles are much more better than the fuel vehicles. This kind of car operates on electricity but it's battery needs to be charged time to time. So installation of charging station is also vital for electric car. The electric motors in these cars are much more energy efficient than fuel vehicle. Electric cars are good for our environment. Really it is a good news that the people of Philadelphia will enjoy electric car riding very soon.
The eight states have launch Electric cars ,really this car is the latest technology car for which we can save petrol, gas as its price is just touching the sky day by day. Through electricity we can operate this car as electricity has become cheaper. As , recently Governors from eight states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, recently launched an initiative to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the roads in their states by 2025. Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine. The eight states are among a group of states that have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be electric vehicles by 2025. Mercedes Repair Northridge
The eight states have launch Electric cars ,really this car is the latest technology car for which we can save petrol, gas as its price is just touching the sky day by day. Through electricity we can operate this car as electricity has become cheaper. As , recently Governors from eight states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, recently launched an initiative to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the roads in their states by 2025. Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine. The eight states are among a group of states that have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be electric vehicles by 2025. Mercedes Repair Northridge
The eight states have launch Electric cars ,really this car is the latest technology car for which we can save petrol, gas as its price is just touching the sky day by day. Through electricity we can operate this car as electricity has become cheaper. As , recently Governors from eight states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, recently launched an initiative to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the roads in their states by 2025. Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine. The eight states are among a group of states that have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be electric vehicles by 2025. Mercedes Repair Northridge
The eight states have launch Electric cars ,really this car is the latest technology car for which we can save petrol, gas as its price is just touching the sky day by day. Through electricity we can operate this car as electricity has become cheaper. As , recently Governors from eight states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, recently launched an initiative to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the roads in their states by 2025. Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine. The eight states are among a group of states that have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be electric vehicles by 2025. Mercedes Repair Northridge
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