Electric Car Conversions from Electric Blue

So you really do not feel like waiting for the major automakers to offer an electric car? Do you want to make a difference now and not wait until 2012, or whenever someone actually offers EV's or PHEV's? Don't worry, there are really good companies out there that will convert your current vehicle to all-electric. This is an extremely attractive option for those individuals who do not require a huge range to make their daily commutes.

One of the best out there is an outfit in Walton, Kansas named Electric Blue. Wayne Alexander is the owner, has been converting cars for more than 30 years and has this to say about his business; "It's always been steady, but this is out of hand now, I have them waiting in line. With all the parts in front of me, I just jump from car to car, like an assembly line." So even with our economy in decline, business is booming for DIY electric vehicles.

Alexander charges about $12,500 to convert any car or pickup truck to electric. He now converts about four cars a month, up from about one or two cars a month last year, and believes he's got the busiest conversion shop in the country. Wayne Alexander is not alone, as other conversion companies are reporting similar sales jumps. He says his cars can normally reach speeds up to 70 mph and can go about 35 miles at that speed on a single charge. They also can be plugged into a 110-volt outlet and are recharged in about five hours.

Wayne likes to convert light pickups best as they can handle the weight and space requirement of the 24 lead acid batteries. Most of the batteries are stored neatly under the bed and integrated into the chassis with fabricated sheet metal. Initially, the pickups will have a 50 mile range, but it is best to limit the distances to 35 miles or so in order to preserve battery life.

Instead of forking over 40 grand when the Volt comes out, you can buy a Chevy S-10 or Ford Ranger with a blown engine and let Electric Blue convert it for you for a fraction of the price. Even if you have to commute 30 miles to work, if there is an outlet available, you can plug it in and then have a full charge for the return trip home. All without using a drop of gas.

That's what I call living oil free!

Visit the Electric Blue website here.

Solar Power

Have you ever considered solar power for your home? I have, but am daunted by the big price tag. It can cost up to 20 grand to have a decent sized solar array installed on the roof and then tied into the grid. With a home equity loan you can keep the monthly costs down but it still would take you 20 years to recoup the initial costs of the installation.

I have done some extensive Internet research for home solar kits and the basic packages run anywhere from 8 to 10 grand. This is obviously much less than the 20 grand but you will not have the capacity to run your entire house. The size of the solar array in these less costly kits will probably supply about a third of your electricity demands. Still, it would be a great start!

Do you think our government should give homeowners a tax credit for installing a solar system? The government gives everyone else money for all sorts of idiotic causes, why not a worthy cause? Probably one of the best reasons to have solar is because one day we will be able to buy electric cars and then have the ability to "fill then up" for free!

China's automotive crisis

Apparently, US automakers are not alone in their dire straits.

From China Daily:

Chinese automakers are facing their toughest challenge in three years as demand is falling and profitability is plunging amid rising costs. The country’s auto sales fell in August and September as a 64 percent stock-market slump and the economic slowdown curbed demand.

The government held a meeting in Beijing on Saturday of more than 10 automakers to gather industry suggestions, Chen said. “It is possible the government may announce policies" to help revive the industry, he added.

The government is also urging automakers to take advantage of a reshuffle in the global automobile industry and speed up development of vehicles using alternative energies, Chen said. China’s government will help automakers with technology and financial support to make progress in the area of electric cars, Chen added.

It seems that Chinese automakers are trying to rally around their government's assistance, pull out of their slump AND beat the competition to market with alternative energy vehicles. Notice that the quote claims the Chinese would like to take advantage of a "global" automobile industry re-shuffle, which means to me they want to win this race.

So...where is the equivalent US resolve? Why isn't the US government encouraging the Big Three likewise? Why are the Big Three only interested in free handouts and pity? Something rotten in Denmark is the only answer I can find.

Now, how quickly can China produce the goods? This could be the only question that matters, because US automakers may not make it to February '09.

My hope is that they (the Chinese) can get them for sale in the US market! I would love to buy a reasonably priced plug in hybrid electric vehicle soon. Living Oil Free Now! means that citizens actually have a choice when purchasing vehicles that do not burn gasoline.