So how on earth did people function there before there was A/C in cars?
Over here in Scandinavia the whole place shuts down for July so people can go to the countryside and enjoy something of the short summer. Perhaps the something similar could be done in Houston, a chance to run away from the heat.
Simple, before A/C in cars, one drove fast with the windows down. Didn't they call it the 'Roaring 20s'? And before that, we had horseback.
The irony of the problem in Houston is the inner city is actually 10 degrees F hotter because everyone is using A/C. It is a vicious circle, now recognized as global warming. Now only is Houston hot, but the humidity is near 100%. When you land in an airplane, the outside of the windows steam up like you were in a sauna.
This year here in Taiwan, the government tried to enforce people turning off car engines if the car was not moving for more than 3 minutes. The government had to back down as people claimed they needed to provide a/c for the elderly and infants.
Heater, is your day job a comedian? Train to my Dad's: First get to the Amtrak station in Kansas City (36 miles). No public transportation. Long term parking was $10 a day in 2009. Train departs at 0743 and arrives in Houston at 1315 the next day (two of the four legs are by bus). Then I have to make the 85 miles from the train station to my Dad's house. Flying is a little better: Get to the airport (21 miles). Airport shuttle is $35 each way. Flight Kansas City to Houston is about 3 hours plus security and bags if you check them. Then 87 miles from the airport to Dad;s. Also I have made a life style choice. I don't like an empty house so I have a dog. If I go by plane or train, I must kennel the dog. He rides well in my truck and we go for walks at my Dad's
John Abshier
PS. In 1969 I had a car with no air conditioning. It was great while I was stationed in Germany. At Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a uniform would look like ***** after five minutes.
So we are doomed then. As I said earlier the human race will just continue partying until the booze runs out. Seems there is never a good reason to slowdown until then.
Sadly not (Despite what my boss may think). I have just been spoiled by living in a place where public transport works, I don't need a car to do my day to day bussines and if I want to go anywhere for a longer, say weekend, trip I can hire a car, or go by train or plane.
I guess I also forget how big the USA is.
and if I want to go anywhere for a longer, say weekend, trip I can hire a car ... I also forget how big the USA is.
Renting a car for a long trip makes sense. In October, I drove cross-country round trip in 7 days to move some items from SC to LA. It was amazingly cheap ($155 total from LAX) to rent a car (Kia Soul averaged 32 MPG@80 MPH, wow) that it paid for itself in gas saved and peace of mind: it kept the miles off my own car, and if the rental car blew up anywhere, I could call and get a free replacement. They were fairly surprised to see 5200 miles on the car after just 7 days.
So you envision an EV, a generator, and gasoline storage..................
If you live in an area prone to power outages, yes, absolutely. The generator and gasoline are very practical. Whether or not you have an EV is irrelevant.
Non-automobile travel has been getting worse in the US for a long time. 100 years ago I could take a trolley from Leavenworth to Union Station in Kansas City. 30 years ago airlines flew to an airport 10 miles from my Dad's house. There have been lots of proposals for high speed rail, but practically no progress. Security makes flying less fun. It was eye opening to see how security was in flights in Australia and New Zealand. My artificial knees get me personal attention from the security folks. But in 9 more years, I won't have to take off my shoes. Recently my sister paid $60 each way for a few inches extra legroom.
John I was in Iowa for 3 years .
No midwesterner is gonna get by in a snow storm in a EV . I get this .
However the issue is that the people I live near here in the portland area really do not need a 2ed full gas car .
A EV is more then enough .
and Lets not forget the RAV4 EV was 120Miles per charge and was a SUV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is not a prego rollerskate of a smart car ( who I love ! for the record ) it was a SUV. you can HAUL a boat ! .
If the EV was able to fit in 1/2 or 2/3rd of the parking space that is now provided and these spaces had charging stations, it might work out well. It has always been about two central issues -- a change in lifestyle and providing less of a vehicle than people now have.
I said earlier that some claim that 40% of the fuel in inner cities is consumed in finding parking spaces. So... providing more spaces as well as charging will have a lot of appeal.
In my 20s, I was living in SF and using a Honda 150cc motorcycle. I could go downtown and arrive at the front door of my destination on foot in about 15 minutes. If I took a car, I had one or two choices of parking structures that were less costly and arriving at the same place in about 30-45 minutes or looking for parking on the street and easily spending 45 minutes to an hour looking for a space on the public streets. And, at certain times of day a search for a parking space could require 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Of course, there is a big expense involved if a city is going to pull electrical service to individual parking spaces on the street. it may be best to just redevelop some parking structures to accommodate more EVs.
And it certainly would not hurt to accommodate charging for electric bicycles and electron motor scooters. Tons of more parking spaces.
Smaller spaces, but mor spaces without charging on the street would also help people to change over
If the EV was able to fit in 1/2 or 2/3rd of the parking space that is now provided and these spaces had charging stations, it might work out well.
You mean something like the Tango? (it also works as a snow plow)
Heating and cooling cutting into range is a serious issue but not a killer issue. Preheating/cooling the cabin on a schedule when charging would help. (i.e. you drive to work at 7:30am each morning, the car cabin should be 72F before you unplug the charger) Actually having significant insulation in the car would help more. Using a heat-pump instead of a resistive heater will save a lot of energy. Window coatings would also be important. Something IR reflective would hold heat in better, and reduce the heat load from summer sun.
Lawson
P.S. I really want to try to make a 2-seat electric based on solar car tech. I think I could get a >600 mile range and safety/cargo similar to a sub-compact car. Nice days only though, a really hot or cold day could easily cut the range of this concept down to "only" >400 miles. (i.e. with a < 3Kw target power consumption on the highway, needing 1-1.5Kw for climate control would "kill" range)
Comments
Simple, before A/C in cars, one drove fast with the windows down. Didn't they call it the 'Roaring 20s'? And before that, we had horseback.
The irony of the problem in Houston is the inner city is actually 10 degrees F hotter because everyone is using A/C. It is a vicious circle, now recognized as global warming. Now only is Houston hot, but the humidity is near 100%. When you land in an airplane, the outside of the windows steam up like you were in a sauna.
This year here in Taiwan, the government tried to enforce people turning off car engines if the car was not moving for more than 3 minutes. The government had to back down as people claimed they needed to provide a/c for the elderly and infants.
John Abshier
PS. In 1969 I had a car with no air conditioning. It was great while I was stationed in Germany. At Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a uniform would look like ***** after five minutes.
So we are doomed then. As I said earlier the human race will just continue partying until the booze runs out. Seems there is never a good reason to slowdown until then.
I guess I also forget how big the USA is.
Renting a car for a long trip makes sense. In October, I drove cross-country round trip in 7 days to move some items from SC to LA. It was amazingly cheap ($155 total from LAX) to rent a car (Kia Soul averaged 32 MPG@80 MPH, wow) that it paid for itself in gas saved and peace of mind: it kept the miles off my own car, and if the rental car blew up anywhere, I could call and get a free replacement. They were fairly surprised to see 5200 miles on the car after just 7 days.
Most of the way, 'cept for Alabama. Got a warning from a nice trooper, no fine.
US Speed Limits
If you live in an area prone to power outages, yes, absolutely. The generator and gasoline are very practical. Whether or not you have an EV is irrelevant.
John Abshier
No midwesterner is gonna get by in a snow storm in a EV . I get this .
However the issue is that the people I live near here in the portland area really do not need a 2ed full gas car .
A EV is more then enough .
and Lets not forget the RAV4 EV was 120Miles per charge and was a SUV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is not a prego rollerskate of a smart car ( who I love ! for the record ) it was a SUV. you can HAUL a boat ! .
I said earlier that some claim that 40% of the fuel in inner cities is consumed in finding parking spaces. So... providing more spaces as well as charging will have a lot of appeal.
In my 20s, I was living in SF and using a Honda 150cc motorcycle. I could go downtown and arrive at the front door of my destination on foot in about 15 minutes. If I took a car, I had one or two choices of parking structures that were less costly and arriving at the same place in about 30-45 minutes or looking for parking on the street and easily spending 45 minutes to an hour looking for a space on the public streets. And, at certain times of day a search for a parking space could require 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Of course, there is a big expense involved if a city is going to pull electrical service to individual parking spaces on the street. it may be best to just redevelop some parking structures to accommodate more EVs.
And it certainly would not hurt to accommodate charging for electric bicycles and electron motor scooters. Tons of more parking spaces.
Smaller spaces, but mor spaces without charging on the street would also help people to change over
You mean something like the Tango? (it also works as a snow plow)
Heating and cooling cutting into range is a serious issue but not a killer issue. Preheating/cooling the cabin on a schedule when charging would help. (i.e. you drive to work at 7:30am each morning, the car cabin should be 72F before you unplug the charger) Actually having significant insulation in the car would help more. Using a heat-pump instead of a resistive heater will save a lot of energy. Window coatings would also be important. Something IR reflective would hold heat in better, and reduce the heat load from summer sun.
Lawson
P.S. I really want to try to make a 2-seat electric based on solar car tech. I think I could get a >600 mile range and safety/cargo similar to a sub-compact car. Nice days only though, a really hot or cold day could easily cut the range of this concept down to "only" >400 miles. (i.e. with a < 3Kw target power consumption on the highway, needing 1-1.5Kw for climate control would "kill" range)
That little number can Drag!