When the Silicon Valley chapter of the Electric Auto Association held its first electric vehicle rally 37 years ago, the cars were a curiosity. These days, with all-electric automaker Tesla setting up a powertrain plant in Palo Alto and President Barack Obama calling for a million electric vehicles on the nation’s roads by 2015, they’re on the verge of becoming big business.
Today, dozens of electric cars from past and present will roll — quietly — onto the Palo Alto High School campus for this year’s rally. Visitors shouldn’t expect a preview of the coming wave of mass-produced electric cars, said Jerry Pohorsky, president of the chapter. Instead, the event will present a snapshot of a diverse and still largely grassroots industry on the eve of its coming of age… Details
Most people picture an oddly-shaped, pretty slow machine that has a limited traveling range when they think of an electric vehicle. Even if they imagine the Tesla Roadster Sport that makes it to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, that’s weak sauce compared to some of the EVs that show up at the events held by the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA).
The association was formed in 1997, and has…Â Details
The success of the TTXGP for electric motorcycles held on the Isle of Man on June 12 has quickly spawned a world championship, feeder series in the UK and United States, a UKP10,000 Technical Package for teams, and the likelihood that a complete electric racing bike will be on the market in Q1, 2010 for under USD40,000. Having been sanctioned by the governing body for motorcycle racing, (the FIM) to create a world championship in 2010, TTXGP founder Azhar Hussain is working to create both a five-race global series with rounds in Europe, Asia and the Americas. A four-round U.K. National series and three-round American National series for 2010 are being planned, with the biggest news being the availability of a technology starter pack later this year – the UKP10,000 kit will include an AGNI electric racing motor, race batteries, controllers and all electronics – just add your own frame and running gear… Details
Zero Motorcycles of Santa Cruz, California announced its third model, the Zero DS, rounding out its model line with the addition of a dual-sport. The new bike, with longer-travel suspension and knobby tires, is similar to the Zero S supermoto we had a chance to ride in April, but gives Zero customers the ability to blitz fire roads, trails and other rugged terrain, as long as it’s not more than 50 miles from a 110-volt outlet.
Judging from the specs, the Zero uses the same basic frame, suspension, bodywork and other components as the S. Important differences include…Â Details