Nissan Leaf

[Hangar-7]

[quote=scallybert;441535]Somehow I struggle with the idea of a Honda being fuel economical... ;)


Hydrogen is also a pain to store, transport, and basically everything.

It strikes me (perhaps insanely) that if you have the energy to produce hydrogen, you could so something more creative - like:

Energy + CO2 +H2O -> hydrocarbon + O2
ie much like plants do, and potentially producing conventional fuels and oxygen that you release.

However we don't have the energy; and the focus on 'carbon issues' probably isn't helping.[/quote]

Isn't this a hot research area ATM? Mimicking Chlorophyll basically which works at room temperature[IMG]http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/testvb/images/icons/icon6.gif[/IMG]?

Have a look at this site - not sure though how reputable this publication is:

[url]http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/160431[/url]

[Dedcalm]

I saw something a little while back about a solar furnace in the US which was being used to produce (allbeit small amounts of) fuel from CO2... sounded interesting at the time especially with sun being free (until they work out how to tax it!)

I am sticking with my super unleaded monster for the time being, currently looking to replace the other monster with a Shogun LWB to haul the ever expanding family about in (don't want a boring bus, although it might come down to it if the shogun doesnt suit the seating req's).

[derrick]

If you are so worried about enviroment get on your bikes, i cycle to work everyday only use car weekends mostly to cart hel's around. I ain't green just love cycling

[Hangar-7]

I love my push bike too... but 2x17 miles everyday? Not practical really.

[bolders]

Same here. I used to cycle to work as there was a shower when i got there and I only had to go 5 miles each way which was a perfect distance.

I have to travel 16 miles each way to uni every day now which is just a bit to far plus the fact I normally have a bag full of books and nowhere to shower or store wet clothes etc

[ChrisB]

We need a complete new source of free energy,ie utilise the suns enormous potential.

Its energy output is 400,million.million.million.million watts.Or the energy from it in one second is a million times the USA`s yearly electricity consumption

Source of this info was BBC Wonders of the solar system.

[scallybert]

[quote=ChrisB;442529]We need a complete new source of free energy,ie utilise the suns enormous potential.

Its energy output is 400,million.million.million.million watts.Or the energy from it in one second is a million times the USA`s yearly electricity consumption
[/quote]
I can't do the sums, but I've got a nasty feeling that even if we could collect all the solar energy falling on the Earth's surface, it wouldn't be enough. :(

[SRH990]

Yes, fossil fuel power stations are much more efficient than fossil fuel powered cars but the issue is that as demand for power rises & falls, they can't just trun a fossil fuel power station off. There needs to be greater eelctricity storage capacity in the national grid to [I]keep[/I] them efficient and one of the ways being looked at to achieve this is to use electric cars plugged into the grid to actually put power [I]back[/I] into the grid, in effect using their batteries as capacitors.

For every argument about the positive aspects of switching to electric cars, there's always a negative plus plenty of websites claiming that we won't ever run out of oil as it's still being produced in the earth :confused: For me, if I could buy an electric car at a reasonable price that would have the range & speed of the Leaf, this would fulfill probably 90% of my annual mileage as I spend most of my time in traffic.

I saw a program about the massive oil reserves now discovered in Canada which will see us through the mext 40 years or so, problem is it's a bitumen type deposit and they need to use steam to make it liquid enough to extract from the ground. The easily reachable oil is running out fast and the costs of extracting the more challenging deposits is only going to put the price of oil up.

[Hangar-7]

[quote=SRH990;442549]Yes, fossil fuel power stations are much more efficient than fossil fuel powered cars but the issue is that as demand for power rises & falls, they can't just trun a fossil fuel power station off. There needs to be greater eelctricity storage capacity in the national grid to [I]keep[/I] them efficient and one of the ways being looked at to achieve this is to use electric cars plugged into the grid to actually put power [I]back[/I] into the grid, in effect using their batteries as capacitors.

For every argument about the positive aspects of switching to electric cars, there's always a negative plus plenty of websites claiming that we won't ever run out of oil as it's still being produced in the earth :confused: For me, if I could buy an electric car at a reasonable price that would have the range & speed of the Leaf, this would fulfill probably 90% of my annual mileage as I spend most of my time in traffic.

I saw a program about the massive oil reserves now discovered in Canada which will see us through the mext 40 years or so, problem is it's a bitumen type deposit and they need to use steam to make it liquid enough to extract from the ground. The easily reachable oil is running out fast and the costs of extracting the more challenging deposits is only going to put the price of oil up.[/quote]

:iagree:The fact is that we're now more aware of the reasons why burning fossile fuel is not a clever idea is a good start.

Just like smoking cigerette causing danger to our health and it took 25-30 years for this fact to get across to the most general public. And I remember the guy who used to go round the country in his 3 metre long bike with a bill board "Smoking Kills" was redeculed by general public.

Since I'm an optimist, I believe the change to electric cars will happen - it is now a matter of time. I only wish we should not have been trailing behind the technology and not leading it.[IMG]http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/testvb/images/icons/icon7.gif[/IMG]

[Disc]

Just build loads of nuclear power stations then charging these electric cars won't be an issue. Just the waste issue... but we advance in technology we'll either find a better way to handle it or it won't matter because we'll blow ourselves up 1st :)

Until electric cars can do a decent millage and a decent cost there's no real point to them

[ChrisB]

Old thread alert!!!

Has anyone on here got a Leaf?

Whats your thoughts,especially the 30KW version.

[Boggy]

I've delivered dozens of used ones( 2/5000 on the clock) Chris.Not driven them far but soooo relaxed and easy and the Nissan salesmen genuinely love them.I'm regularly met with the comment "I now have something to go home in tonight! " However I believe they are only good for about 110 miles per charge?

[james_2k]

a leaf fell onto my v8 jeep this morning. If that counts :D

[ChrisB]

Cheers Ron

Yes they say about 110miles,depends on terrain,weather and how much Regen you get when slowing down/braking.

I need a max range of 70 miles as a rule (Poole to Nursling and back) but allowing detour thru the backroads when A31 is gridlocked.

Been thinkin about one for ages,im not interested in the enviroment aspect i am just keen to have one to play with for a couple of years or so to see how it compares to our Petrol and Diesel cars we shall be keeping so have backup vehicles.

Theres lots to look into yet,i would get a home charge point fitted at both mine and Clares houses (Totton and Poole) as wouldnt want to rely on the 13A plug charger it comes with,also have fast charger at Ringwood and Wimborne on my main useage route should i need them.

They are up to £4 for a rapid charge(80% in 30 mins) and charging from either house overnight would cost around £3 on current tarrif for the supposed 100 mile range.

Cheap insurance,zero roadtax and £100 for yearly service.

[james_2k]

I hear that when the batteries need changing that it can be very expensive? Can't just stick some turnigys in there ;)