SolarRay is on the Science Channel/Invention Nation.
The SolarRay crew demonstrate an EV motocross bike, EV bicycle,
EV off-road vehicles and the EV Mazda in Taos, NM.
See us in the episode titled Desert Power on You
Tube:
DesertPower1
DesertPower2
DesertPower3
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| Pros, Cons, & The
Future |
As Seen on TV! |
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| The
SolRunner 2007 |
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Under the Sunzuki's hood |
Benefits:
-No Noise (#1 Complaint against off road vehicles)
-No Pollution
-Better throttle Control
-Simpler Operation (no clutch, gears, starter, choke, etc.)
-More climbing torque
-Can't stall
-Not sensitive to altitude
-Less Maintenance
-Can be light weight (with less range)
-Can be charged from Solar & Wind Power
Problems:
-Limited Range with current Lead Acid batteries
-Heavy (if more batteries are added to increase range)
-Less range when cold
Future:
-Better batteries will solve the problems. These batteries already exist
in small configurations( cell phones, laptops, Li+, NiMh) and are becoming
more affordable for larger sizes.
-Quick Connect batteries will allow quick battery changes.(Like cordless
power tools)
-Faster chargers ( Nickel Metal Hydride batteries can be recharged in
15 minutes!)
-Lighter weight vehicles using carbon fiber technologies, etc. designed
for Electric.
-Integrated Transportation systems that use small low speed EV s for travel
in neighborhoods and downtown areas, that ride on bullet trains between
towns (instead of highways) Drivers would read, sleep, or work on laptop
while their vehicle recharged, all traveling at 200 mph. (Faster, Safer,
more convenient, less pollution)
What will it cost me?
-The Solar Electric Mazda is for sell: $8995.00 right now.
-An electric conversion of a street legal car starts at $10,000 including
parts but not including labor.
-A motorcycle conversion is about $1500 parts not including labor.
-Each conversion is different, so we can help you with your EV!
-Note ** We like to convert vehicles that are efficient to begin with.
A small 2 wheel drive pickup or a sedan with room for batteries is a good
start. Also consider your driving habits and how long and far you want
to go.
Anybody Can Own an Electric Vehicle!
Just as cordless power tools have become all the rage, small EV s too will
boom in popularity as gas prices and pollution continue to grow. Our simple,
affordable bicycle power kits offer this technology practically to anyone.
Electric Vehicles For The Wild
(article by Ray Walters, reprinted from Taos Green Guide)
I was showing our latest electric ATV to a local skeptic, and his question
was "Why?"
I answered, "Because I love off -roading even though I'm a solar
guy. We're running out of oil, and they're closing more remote areas to
vehicles because of the noise, pollution, and devastation they create."
"So?" he asked.
"So, electric vehicles get more traction and less tire
spin, they have more torque, they can't stall on a hill,
you don't have to use a clutch ...And ..," I paused for emphasis.
"No Noise, No Pollution!"
He still thought I was an idiot, but this is America, right?
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So, what ARE the down sides of this "wonder" transportation?
- the 20 to 50 mile range. That's it.
You can't go as far as a gas engine vehicle without recharging. Solar
panels can allow the vehicle to recharge anywhere, but it takes time.
Plug in chargers can do the job in an hour, but if you're in the outback,
where are you going to plug in? If you add more batteries, then the vehicle
gets too heavy , slow, and cumbersome for the average rider. Basically,
we are still waiting (100 years now) for better battery technology to
make electric vehicles mainstream. They're out there: Lithium Ion, Nickel
metal hydride, nickel zinc, fuel cells... all could allow EVs to match
the range and weight of regular machines; they're just too expensive.
Otherwise, we have fixed all the other problems holding EVs back.
Most people don't realize that electric vehicles have moved Americans
around since the 19th century. Most motorized delivery vehicles in
New York City in 1910 were electric! Trolleys, subways, most commuter
trains, were and still are electric. Diesel locomotives actually just
use the diesel engine to generate electricity to drive the.... (yep!)
electric motors. Electric motors have more torque, more control, and
fewer moving parts, and don't need a power robbing transmission
either. We use electric motors every day: in power tools, CD players,
computers, kitchen appliances, even to start the gasoline engine in your
car!
In spite of the range, who could ride around on our current electric
off road vehicles?
- Hunters (remember, no noise?), forest rangers, ranchers, farmers, or
anyone with many starts and stops (you don't have to keep restarting
and shutting off the engine).
- Serious rock crawlers who want the ultimate in traction, torque, and
throttle control.
- Kids who don't want to annoy the neighbors while having lots of fun.
- Disabled people who don't now have a chance to see much of America's
wild beauty.
Instead of closing more trails, imagine small, silent, clean EVs sharing
existing trails with bicycles and horses. Imagine enjoying the sounds
of nature even while riding. Imagine clean air for all of us and the forest
creatures. Imagine all of us enjoying America and Mother Nature together
as one...Well quit imagining, because from motorcycles to street legal
four wheel drives, the electric vehicle future is here in Taos now.
Copyright 2009, SolarRay, Inc.
All rights reserved
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