Electric Cars and other sustainable transport

Most people do not realise that in the very early days of motoring, electric vehicles were as common as petrol ones.

They certainly do not realise that in the late 1990s and early 2000s General Motors were manufacturing an all electric sportscar known as the EV1. So why not? How could something so revolutionary, and something that most people think we are waiting to develop, not be common knowledge?

Have a look at Who Killed the Electric Car? This first rate documentary looks at the rise and destruction of the EV1 and other electric vehicles of the time, despite wild enthusiasm from the users (including Mel Gibson). It looks at whether there was a conspiracy from groups whose financial interests were not best served by these revolutionary vehicles. The DVD also considers the viability of hydrogen vehicles.

Amazingly a leading journalist was given behind the scenes access to the EV1 electric car project. You will be absolutely stunned at the goings on of the car industry and government in The Car that Could by Michael Shnayerson.

Future Drive: Electric Vehicles And Sustainable Transportation by Daniel Sperling is an excellent book covering a range of alternative energy propulsion options. Despite being reasonably technical it is an easy and enjoyable read.

The latest book which covers AC rather than DC electric car motors is AC Motor Control and Electrical Vehicle Applications written by Kwang Nee Ham.

Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman and Bob Brant, Convert It! by Michael Brown and Electric Vehicle Technology Explained by James Larminie and John Lowry provide references for those enthusiasts who want their own electric vehicles and don't want to wait. It also begs the question that if so many enthusiasts have built or converted cars to full electric power, why does it take the auto industry so long to catch up given its enormous resources?

Finally it seems strange to include Henry Ford's books My Life and Work - An Autobiography of Henry Ford and Henry Ford Today and Tomorrow - Special Edition of Ford's 1926 Classic in a section on alternative energy vehicles. However, when you study his work he had revolutionary ideas on strength without weight, avoiding waste and recycling, synthetic fuels and improving production and materials. In fact it is not beyond belief that if Henry was alive today he could be one of the leaders in this field.

For businesses that wish to fast track their knowledge on these subjects,
please see our Executive Briefings section.

Below is a photo from the launch of the Uni NSW Sunswift solar racing car, hosted by Sunshine n Water and B2B Network on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

They competed against many of the world's leading Universities and Research Agencies in the 3000 km Darwin to Adelaide Global Green Challenge. The race from Darwin to Adelaide ran on October 24th to 31st 2009 and the next one is due for October 16th 2011.

Check out some of the media that the launch generated:

12 Oct 2009 - In a league of her own: the car called IVy which runs on less power than a toaster - The Age [Link]

12 Oct 2009 - In a league of her own: the car called IVy which runs on less power than a toaster - The Sydney Morning Herald [Link]

08 Oct 2009 - From lightly toasted to 115 km/h - new solar car to shine - Sustainability Matters [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car, Sunswift IV (Top Shot) - ABC News Photos [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Australian solar racing team to contest Global Green Challenge - China View [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - Nine News [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - Brisbane Times [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - Seven News [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - Bigpond News [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - Drive [Link]

07 Oct 2009 - Solar car 'uses less power than toaster' - The Sydney Morning Herald [Link]