June 4, 2009 by Rob.

Yes, the RAVolt is still going strong.  Sorry about the lack of updates.  I’ll explain all soon.I’ve been commuting 40 miles/day and the RAVolt is just not up for that.  The Fit is awesome (38+ MPG).I lost my auxiliary battery charger recently and ran down my “starter” battery.  After buying a new charger, the battery is slowly getting back to speed.  I know that there are some traction pack chargers & DC-DC supplies that also trickle charge the aux battery.   I would recommend this approach for EV conversions!

Posted in Daily Use, Improvements, Storyline | No Comments »

January 26, 2009 by Rob.

Since I had to switch over to the Fit as my daily driver (my new gig is approx 40 miles RT), it’s getting parked in our driveway.  Unfortunately, that means the the RAVolt is perpetually parked in.  I’m trying to anticipate EV opportunities and the Fit appropriately.  Even so, I still missed at least two EV trips this weekend.

Fit Update: I got 38 MPG based on my last fill-up.  The mileage lieage meter on the dashboard reported an average of 41 and change.  Even if it’s optimistic, the gauge does give me good driving feedback.  I wonder if my EV experience gives me an advantage in getting better MPG?  I’m not sure how to test that!

Posted in Honda Fit, Storyline | 1 Comment »

January 11, 2009 by Rob.

Turk & Christy Pipkin’s “Nobelity” movie was part of the inspiration for me to start the whole EV project, so it’s wonderful that I have a chance to be part of their sequel, “One Peace at a Time.”  My take away from Nobelity was that the difference between everyone and a Nobel laureate what they the laureates “got off their ass and did something” to solve a problem.I took at attitude with the EV project and dove in aggressively.  The RAVolt is not a show car, but it gets me where I need to go without gas.I have no idea what Turk will use in the movie - it could be nothing at all!   He wanted Laura in the shots too because he considers the RAVolt to be a “hip family car.”  I’m not sure about hip, but it’s definitely a car.

Posted in Nobelity, Storyline | 1 Comment »

January 3, 2009 by Rob.

My last two EV outings (16 miles & 12 miles) have been marked by atypical voltage sag.  It seems like the 18 month old batteries are not holding as much charge as they used to or the “cold” could be impacting them more than I expect.  Unfortunately, the I think the lack of daily commute based deep charge/discharge is limiting their recovery.

On a related note: having a high MPG car makes me less likely to drive the EV on longer trips.  Hmmm.

Posted in Honda Fit, Batteries, Daily Use, Storyline | 1 Comment »

January 1, 2009 by Rob.

Freedom to exercise more is one of the benefits of being unemployed and my level of fitness has improved during the last few weeks.  Next week I’m starting a contract with Dell so while I’ll trade financial for physically fitness.  But more significantly for this blog, I’ll also be starting a non-EVable commute.

Consequently, Laura and I decided that it was time to make room for a 33+ MPG Honda Fit in our driveway.  My 20 MPG (Premium Gas Only) Volvo S70 is belongs to Vol-Tec. So far I’m very happy with the Fit - it’s got great visibility and drives well.  I’ll post more about that after I start commuting in it.

Posted in Honda Fit, Storyline | 1 Comment »

December 3, 2008 by Rob.

Hmmm… it feels a little strange to be out buying motor oil in an EV.

The RAVolt is getting it’s annual TX inspection today.  I dropped it off with suitable warnings (gear then gas, slow in reverse) at the local Chevron and they said, “oh, yeah we do EVs all the time.”  Turns out it was me last year!

Posted in Storyline | 3 Comments »

November 29, 2008 by Rob.

I was appalled to see Gas 2.0 repeat this total garbage about CO2 spewing air travel being less polluting than driving.  Duh - there is more fuel used by cars so they generate more CO2.  It’s CO2 per passenger-mile that matters.  Idiots.

If you want to pollute less then take a train.

Posted in Rants | 1 Comment »

November 26, 2008 by Rob.

The RAVolt was causing slow traffic conditions in West Lake as the RAVolt reminded me that flooded Pb batteries do not like to charge in the cold.  I’m better at nursing the batteries, but those are some very long hills to climb.  It was quite an adventure.

My slow boat ride was also observed - Laura and I were out gorging that night at Sullivan’s Steak House (yes, I do eat red meat) and a friend sauntered up to our table to tease me about my “speeding problem.”  At least Alex was not out pushing!

Posted in Daily Use, Storyline | 1 Comment »

November 8, 2008 by Rob.

Not easily.  That’s the topic I explore on my TribalGrid blog today.

Even driving an electric car,  I’ve only reduced my gas use by about 50%.  That number would jump to 100% if my range was 100 miles instead of 20.  I think our family would eliminate the backup gas car if my EV had a 100 mile range (and heat, A/C, and power steering).

Posted in ICE Cars, Commentary, Rants, Green Tech | 1 Comment »

November 6, 2008 by Rob.

And my son turns 11.   Coincidence?  Yep.

Posted in Daily Use | 1 Comment »