Recent Comments:
E7 electric taxi makes its debut in the UK {Engadget}
Jul 17th 2008 1:55PM A large number of the taxis in Seattle are are already hybrid. Just because the East coast is 5 years behind the West, don't blame the whole nation. ;)
Dell's Latitude XT tablet goes multi-touch with a free upgrade, offers 128GB SSD for $649 {Engadget}
Jul 14th 2008 7:22PM I'll have to try this out tomorrow when it drops. I've found the Dell XT to be an excellent tablet overall and multitouch capibilities will only add to it. Since we started using tablet PC's some 5 years ago, we've had some pretty large increases in productivity and reductions in project time. I figure our switch to tablets for our on-site inspectors have easily added several hundred thousand dollars to our bottom line annually.
Here's an older case study on how we use Tablets (MS test bed)
http://download.microsoft.com/documents/customerevidence/6814_Johnson_Braud_OneNote_Case_Study.doc
When the Dell XT2 arrives this fall, I'll order a couple the same day. The XT works well, but the lack on the onboard disk drive is troublesome.
Best of the worst: the App Store's hits and misses {Engadget}
Jul 11th 2008 11:07AM The Remote iTunes control sounds exactly like the Windows Moble Sideshow add on to operate media player remotely.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=79f19684-f862-4e02-a2b0-0003b4565f34&DisplayLang=en
In later weeks, I'd love to see a feature and usability comparison between the two apps.
Eee box gets price and package details {Engadget}
Jul 8th 2008 12:36PM If I remember correctly, there's also an optional VESA mount kit that will allow you to bolt this sucker directly to the back of your LCD TV/Plasma/big monitor without issue. That would be nice for slim installs.
2010 Prius revealed, sneakers still a major design influence {Engadget}
Jul 8th 2008 11:48AM Grey:
You know that 90% of all car batteries in the US are already recycled, and in each new car battery contains 60-80% recycled lead and plastic right?
http://www.epa.gov/garbage/battery.htm
There is an environmental consequence for the mining new materials, but we already have a very successful battery recycling program in place, greatly reducing its impact on the environment.
Tesla's Elon Musk promises sub-$30k all-electric car in less than four years {Engadget}
Jun 30th 2008 6:30PM Chris.
"I assume a bunch of these would be straining the current system."
To answer that question, yes and no. Yes if everyone charged their cars from 1pm till 6pm, during peak demand. No if they charged their cars from 9pm till 5am, when there is plenty of excess generation.
Most standard electrical generation plants (barring hydro) operate near their upper capacity both day and night since they aren't easily throttled. That's the reason why at night, many electrical plants send their excess electricity to pump water uphill into reservoirs, so hydro can use the H20 during the day. At night, overall consumption levels drop to a fraction of their daytime usage. Demand billing in CA for example will charge ~$0.18 during peak hours, but closer to $.03 for overnight rates.
The short-lived Toyota Rav 4 EV included a built-in timer to dictate when to start charging from the grid. Most owners set them to run past 10pm. I assume Tesla would do the same for this car.
Tesla's Elon Musk promises sub-$30k all-electric car in less than four years {Engadget}
Jun 30th 2008 4:42PM Chris:
70 amps @ 220 = 14,000 watts
14,000 watts times 3.5 hours = 49,000 watt-hours or 49kWh on your bill.
In my state, WA, that'd cost $.07 per kWh. So the charge would cost $3.43 here. With a 220 mile range, it would cost 1.5 cents per mile in my state. I believe he was quoting California's rates, which would put it close to the 2-3 cents per mile range.
Tesla's Elon Musk promises sub-$30k all-electric car in less than four years {Engadget}
Jun 30th 2008 3:50PM The Tesla Roadster has a 53 kWh battery system. With a 90% conversion rate from your home's AC to the battery's DC, you're looking at around consuming 58 kWh for charging completely drained batteries. The EPA range on the roadster is 220 miles.
According to rates from the DOE, it'd cost this much to fill:
CA: $8.32
WA: $4.29
OH: $5.10
TX: $6.75
Assuming they use the same battery system in this new car, when was the last time you were able to fill up your car for under $10?
The Bill Day giveaway (part 4) - Windows Vista Ultimate {Engadget}
Jun 27th 2008 9:47PM I loves me some vista!
Electric Mercedes-Benz coming in 2010 {Engadget}
Jun 23rd 2008 6:47PM Keep in mind that you'd charge an electric car at night, when power is off peak and regardless of the lack of draw, most powerplants are still operating near their daytime capacity output. That means the coal plants are still spewing the same amount of pollutants at 2am, regardless if anyone is taking their feed. That's why power companies are willing to 'waste' electricity to pump water uphill back into reservoirs at night. They need to send their excess electricity somewhere.
Most off-peak billing is near $0.04 a kWh. Depending on your location, say southern California, the same power during the mid afternoon would cost you $0.18 kWh. Current electrical capacity can more than handle the demand of everyone charging an electric car at night.
