Category Archives: Automobiles

Notes from “The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World” by Steve LeVine

Posted on December 2, 2016 by

[ My notes from 2015 “The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World” by Steve LeVine follow this introduction. I read this book because I’ve done extensive research on batteries and was surprised by all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Automobiles, Batteries, Energy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A billion new autos by 2030 will kill climate change

Posted on October 13, 2016 by

[ By 2030 we’ll be 25 years past peak conventional oil production, as well as the tiny amount unconventional oil kicked the numbers slightly up from the conventional oil plateau, and there will be a lot fewer autos on the … Continue reading →

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Natural gas is a stupid transportation fuel

Posted on September 23, 2016 by

[ My comment: The only reason natural gas has come up as a transportation fuel at all is the false belief that there is 100 years of natural gas (even this article does, but natural gas may last far less … Continue reading →

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Why self-driving cars may not be in your future

Posted on August 27, 2016 by

[ This is a summary of 3 articles below.   Alice Friedemann   www.energyskeptic.com  author of “When Trucks Stop Running: Energy and the Future of Transportation”, 2015, Springer and “Crunch! Whole Grain Artisan Chips and Crackers”] Pavlus, John. July 18, 2016. What … Continue reading →

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What is most energy efficient mass transit mode: bus, rail, or auto?

Posted on April 28, 2016 by

Before I get started on which of these transportation modes is better, consider how much lightweighting buses, locomotives, (and trucks) would save on energy.  I can’t find similar figures for trucks and locomotives, but the next 2 slides about autos … Continue reading →

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Not enough lithium for electric car batteries

Posted on March 24, 2016 by

Vikström, H., Davidsson, S., Höök, M. 2013. Lithium availability and future production outlooks. Applied Energy, 110(10): 252-266. 28 pages [ This is by far the best paper explaining lithium reserves, lithium chemistry, recycling, political implications, and more. I’ve left out … Continue reading →

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Who Killed the Electric Car and more importantly, the Electric Truck?

Posted on March 22, 2016 by

[ Who cares about electric CARS?  Civilization ends when trucks stop running, and trucks can’t run on batteries because they’re too heavy (93% of the cargo weight, 25% of the cargo space), and an all-electric truck fleet would require thousands … Continue reading →

Posted in Automobiles, Batteries, Electric trucks impossible, Electrification, Optimism & Critical Thinking, Transportation, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who Killed the Electric Car and more importantly, the Electric Truck?

Reduce vehicle fuel consumption to increase energy security

Posted on November 6, 2015 by

[This is a really interesting House session that discusses U.S. energy policy, the need for consumers to be educated about why they should buy more fuel efficient cars, and push-back from the auto industry (see the full 140 pages for … Continue reading →

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David L. Greene, ORNL: Raise cafe standards and gas tax

Posted on November 4, 2015 by

Excerpt from: U.S. House. February 9, 2005. Improving the nation’s energy security: can cars and trucks be made more fuel efficient? Committee on science, House of Representatives, Serial No. 109-3. 140 pages. DAVID L. GREENE, OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY, CENTER … Continue reading →

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CAFE standards: 54.5 mpg cars exist, but public prefers gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks

Posted on November 4, 2015 by

[Passenger vehicles sold in 2025 in the United States are supposed to get 54.5 miles per gallon on average.  But they won’t.  It will be closer to 35.4 miles per gallon, as the Union of Concerned Scientists explains in Translating … Continue reading →

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