First Name | Thomas |
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Last Name | Saidak |
Email Address | tsaidak@pacbell.net |
Affiliation | |
Subject | 2008 Amendments to the California Zero Emission Vehicle Registration |
Comment | I have been watching and reading the CARB hearings regarding mandates of ZEV for a number of years. As near as I can tell, CARB has been giving too much credence to auto maker’s statements regarding the feasibility of manufacturing ZEV vehicles. Based on the proven claims of A123 Systems, Altair, the High Compression Internal Combustion Engine (HCICE) and the XH150, here is where we are at now: We can make ANY vehicle with a curb weight of 3,000 lbs or less a PHEV that can attain 40 miles all electric, and 50 mpg thereafter PHEV. The use of HCICE technology will at a minimum, double the mpg of any standard internal combustion engine (ICE), and could as much as quadruple the mpg. This technology is scheduled for deployment in 2013 by US Automakers. It is not clear what percentage of vehicles this will apply too. CARB needs to know that this technology is made possible by direct injection of ethanol fuel in the 5% range, i.e., for every 20 gallons of gasoline consumed, 1 gallon of ethanol will be required to avoid knock ( premature cylinder detonation). On the all electric vehicle side as of today: Lightning Car Company in England can make a sports car that can go from 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds, with a range of 250 miles at a cost less than $15.00/recharge. This recharge can be done in as little as 10 minutes. The short recharge time requires a 500/kwh plug in station. The 40 mile recharge, which works for nearly 75% of drivers in the U.S., would take less than 4.5 hours on a standard 120 volt socket. Tesla Motors makes a sports car with a 220 mile range with a cost to recharge from 0 to 100% of less than $4.40. Hydrogen based fuel cells will never reach this economic efficiency. This alone should tell CARB that hydrogen or ethanol fueled vehicles are not worth considering as cost factors are a major indicator of comparative efficiency. Toyota has raised their warranty for the battery packs in the Prius to 150,000 miles, which should give CARB greater confidence of the state of current battery technology. Implications: An all electrical passenger car and truck fleet would require an additional 10% over current electrical generation capability. Switching to an all electrical vehicle fleet would reduce air pollution by 16% locally assuming no change in the generation mix, drop oil imports by as much as 4%, and the trade deficit in the energy sector by as much as $28 Billion Dollars. A corporate intelligence service, Stratfor, has made the assertion that Saudi Arabia purposely overproduced oil to keep it at or about $20.00/bbl to convince the US government to drop critical alternative energy research. To the degree that this did leave to suspension of most US energy research projects, it would seem that it is imperative that a major market such as California dictate the need for transformation of automotive industries. This is best exemplified by Governor Schwarzeneger’s ownership of a GMC Hummer. Action: Given the above, it would seem a rational approach would be to mandate that as of 2013, all passenger and light vehicle trucks sold in California should be PHEV’s, with HCICE engines. This gives all automakers 5 years to comply. Given that it takes only 2 years to build a battery factory, the requirement is easily achievable. All such PHEV’s should be programmed to shut down the HCICE within 3 seconds of coming to a complete stop (a strategy used by the Toyota Prius). During 2012 to 2014, the agreed to requirement for 25,000 ZEV should be adhered too, with the proviso that by 2018, ALL passenger vehicles and light trucks must be ZEV vehicles. I would remind CARB that the ability of researchers in the US in the last 10 years has made a mockery of any naysayer regarding BEV vehicle capabilities. I would further like to remind CARB that the manipulations of oil producing countries to influence US policy decisions makes it clear that bold, decisive action on the part of Federal and State policy makers is required to overcome consumer confusion regarding the synergies of their immediate strategies in decision making as to what vehicles make the most sense to buy. The large auto manufacturers should be given the clear message to lead, follow or get out of the way. Thank you for your attention to this missive. Thomas Saidak tsaidak@pacbell.net |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-08-11 20:10:42 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.