The overall pollution of electric/hybrid cars probably is many times higher than regular vehicles. I knew the national lab and GM did this study 7 years ago. They found that the conventional vehicle achieved the least pollution on overall pollution "from well to wheel", it is not fuel cell vehicle, not electric/hybrid vehicles. The US EPA probably still has this report on the web somewhere. Toyota hybrids might save end-user the cost of fuel, but is creating the largest scale of heavy-metal pollution on this planet in the human history. It will take 10-20 years for mankind to realize this kind of mistake. (Also, please don't forget Japan is just an island country, they exported/shipped most of their garbage to the third world country just like we did here in USA. We send our pollution out of this country to keep it clean and quite here. Our TV and Radio seem cannot see/care about any of this. They might just think this is somebody else's problem. BTW, it is true exporting pollution cost much less than handling pollution locally from most business point of view.) If the national lab study is right, we are making a big mistake. The diesel can also achieve higher efficiency than gasoline engines, and make less pollution (zero emission on 2013 per US EPA regulation) with today's technology. Also it cost less than the hybrid. That's why we saw some Europe and Asia country decided putting more diesel vehicle on the road instead the hybrid/electric vehicle. For earth, we damaged much, fixed few. Funny N. New Bedford, MA http://www.AuElectronics.selfip.com ----- Original Message ---- From: Bob Axtell To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Sent: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 11:43:17 AM Subject: Re: [OT][EE] Let's design a PICLIST electric car conversion. Byron Jeff wrote: > On Tue, Dec 04, 2007 at 02:50:08PM -0500, Bob Blick wrote: > >> --- Byron Jeff wrote: >> >> >>> All the electric car discussion of late has gotten >>> me all geeked up. >>> >> Hi Byron, >> >> I used to (early to mid 1990's) be involved in that >> sort of thing, and even designed a few controllers. >> I'm happy to provide input. Hopefully you will be the >> group leader, because I hate group projects where >> there's nobody in charge. >> > > I can do that. Any suggestions of where to start in terms of getting up to > speed on power electronics? > > I have nothing specific, except that I am involved with a major solar project at the same time. I have learned a LOT about high currents and batteries; My new experience is with NiMH batteries, so I think I can help there... On the vehicle.. I had a friend that made a conversion some years ago. He told me that he drained the rear axle grease and replaced it with much thinner silicon lubricant. He also replaced the actual wheel bearing grease with a high-performance version, all to reduce rolling friction. He went further, replacing even slightly worn wheelbearings. Finally, the smaller the tire the better, i.e. "working" rubber loses a lot of energy. --Bob A -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist