Green News
At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Part III
Because its 1,175-pound pack of 27 advanced lead-acid (PbA) batteries - 26 propulsion, one for accessories - held a mere half-gallon of gasoline-equivalent energy, the production EV1 would have to be an incredibly efficient teardrop-shaped two-seater to achieve even barely acceptable range. Stretching it to accommodate four passengers would have reduced its already very modest [...]
At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Part IV
NOTE: If you missed them, please start by reading parts one, two and three in Gary’s EV1 series.
What was learned, and is being applied today
“As has been stated in comments [to the] previous two posts by Mr. Witzenburg, there are several things which just don’t add up, and make him look like a half-wit.” - [...]
At Witz End - GM’s EV1, the True Story, part I
Triumph of technology set the stage for the future
Our gift is a world of opportunity. To leave it a better place than we found it is our greatest gift to the next generation. - Ken Baker, GM Electric Vehicles
“Since when does being an auto engineer makes you smarter than scientists specializing in the field?” - [...]
At Witz’ End - EV1 - The Real Story, Part II
I joined the GM EV effort in April, 1991 and began pulling together a small team of test and development engineers and technicians at GM’s Proving Grounds near Milford, MI.
One vivid early memory was driving the Impact concept car down a long, steep Proving Grounds hill early one August morning on the way to demonstrate [...]
Painting Your Car Green May Eliminate Bird Poo
A new study conducted by a Zurich insurance company gives new meaning to the benefits of owning a green car. In a survey that examined the color of vehicles to frequency of bird droppings, results showed that owners of green cars were less likely to find bird poo stains (86%) compared to owners of silver [...]
Global Warming Pro
There are cogent arguments on both sides
If you read my first ABG column a few weeks ago, you know that I’m no believer in human-caused global warming. My logical, data-driven engineering mind can’t wrap around the idea that the 4% of CO2 created by all of the planet’s human activity (96% is naturally generated), which [...]
Lies and Deceptions
Scientists challenge today’s biggest and most dangerous lie
A few months ago, I was asked to speak to a group of engineers and researchers toiling on high-tech projects under the auspices of USCAR (United States Council for Automotive Research), the umbrella organization for collaborative research among Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. The occasion was an annual [...]
Gas Prices - What To Do, What To Do?
Left: “We can’t drill our way out of this!”
Right: “We can’t conserve our way out of this!”
Chorus: “We must innovate our way out of this!”
(Maybe, but how long will that take? What will it cost? Who will pay?)
Democrats: “Big Oil’s fault! Confiscate their profits!”
Republicans: “Environmentalists’ fault! Drill here, drill now, pay less!”
Chorus: “Speculators’ fault! Pass [...]
Gas Prices: Alternatives and Oil Supply
Part of the problem is speculation: individual and institutional investors betting on higher future oil prices. Another big factor is the very weak U.S. dollar. But the bulk of the reason oil and gas prices have climbed so high is that age-old Economics 101 supply/demand equation. Global demand, especially by developing countries, continues to grow, [...]