Big Bend EV Activities

The Electric Car: The Past Meets The Future

2009-09-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Electric Car: The Past Meets The Future

The Electric Car: The Past Meets The FutureNovaCharge and Green Energy Marketing expand EV charging network to enable electric vehicle charging with theChargePoint Networked Charging Stations throughout Florida.Tallahassee, FL (September 10, 2009) - NovaCharge, the exclusive Southeast authorized channel for ChargePoint™Networked Charging Stations from Coulomb Technologies, today announced a sales distribution agreement with GreenEnergy Marketing & Consulting of Tallahassee. GEMC is a leader in promoting electric transportation and related productsand services in the state of Florida. NovaCharge and GEMC will combine their talents to promote sales and installation ofthe ChargePoint Network to Florida’s businesses, community colleges and universities, electric utilities, and governmentagencies.A kickoff event, The Electric Car: The Past Meets the Future, will be held on September 19 at The Tallahassee Antique CarMuseum in Tallahassee, FL from 11 AM to 2 PM. The public is invited to come see and learn about the vehicles. Featuredat the show will be a 1907 electric Babcock and a 2009 Tesla Roadster. The cars will be charging from the 50MW solararray that powers the museum thus creating an eco-friendly, greenhouse gas-free, charging solution.Sullivan-Fahs and her family (father, mother and teenage daughter) drove their plug-in hybrid vehicle 5,000 miles across thestate last spring teaching automotive technology students, commercial industry, and the public, about electric vehicles.They will make a similar trip this fall HYPERLINK "http://greenenergygemc.com" HYPERLINKwww.greenenergygemc.com This time they will be bringing the ChargePoint Network Charging Stations with them to helpdemonstrate the newest technology in grid-friendly, networked charging stations and the critical role they play in makingthis new EV infrastructure a reality.“Fran is passionate about EV technology and is committed to the successful introduction of the newest generation ofelectric cars," said Helda Rodriguez, president, NovaCharge, LLC. “She is tireless in her efforts to raise awareness andsupport for this major change in transportation.”Where does the family get its ongoing inspiration to take on such challenging projects? The 16-year-old daughter, Joy,describes her feelings about the electric vehicle movement. "My friends and I don't talk about it a lot, but we are worriedabout what our lives will be like with the increasing pollution and greenhouse gases. When I see adults really doingsomething big to help, it gives me hope for my friends and I to have a good life."

Fran Sullivan-Fahs

Mechanical Engineers meet the Electric Vehicle

2009-07-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

American Society of Mechanical Engineers Tallahassee Section hosts Tallahassee Area Electric Vehicle Association

By David Byrne

Tallahassee – June 26, 2009 – As if an all-you-can-eat lunch at the Ole Times Country Buffet wasn’t enough reason to attend, the three dozen attendees at the ASME monthly “lunch-and-learn” meeting had the opportunity to hear a technical discussion from TAEVA secretary Andre Smith and also see a half-dozen or so electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, and hybrids on display.

Even a couple of the wives showed up.

A mostly technical group of ASME members and Electric car enthusiasts came to learn about the benefits of EVs, learn about converting cars to electric, and express their own opinions – and they definitely had their own opinions of what types of vehicles are best suited for travel, economics, and environmental impacts.

As is typical, the owners of the EVs were happy to show off their handiwork – many had done all the work on their own to convert a standard gasoline car into an efficient, quiet EV. After the lunch, the group went out to the parking lot where the weather was hot (100 deg), but no one seemed to mind – because the cars were too! Some of the notable vehicles were:

Ford Ranger pickup EV conversion, which was unveiled by City of Tallahassee Fleet Management on May 13, with a nice vinyl logo wrap.
(http://www.talgov.com/communications/newsdetail.cfm?id=1896)
S-10 pickup, which was also recently converted by the City
Dodge Caravan – converted by TAEVA president Smith.
Motorcycle – converted by Bill Desautel, who did all his own welding and machining
Scooter – shown by Andy Reich, of Falcon EV, which is perfectly suitable for rides around town, and the only vehicle at the site that utilized high capacity Lithium-Ion batteries.

Conversation on the hot lot did focus on issues with batteries. All the car-owners recognized the range limitations of the lead-acid batteries they are using. But the current cost of lithium-ions makes building an EV with them far too expensive. Some reports have projected that the cost will be half, or even a third, as much a year from now, and EV owners are looking forward to the opportunity to extend vehicle range. For example, Desautel’s motorcycle can run about 20 miles. With lithium-ion batteries, he could make the entire ride from his home in northeast Tallahassee to his job in St. Marks, recharge it there, and ride back home.

EV conversions may be a way to create green jobs while protecting the environment. Smith talked about the possibility of starting local businesses that “recycle” old cars with worn engines and convert them to electric. Sponsorship from local businesses is one way to assist with the cost of battery upgrades. Also, Smith recommended membership in the local chapter as a way to keep up on the latest technology and business ideas. For more check TAEVA website at www.taeva.org and the Tallahassee ASME at http://sections.asme.org/tallahassee/ .

Electric Miata in the newspaper and on Tallahassee.com

2009-06-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

Steve Mangum's electric Miata was featured in Tuesdays' Democrat. Full article and pictures. Read all about it at: tallahassee.com | Tallahassee PluckPersona | Tallahassee Democrat

Chapter Meeting Summary

2009-04-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

Our April 7 th chapter meeting was a huge success. The event was open to the public and was held at the City of Tallahassee's Fleet Management facility. The weather was perfect, a cool 55 degrees and windy. At 3:00 PM people and vehicles started to arrive. The lineup of green vehicles included:

2 Prius plug-in hybrids

TCC’s Solar Golf Cart

TPD’s GEM and THINK NEV’s

Dodge Caravan EV conversion

Energy Services Ford Escape Hybrid

Energy Services Honda Hybid

and a Tesla Roadster

Andre Smith the secretary of TAEVA opened the meeting at 3:30 PM with a speech followed by Fran and the Electric Vehicle Initiative. Fran then introduced the special guest Jerry Asher and the Spirit of DC. At 4:00 PM it was a free for all. It was very busy and everyone had many questions. In addition to the cars there were other displays such a table with reprints of articles and charts which were fire-starters for conversation. Another table had advanced EV components: Lithium Ion Batterys and a charger brought in by Steve Pisano who is building a high performance Porsche 912 electric racer in town. The Tesla Roadster was a show stopper, a handsome car and some individuals were fortunate enough to get a ride.

Our host, Terry Lowe, the superintendent of Fleet Management gave everyone a tour of his facilities, including their impressive bio-diesel production facility. Soul vegetarian served up delicious food and drinks while the crowed was emersed in heavy discussions.

Here are some links to media coverage of the event:

Slideshow on Tallahassee.com: (See all 13 photos)

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=CD&Dato=20090407&Kategori=PHOTOS03&Lopenr=904080801&Ref=PH

taeva.org

Tallahassee Area EVA

taeva.org@gmail.com

Chapter Meeting

2009-03-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

TAEVA Chapter Meeting: Tuesday April 7 th. 2009 at 3:00 PM

Location: Fleet Management (map)

Open to the public.
EV's on display
more...
& special guest: Jerry Asher and the Spirit of DC plug-in Hybrid. Jerry is on a whirlwind tour of state capitols ending in DC at the mall during the EPA' s National Sustainable Design Expo.

Please RSVP if you can with attendees to taeva.org@gmail.com

Thanks

taeva.org

CAPS Open House

2009-03-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

We were invited by the Center for Advanced Power Systems, (aka CAPS) to exhibit our Caravan EV conversion at their annual open house. The Mag Lab / CAPS open house is always a success with the locals. The annual event is the only opportunity for residents to tour this advanced science facility. The students and staff always have excellent live demonstrations and exhibits. We had our car parked right in front of the CAPS facility. It was a hit with the staff and students donating their time and many other individuals and families as they entered and left the facility. We were lucky to have picture perfect weather. It was cool, breezy and sunny. With live Bluegrass by “Coon Bottom Creek”. It couldn’t have been a nicer day.