NOTE: RE: AD QUALITY: The
advertising directly above and some other places on this web site is
generated by Google AdSense. If you are concerned that the advertisement
or quality of the content looks..... to good to be true (for example -
about oil or stock),
well, write to Google and tell them!
https://www.google.com/adsense/
20
Year
Lithium-ion
battery
invented
-
Mr.
Oil
says,
"Say
it
ain't
so"
with
his
money
February
05,
2010
Get an
electric car
Talking
with Marques
McCammon
- Chief
Marketing
Officer for
Aptera
Motors -
February 03,
2010 -
byplug.com -
by B. Neal
Henderson
RE: Aptera
Motors is a
bit of a
mystery so
let's ask
some
questions.
image(s)
credit:
Aptera
Motors
Time to get
up, get
breakfast
started,
check the
stock
markets for
any weird
fluctuations,
read the
news via
Google
headlines
and
somewhere in
there, check
to see if
there is any
new Aptera
Motors
information.
After all, I
have a
deposit on
an Aptera
2e.
Usually most
electric car
news is the
same news,
in a new
wrapper, put
out by
another
media outlet
that has
changed a
few words
and
regurgitated
the story to
make it
appear like
the latest
scoop.
With Aptera
Motors,
there is a
lot of
speculation
and minimal
information
out there
and that
leads to
plenty of
questions.
So, what do
you do if
you have
Aptera
questions?
Go and ask
someone who
has some
Aptera
answers.
I listened
to Marques
McCammon
speak at the
'LIFE Senior
Learning
Group' at MiraCosta
College in
Oceanside,
California
back in
January.
After the
presentation,
I introduced
myself,
talked for a
few minutes
and
suggested we
get together
sometime in
the future
so that I
would be
able to ask
some
additional
questions
and just get
to know
Marques.
Yesterday,
Marques and
I met for a
very
informational
lunch
meeting.
Marques
and I talked
about
everything
from rear
suspension,
employees,
parts, bill
of
materials,
time frames,
final
pricing and
more. He
suggested
that some
aspects of
the company
could not be
detailed
because of
negotiations
and during
the
conversation
he even gave
up some
information
that he
suggested
should
remain
confidential
for now (and
it will).
Per our last
byplug piece
about the
'LIFE Senior
Learning
Group' at MiraCosta
College in
Oceanside on
January 22,
Marques
wrote:
"Thanks for
sending the
link. The
piece came
off nicely.
I will offer
one comment
though. My
words on
timing were
directional.
I cannot
offer detail
on timing
until we
close our
fundraise.
And our
costs to
launch the
company will
be less than
the quarter
billion
dollar mark
that I
suggested. Just
want to make
sure that I
don't
mislead
anyone."
Yesterday,
after the
lunch,
Marques sent
a new
picture (top
of article)
of the
Aptera
chassis
development
mule. He
wrote: "This
picture is
of our
chassis
development
mule.
Internally
this vehicle
is regarded
as pp8.
Don’t get
nervous, the
scoop on the
roof is not
intended for
production,
and yes this
vehicle is a
pure EV.
This vehicle
demonstrates
the chassis
system that
was
described in
the last
newsletter."
As
a deposit
holder for a
2e, I am
currently a
member of
apteraforum.com
and have
been quietly
selecting
and
collecting
questions
from some of
the posts
via a cut
and paste to
my notes. I
must say
that during
the
conversation,
I asked
questions
based on my
experience
with
composite
construction.
We discussed
shipping
finished
bodies,
startups,
management,
safety,
lawsuits,
building
cars,
concerns
about
delays,
bumpers
front and
rear,
investors
and the long
term impacts
of delays
now for a
better
product and
safety
issues.
So, the
bottom line.
The
conversation
with Marques
answered
many of the
questions
that I have
at this time
as a deposit
holder for
an Aptera
2e.
Here is a
question:
How did I
feel after
the
conversation
with Marques
regarding
the Aptera
2e?
My electric
car deposit
is still
with Aptera.
Aptera
newsletter:
January 2010
- Vol. 2 :
Issue 1 - In
This Issue
- Fambro
leads from
boardroom
-
Manufacturing
VP steps
down
- Tech Talk:
Chassis
- Xprize
Update
image
credit:
Aptera
Motors
Department
of Energy
Announces
Closing of
$1.4 billion
loan
agreement to
Bring
Production
of Nissan
LEAF, Battery
to North
America Loan
used to
modify
Smyrna,
Tenn.,
manufacturing
plant for
production
in 2012
WASHINGTON,
Jan. 28
/PRNewswire-
Today,
Secretary of
Energy
Steven Chu
announced
that the
Department
of Energy
has closed a
$1.4 billion
loan
agreement
with Nissan
North
America,
Inc. The
loan will
support the
modification
of Nissan's
Smyrna,
Tenn.,
manufacturing
plant to
produce the
Nissan LEAF,
a
zero-emission,
all-electric
vehicle, and
the
lithium-ion
battery
packs to
power them.
more
..
"The
Rise of the
Electrics"-
'Perfect
Storm'
Explore the mystery of
freeway
speed - plug-in electric
cars, oil
and finances.
Toyota's
Official
View:
"WE HAVE
ABOUT TEN TO
TWELVE YEARS
LEFT!"
Peak Oil By
2017 - 2020:
(byplug
comment: oil
will
continue to
get very
expensive)
(byplug
comment:
Jim Lentz is
president
and chief
operating
officer of
Toyota Motor
Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc.
WOW!
...peak oil
between 2017
- 2025.
Jim's peak
prediction
window
starts just
7 years from
now! ...from
an auto
executive!
(some say we
have already
hit peak
oil.)
plan ...get
an electric
car.)
What do you
think?
Here are two
videos:
Does
anything
they say
make sense?
Consuming
world
resources
(part
5 of
8
part
series)
Averaging
the
world
wage
"Aptera
Charges Up"
January 22,
2010 -
Marques
McCammon,
CMO for
Aptera
Motors -
Lectures -
MiraCosta
College,
Oceanside,
CA -
byplug.com -
by B. Neal
Henderson
Preface:
Aptera
Motors has
had a rough
time in the
media lately
regarding
delays,
funding,
design and
other
issues.
Plug-in
electric car
early
adopter
customers
are waiting
for their
dream Aptera
vehicles and
growing
impatient.
That said,
as an early
reservation
holder for
an Aptera 2e
and a member
of www.apterforum.com,
I was
particularly
interested
in not just
the current
talking
points but,
specifically
questions
regarding
issues like
finished
Aptera 2e
weight, the
new body
design
progress and
most
importantly,
delivery of
finished customer
cars.
Because I
have 'skin
in the
game', I
went to this
lecture/presentation
seeking
answers and
to be
convinced
progress
continues at
Aptera
Motors.
After
listening to Aptera's
Chief
Marketing
Officer,
Marques
McCammon,
explain the
"vision" and
address some
of the
issues
regarding
real world
automotive
production,
including
competitor
plans and
histories, I
am convinced
that Aptera
is indeed
working
toward a
more refined, long-term
product, and
unfortunately,
that takes
time. My
personal
experience
with
composite
car
construction
made me
realize that
until you
actually
take the
project
design from
plans and a
computer and
get your
hands dirty
with
construction
and road
testing, you
really need
to consider
features
like
bumpers,
driver and
passenger
head room,
detail
features/costs
and
realities.
Sure, some
customers
will say, "just give us
the product
now in the
current form"
and I
understand
the
frustration
but, the
company must
consider the
long-term
ramifications
of quality,
including
perception,
reputation,
safety and
production.
While
sacrificing
now, Aptera
will produce
a better
vehicle for
the long
run.
This
single, less
than an
hour,
communication
answered
many of my
questions
and renewed
my
convictions
that this
project is
the most
innovative
design in
progress
today and is
moving
forward.
Now, while
the
presentation
did not
specifically
address the
details
like: Aptera's
current website seems
out-of-date
and the
Aptera
newsletters
are few and
far between, the
presentation
was very
informational.
Picture
below:
During the
presentation,
I noticed
that in one
of the
pictures,
the latest
Aptera body
was being
constructed.
So far, most
of us have
only seen
pieces of
the new
designs.
That picture
really
answered my
question
about the
new overall
shape of the
body, the
incorporated
feature
designs, and
the progress
and
probability
of it
testing
soon.
After the
presentation,
I introduced
myself and
asked
Marques if
he "would
let me post
the
picture". He
explained
that it was
going to
come out in
an Aptera
Newsletter
in about a
week or so
but said
that he
would send
it to me via
email and I
could
"scoop" him.
The picture
was in my
email
when I
arrived
home.
image
credits:
Aptera
Motors
Marques
McCammon,
Chief
Marketing
Officer for
Aptera
Motors was
the guest
speaker for
the 'LIFE
Senior
Learning
Group' at
MiraCosta
College in
Oceanside,
California
today.
Energy
resources,
aerodynamics
incorporated
into vehicle
design for
low drag and
high mileage
were among
the topics
of today's
'Aptera
Charges Up'
presentation.
The intimate
class
lecture
style
presentation
lasted about
50 minutes
covering the
consumption
of world oil
resources
and building
into the
concept,
designs and
history of
the Aptera
company and
vision.
McCammon
credited the
early
founders of
Aptera,
Steve Fambro
and Chris
Anthony with
their unique
vision and
spoke highly
of their
innovative
ideas. The
early
designs of
the Aptera
Mark 0 have
constantly
improved and
evolved into
the Aptera
2e with the
final
production
version
sporting a more
spacious
body design
that
incorporates
real
automotive
world
problem
solutions.
The process
of these
re-designs
and
refinements
have delayed
the Aptera
launch but
have taken
Aptera
closer to a
place it
needs to be
to compete
for the long
term and
lead in
today's ever
more
competitive
plug-in
electric and
hybrid
automotive
marketplace.
McCammon
went on to
explain that
when he
worked at
Chrysler, he
worked on
the launch
of the Dodge
Neon. He
said that
Chrysler had
invested
almost a
billion
dollars to
just get the
Neon program
rolling. In
contrast,
Aptera will
require
about $250
million to
have the
entire
company
in their
optimal
market
space.
The price
for the
Aptera would
still range
from $25K for
a 'basic
model' and
depending on
configuration
and options,
one could
spend $40K to
$45K for
a loaded
example.
Q and A
session:
During
McCammon's
remarks, he
said that
Aptera
Motors
currently
employs
about 30
people and
is moving to
a location
in North San
Diego
County,
still a
neighbor to
Vista but
could not be
more
specific
about the
details at
this time.
During the
question and
answer
session,
McCammon
predicted
the finished
vehicle
weight to be
around 1800
pounds.
Concerning
cost
savings,
"Why
reinvent the
wheel?"
explained
McCammon as
he addressed
engineering
costs and
designs. On
more
traditional
automotive
part
applications,
to keep
design and
engineering
costs lower,
the plan is
that Aptera
will
purchase
existing
automotive
parts
directly
from
manufacturers
that have
already done
the
engineering
and
currently
produce the
part. As an
example,
McCammon
listed the
steering
wheel for
the Aptera
which is the
same as a
Chevrolet
Malibu and
would be
purchased
from an OEM
directly to
Aptera.
(Great idea
in my book,
costs are
lower,
speeds
production
and time to
market.)
McCammon
also
explained
that the
finished
model plan
is to
have a
single speed
gearbox with
3 drive
states,
selectable
by the
driver for
overall
performance.
Depending on
your
selection,
McCammon
explained
that the
vehicle
exhibits
tremendous
torque that
is available
right from
the get go.
Recorded
times of
less than 10
seconds
going from 0
to 60 miles
an hour and
even less
than 8
seconds if
you are in a
performance
mode.
For those
concerned
with the
stability of
a three-wheel-vehicle,
McCammon
explained
that the
Aptera
design now
incorporates
a newer,
single rear-wheel
suspension
and geometry
that handles
roll and yaw
characteristics.
As a
reservation
holder, I am
interested
in delivery
of an Aptera
specific to
a
reservation
number. I
asked
McCammon
about
delivery. He
explained
that Aptera
Motors would
like to have
six retail
locations in
place the
first day that
Aptera
launches the
first
vehicles in
California.
Delivery of
the first
Aptera is
currently
planned
around the
end of this
year, 2010
and a
modified
more
aggressive
production
volume 'ramp
up' plan in
2011 would
make up for
delays
suffered
earlier.
bnh -
byplug.com
Oh Yes...
and .....GET
AN ELECTRIC
CAR.
The
rendering picture
below
reflects
some
changes
from the
original
Aptera
design but,
remains
absolutely
beautiful..
..now
build it!
Aptera 2e
reservations
available -
link:
www.aptera.com
Back to
electric
cars in a
second...
What do you
think? This
has to be
said again:
Subject:
Fwd: Time
Has Come -
28th
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congress members could retire
with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws.
The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...in all of its' forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law (hmmmm?). I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States".
When you
think about
an electric
car... Do
you think
about this
next topic?
Yes? No?
Maybe? ...
What do you
think? (byplug
comment:
U.S.
National
Debt, DEBT
OIL (FOREIGN
OIL)
dependence,
weaker
dollar and
'Trouble' in
foreign
lands. That
'trouble'
may also be
listed under
a completely
different
headline
such as the
U.S. needs
to go 'in'
because ..
'Terrorism
strikes' or
'Terrorism
might
strike' or
'Terrorism
potentially
could be
striking...
or could
become a
Terror Hub'
or 'Rebels
causing
problems to
other
governments'
...and of
course the
U.S. needs
to help
because of
Democracy
and the
goodness of
our
hearts"..
you may or
may not
agree, just
asking you
to think.
so... read
the
headlines...What do you
think?
.. see
picture
below:)
(byplug
comment:
What is
true? Can we
handle the
truth?
We, YOU,
need to
plan. Plan
and purchase
a freeway
speed,
commuter
electric
car.)
Slow
electric
cars?
Freeway
Speed
plug-in
electrics go
both ways
(slow and
fast) and
don't clog
the issue,
or the
road.
IEA sees
world oil
use in 2010
highest
since 2007
Published:
17 Jan 2010
LONDON, Jan
15 - Global
oil demand
this year
will reach
the highest
level since
2007, with
rising
consumption
led by
faster
growth in
emerging
economies in
Asia, the
International
Energy
Agency said
on Friday.
more
...
You have
mail -
January 14,
2010
I’m
going
to
get
straight
to
the
point
of
this
email.
We
imported
4.35
billion
barrels
of
oil
in
2009
at a
cost
of
over
half
a
million
dollars
per
minute.
Yes,
you
read
that
correctly.
4.35
BILLION
barrels
imported
in
2009.
Over
$500,000
dollars
spent
per
MINUTE
on
foreign
oil.
That’s
another
$265
BILLION
siphoned
out
of
America’s
struggling
economy,
and
we
still
haven’t
adopted
a
real
energy
plan
to
reduce
our
dependence
on
foreign
oil.
email
source:
T.
Boone
Pickens
New Report
Published -
Saudi Arabia
Oil And Gas
Report
Q1 2010 -
Published on
January 13,
2010 by
Press
Office
- LONDON,
ENGLAND
...For 2009
as a whole,
we have
assumed an
average OPEC
basket price
of US$59.00
per barrel
(bbl), a
37.3%
decline
year-on-year
(y-o-y).
This
represents
an upgrade
from the
US$55.00/bbl
forecast we
were using
in the
previous
quarter.
For 2010,
we expect to
see a
significant
oil price
recovery
to
US$83.00/bbl
for the OPEC
basket
price,
gaining
further
ground
to US$85.00
in 2011 and
to
US$90.00/bbl
in 2012 and
beyond.
more ..
(byplug
comment: Why
couldn't the
paragraph
above really
read like
this: For
2010, we
expect to
see a
significant
United
States
national
debt
increase,
when our
exported
debt oil
increases to
US$83.00/bbl
for the OPEC
basket
price,
and United
States
national
debt
continuing
to increase
even beyond
that as
our debt oil
continues
gaining
further
ground
to US$85.00
in 2011 and
to
US$90.00/bbl
in 2012 and
beyond.)
Energy
Resources:
China
replaces
Saudi Arabia
in Caribbean
oil storage
deal
China has
taken over
from Saudi
Arabia the
lease of a
giant crude
oil storage
facility in
the
Caribbean
that gives
Beijing
unprecedented
access to
fuel and oil
markets in
the
Americas,
including
the United
States and
Canada,
officials
said.
...China has
set eyes on
other
refining
acquisitions,
including
some in the
United
States.
more
..
Chevy Volt
test drive
video
Ok, so
you read or
hear about
international trouble. U.S.
National
Debt, DEBT
OIL (FOREIGN
OIL)
dependence,
weaker
dollar and
'Trouble' in
foreign
lands.
Venezuela,
Yemen,
Nigeria, and
Saudi Arabia
just to name
a few - on
the net, in
papers and
on TV. It is
interesting
how that
'trouble' is
in the same
geographic
locations or
bordering
locations as
DEBT OIL
imports and
DEBT OIL
interests.
1.)
National
Security
threat. That
'trouble'
could be
listed as
"The United
States is
now 60% -
70%
dependent on
DEBT OIL and
presents a
major U.S.
economic
problem
if the DEBT
OIL flow is
disrupted in
any small way".
2.)
That
'trouble'
may also be
listed under
a completely
different
headline
such as the
U.S. needs
to go 'in'
because ..
'Terrorism
strikes' or
'Terrorism
might
strike' or
'Terrorism
potentially
could be
striking or
building' or
'Rebels
causing
problems to
other
governments'
...and of
course the
U.S. needs
to help
because of
Democracy
and the
goodness of
our
hearts"..
3.)
hey,
American
voters and
tax
payers...
1+1 = 2
...not 5.
JUST THE
FACTS: Ask
yourself
this
question: if
the U.S. was
not in debt,
NOT
DEPENDENT on
DEBT OIL or
DEBT energy
solutions
and the U.S.
had more
manufacturing
here in the
United
States
creating
more of our
own
jobs/products,
would the
U.S. be as
INTERESTED
in these
foreign
geographic
locations?
Would the
U.S. be able
to make
better
national
decisions
without such
large
compromises
because of
DEBT OIL and
debt
consumer
products
with other
governments?
What happens
when the
U.S. is not
the
'sanctioning'
body but,
instead, the
U.S. is the
one being
'sanctioned'?
HERE
IS A TOOL
FOR YOU:
...simply
click on the
LINK or
world
picture
below for an
Interactive
DEBT OIL
import tool
that shows
foreign
imported
energy over
the years -
it has an
automatic
mode and a
slider that
allows you
to 'see' the
growing U.S.
dependence
on DEBT OIL.
PLEASE NOTE:
..the
thickness of
the line
indicates
the
dependence
increase or
decrease
from location....
YOU CAN ALSO
PICTURE THAT
THESE SAME
LINES THAT
CONNECT THE
COUNTRIES TO
SHOW 'DEBT
OIL'
IMPORTS...ARE
SHOWING
UNITED
STATES
DOLLARS and
JOBS LEAVING
THE COUNTRY
TO THOSE
FOREIGN
LOCATIONS.
**You might
also
remember
interesting
news stories
of the past
and events
that
correspond
with the
past
'locations'
or
'bordering
locations'
that DEBT
OIL used to
flow from.
Also, use
the tool for
today's
political
headlines
and make
some
comparisons.
Do you think
Saudi Arabia
gets
preferential
political
treatment?
..check it
out:
LINK
- be a true
patriot -
lower U.S.
debt -
Electric
cars 'burn'
United
States
electricity'
-
American
dollars/jobs
stay here -
plan and
purchase a
freeway
speed,
commuter
electric
car.
source:
pickensplan.com
GM to make
Cadillac
Converj
electric car
Alisa
Priddle
/
The
Detroit
News
-
Detroit
--
It's
official:
the
Cadillac
Converj
will
be
the
second
extended-range
electric
vehicle
that
General
Motors
Co.
will
sell
after
the
Chevrolet
Volt.
more
...
Remember
-
VOTE WITH
YOUR WALLET
January
07,
2010
regular
unleaded
gasoline
-
Escondido,
CA
Ford
Mustang
gets
bigger
engine!
"Hang
on
to
your
seats,
the
acceleration
is
going
to
be
fantastic!"
...of
the
car?
...or
the
price
of
oil
this
summer?
...or
the
gas
money
leaving
your
wallet?
-
buying
foreign
oil
=
U.S.
national
debt.
BUYING
GASOLINE
AND
FOREIGN
OIL =
INCREASED U.S.
DEBT
U.S.
NATIONALDEBTCLOCK
BELOW:
(wow,
that is
a bill
and it
will
come due
one way
or
another.
Be a
true
patriot
and plan for your electric car. Electric cars use American dollars
for energy - not foreign oil and gasoline. Every electric car will
help.)
The
Outstanding
Public
Debt as
of 07
Jan 2010
at
12:25:05
AM GMT
is
ABOVE:
The
National
Debt has
continued
to
increase
an
average
of $3.97
billion
per day
since
September
28,
2007!
Concerned?
Then
tell
Congress
and the
White
House!
source
is: www.brillig.com
Morning
coffee with
Patrick (and
his Tesla)
January 06,
2010 - B.
Neal
Henderson -
hour ago
At
the local
Fourbucks
coffee shop,
while
enjoying a
morning
coffee,
Patrick
Duffy and
his faithful
passenger
(his dog),
quietly
hushed up
alongside my
car this
morning in
his Tesla
Roadster. I
could not
help but
admire his
Tesla and we
talked for a
while.
Patrick's
Tesla has a
display
feature that
allows the
driver to
program the
replaced
vehicle
mileage with
the gasoline
saved by
driving a
Tesla
Roadster.
Patrick
replaced a
vehicle that
averaged 13
MPG with his
Tesla.
Here
is an image
of the
current
vehicle
stats since
replacement:
0-60
MPH in about
3.8 seconds!
Yes, the
Tesla is
expensive
and you
could buy
lots of
gasoline for
the
difference
in vehicle
costs but,
Patrick is
an early EV
adopter and
he is now
using
American
energy
dollars to
power his
transportation.
When these
vehicles and
this
technology
become more
efficient
and less
expensive,
this single
example
speaks for
itself.
(Patrick,
for your
friend with
the Prius
and 70 MPH
all electric
driving and
battery
conversion,
here is
information
about the
Prius
conversion
company run
by Kim
Adelman
called
pluginconversions.com.
link
Also,
Patrick,
additional
Prius
plug-in
conversion
information
and videos
located here
about half
way down the
page.
http://www.byplug.com/news_3.html)
Very nice to
meet you,
see you
again for
coffee.
Aptera test mules spotted in Vista, CA.. January 05, 2010 - B. Neal Henderson - hours ago An Aptera 'tester' was spotted in Vista today. We saw 2 Apteras, one without the front wheel pants that appeared to have a narrow width and one with wheel pants that appeared to have a wider stance. Both Apteras were driving without the rear wheel cover as well. The rear wheel cover would not fit on this model because of the hose like apparatus located on the drivers side of the rear wheel.
image credit - bnh - byplug.com
Note the drop down belly pan running along the bottom of the same vehicle. image credit - bnh - byplug.com
image credit - bnh - byplug.com
image credit - bnh - byplug.com
image credit - bnh - byplug.com
As scrappy as this Aptera tester might look to some, I think it is absolutely beautiful. Can I buy one just like this right now?
Oil is up, again.. Wake up America..
Get an electric car
We need to create new jobs. December 30, 2009 - NOW!, we need to see 2.75% to 3% - 30 year - no fee - fixed mortgages throughout the United States. We need US manufactured electric vehicles and new (inside this nation) technologies and manufacturing to DRAG us out of the news below...
Looky here.. December 30, 2009 - I don't know about the rest of you but according to zillow.com, my own home is currently dropping at a rate of $7000.00 dollars per month.. I just found out that my auto insurance just went up about 45-50% (no tickets, no changes) this year here in California (to help offset.... hmmm...OTHER drivers?) .. As I drove by my local gasoline station today, unleaded fuel was up 6 cents a gallon overnight from $2.83 to $2.89 and I noticed that it did not drop below $2.80 per gallon this Christmas..
The United States is going further and further into debt.. ...and stepping up debt sales. We need some positives..
Get an electric car.
Chevy Volt - Jay Leno's garage.
Jay always does a nice job with an interview. Enjoy.
The movies...
..it's all about telling a story... Avatar is here.. Lot's of metaphors to choose from, love the messages...this picture raises the bar.
How dependent are we, the United States, on foreign oil? History says: Japan's War Fate Depends on Oil Pay-Per-View - Chicago Tribune - ProQuest Archiver - Mar 31, 1935
In other words, the operation of the Japanese navy! especially in war time, on foreign oil supply. If the United States, Great Britain, and Russia, ...
History says: US DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL Pay-Per-View - Los Angeles Times - ProQuest Archiver - Aug 3, 1976
Project Independence has bogged down; the United States is more heavily dependent on foreign oil than at the time of the Arab embargo three years ago...
Today
The United States imported about 57% of the petroleum, which includes crude oil and refined petroleum products, that we consumed during 2008. Nearly half of these imports came from the Western Hemisphere. Our dependence on foreign petroleum is expected to decline in the next two decades. source: Energy Information Administration.
(byplug comment: With all due respect.....
we've been told "..our dependence on foreign petroleum is expected to decline"........for YEARS! There are figures 'out there' that suggest our imported oil is more like 70%. Oh look here's one...)
source: pickensplan.com
(byplug comment: Let's consider the sources for the above information - The Energy Information Administration and Pickensplan.com. Follow the money, what are they selling? Oil is buying political will. Either way, it is time to get an electric car.)
First of
all, let's
just get
this out
there... The
Aptera 2e
concept is
just about
the coolest
electric
vehicle on
the planet
and really
defines
ideas about
transportation
that I have
been trying
to describe
(in the form
of owning
and driving
an electric
car) for
some time.
That being
said, it was
another
sunny day
here on
Wednesday in
California
after some
really hard
rains on
Monday.
I had to
make a few
cell phone calls
so I decided
to stop in Vista.
I thought
that I would
sit in my
car on Scott
Street in
front of the
Aptera
corporate
office and
use the time
to talk
while
visually
answering
some of the
Aptera
questions in
my mind. With
all of the
speculation
and
regurgitation
in the media
headlines, I
too, seemed
to be slowly
losing my
'try to keep
it positive'
attitude
about Aptera.
All you have
to do is
search the
internet
using your
computer or
phone under
the 'News'
section of
your
favorite
search
engine,
keyword:
Aptera.....
hit
enter.....
and BAM!
The
media
examples
above are
how I have
seen Aptera
lately. My
interest is
peaked and
so, I detour
to Vista. I
too wonder
what the
heck is
going on
there, after
all, I am an
early
reservation
holder with
a cash
deposit for
a basic Aptera 2e
(all
electric) so
I have skin
in the game
and I too
have been
reading this
news.
I should say
that I am
also an
Apteraforum.com
member and
try to keep
up with the
speculation
and scraps
that the
members pick
up in the
media and
post. For
the most
part, the
forum
members try
to stay as
positive as
they can be
at this
point but
they are
subjected to
this same
'news' and
'I feel
their (our)
pain' as we
look for
more current
information.
I was lucky
enough to
tour the
Aptera
facility in
Vista as a
guest of the
Vista
Chamber last
year where I
met Kathy of
Aptera. I
attended a
San Diego
Kick Off and
have
followed the
Aptera story
from early
on through
the many
delays.
I know who
the Aptera
founders
are, I sift
through the
Aptera
Google
Alerts in my
box and have
emailed
contacts at
Aptera and
even
corresponded
with Paul
Wilbur in an
email about
the 'now
infamous'
roll down
windows.
So, while I
was driving
today, I
detoured
through
Vista.
Parked and
while
talking on
my cell
phone, what
should
appear, a
cool white
test sleigh
(no
reindeer). I
sprang to my
camera...
and fumbled
it for what
seemed like
forever and
finally
snapped a
passenger
side shot.
This Aptera
is an
interesting
test car
because it
has an
exposed rear
wheel, a
modified
front end
with upper
hood venting
and
different
small round
headlights
in the front
bumper
area... it
also
features a
McLaren
styled roof
scoop.. and
is that a
belly
channel? for
? batteries?
exhaust?
hybrid?
My
detour and
total take
away from
this brief Aptera
viewing
experience
during the
course of
some cell
phone calls
was very
positive.
Aptera
seemed to be
active,
there were
indeed cars
in front of
Aptera
corporate,
about
sixteen or
so and
people
appeared to
be coming
and going. I
saw and
captured a
picture of a
new test
mule driving
on the
street that
I have not
seen in the
media and
.... Oh, ...
did I
mention that
I know who
the founders
are and what
they look
like,
well....
Steve F. has
a Prius
because I
saw him get
out of it at
Aptera
during a
past visit.
A same
color/year
Prius was
parked in
the Aptera
parking lot
today A.M.
in front on
the left
side of the
building and
I saw him
(Steve or
his exact
double) come
out of the
building and
move the
Prius
through the
Aptera
security
gate to the
back of
Aptera
corporate
out of
sight! Is he
back?
( byplug
comment: I
believe that
any truthful
and positive
input to the
media
through
marketing
and constant
communication
is part of
the program.
It sets the
mood. The
internet
news machine
today -
regurgitates
- picks up
this stuff
and spins it
new again.
Negative
becomes new
again
tomorrow
but, so does
positive, it
just seems
that
positive
news is harder to
make into
entertainment.
Success is
in the
details.
Today, I had
to try to
dig out some
positive
vibes myself
with the Aptera
detour. It
worked for
me! You go
Aptera! )
Automakers Unveil Significant World and
North American Debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LOS ANGELES - Sept. 29, 2009 - A cautiously optimistic automotive industry will kick off the North American auto show season by launching all-new vehicles and featuring ground-breaking technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show's press days Dec. 2-3. The show will open to the public Dec. 4-13.
>> Filed
under:
Trouble
Ahead: .. or
how to get
an electric
car...
byplug.com
is NOT a fan
of debt. GET
OUT OF DEBT!
But if you
have
mortgage
debt
already, how
about a
program for
YOU
finally...how
about a
re-distribution
of YOUR
existing
debt to get
more
benefits for
our country
and national
security?
Tell your
friends. As
a taxpayer,
we force
Fannie and
Freddie to
offer a 3%
refinance
mortgage to
qualified
homeowners
for the sake
of the
economy.
Private
mortgage
lenders will
have to
follow to be
competitive.
More monthly
money to the
economy.
Banks then
finance the
new electric
cars for
cash flow
and to help
offset the
interest
cut.
Seems these
days, if
someone else
is working
the system
or won't or
can't pay
for
education,
medical,
insurance,
mortgages or
just about
any major
expense,
YOU will
pay for them
- in
increased
tuition,
premiums,
fees and
more..!
...and it is
getting
worse!..
Today's
news... I
call it
'One in
four'
...
Today, now,
current...
November,24,
2009
Here is
my Solution:
Finance
brand new
electric
cars with
the
re-distributed
existing
mortgage
debt. Get
more for
your debt.
Here it is.
How about a
Mortgage
Sale! Hey
America,
make
available a
3% Home
Mortgage for
good credit
qualified
buyers. Now,
electric car
buyers use
the monthly
savings to
finance
their new
electric
cars through
the same
banks. Some
of the
benefits
include: A
lower
monthly
mortgage
payment, a
new electric
car in the
driveway, an
avenue to
finance new
electric
cars faster
creating
more
American
jobs, now
Americans
will use
more
American
energy by
using
American
electricity
and burning
less
imported
(energy)
gasoline
which will
in turn
lower our
national
debt, we
will have
more
disposable
monthly
income for
the general
economy and
will reduce
our
dependence
on imported
oil. ....and
we will not
be subjected
to pay for
the trouble
ahead....and
there is
trouble.......
...oh, and
by the way
the clip
directly
above is
today,
now... 'One
in four' ...
the clip
below was
only -
six months
ago....
in May, 2009....it was.....ready....wait for it......
..... 'One
in five'....
that was 6
months ago!
....getting
better?....NO......
Now are you
a little
disturbed?
Now are you
ready? Now
do you care?
....because
if THEY
can't
pay..........YOU
will.....or
will it take
'One in
three' ....
....Oh, here
is one more
clip from
way back in
October,
2009,
....the
September
numbers for
energy and
the trade
gap...
Exxon Chief:
Weak Dollar
Drives Oil
Higher
Tuesday,
November 17,
2009
By: Dan
Weil
Exxon Mobil
CEO Rex
Tillerson
says the
dollar’s
weakness has
added
between $20
and $25 a
barrel to
oil prices.
more ...
Nissan Announces Dates for Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour FRANKLIN, Tenn.
Nissan North
America
announced
that the
Nissan LEAF
zero-emission,
all-electric
car will be
in
Southern California
- San Diego: Nov. 19-21
more
.....
Aptera
Founders
Ousted in
Boardroom
Showdown Wired
News - USA
By Darryl
Siry Aptera
Motors has
ousted
founders
Steve Fambro
and Chris
Anthony,
sources told
Wired,
painting a
picture of a
boardroom
confrontation
between ...
more
...
Up to 120
mile range -
all electric
CODA's new
site live
now.
CODA
Automotive
just
launched its
all new
Website,
www.codaautomotive.com.
Consumers
can learn
not just
about the
CODA, but
about the
important
issues
surrounding
the EV
industry.
Visitors can
check out
new images
of the all
electric
sedan...
more ...
Cadillac
Reportedly
to Build
Electric Car
FOXNews
According to
a report in
the Detroit
News, the
company has
green
lighted the
battery-powered
Converj
coupe, first
shown at the
2009 Detroit
Auto Show.
The edgy 2+2
concept
features the
same
extended-range
electric
powertrain
as the
upcoming
Chevrolet
Volt, though
details on
the supposed
production
version have
not yet been
revealed.
It's likely,
however ...
more
...
>> Filed
under:
Remember
when?
Aptera Electric Car Available
in
“Volume”
by October,
2009
Written by Karen
PeasPublished on January 8th,
2009
Electric Cars
(EVs), Fuel
economy
more..
(byplug
comment:
Aptera WAS
going to
deliver
"Volume
of the 2e in
October of
2009. It is
now
November,
2009.)
It's Official: Aptera 2e And Other
Three-Wheelers Are Cars Now By John Voelcker
-
Editor-in-Chief
- October 16th, 2009
Once President Barack Obama signs the measure, a vehicle with only three wheels can--for the purpose of allocating Department of Energy funds for its Advanced Technology Vehicle program--be considered an automobile....
more
...
(byplug
comment:
FINALLY!
Since we
already gave
almost a
half of a
billion
dollars to
Fisker
Automotive
and a half
of a billion
dollars to
Tesla
Automotive,
let's finish
this measure
(President
Obama). Sign
this measure
quickly and
then immediately
allocate 100
or so
million -
hard earned
American
dollars
through the
DOE funds Vehicle
program to a
company with
an affordable
freeway
speed -
plug-in
electric
like Aptera.
Let the mass
production
begin and
let's get
building
thousands
and hundreds
of thousands
of Aptera
2e's (CARS)
here in
America. Go
Electric car
movement,
goodbye more
foreign oil,
and you GO!
Aptera! This
is BIG
NEWS.)
Slow
electric
cars?
Freeway
Speed
plug-in
electrics go
both ways
(slow and
fast) and
don't clog
the issue,
or the
road.
>>
Filed under media
'Buzz':
'Electric
cars of the
future': The
Nissan LEAF
- Planning,
Marketing
& media.
byplug.com
is proud to
present the 'Golden
Glow of the
Holidays', web
momentum
award. (byplug.com
comment:
Sure,
electric
cars are in
the news
but, the
Nissan LEAF
is
everywhere
these days.
Even though
the LEAF is
not for sale
yet, the
LEAF is
showing up
in the media
under
electric car
news, in
infrastructure
articles for
electric
cars and
even in
forums
dedicated to
other future
electric car
brands. Some
of the other
electric car
forum
members are
saying
things like,
if I have to
wait much
longer on
missed
projections,
I am going
to sign up
to buy a
LEAF,
instead. It
is about
information
and
communication.
We're just
sayin'....The
early bird
gets the
(affordable)
worm. SHIFT_the
way
you
move -
Go
Nissan!)
>>
Filed under
'control the
debt':
What is this
"leasing"
the electric
vehicle or
"leasing
the battery
itself"
stuff that
we are
seeing in
the media.
Let's see,
have we not
heard about
Leasing
electric
cars before
- see:
"Who
Killed the
Electric
Car?".
"Yes
I would like
that truck
over there
but, what?,
I have to
lease the
engine?"
It is called
.....'a
manufacturer's
Warranty'.
Bottom
line:
YOU control
the debt. Pay
off
something
else first
and then
finance the
same or
lower debt
load. YOU
own the
vehicle at
the end! We
have already
seen ' Who
Killed the
Electric
Car? '!
Just say
"NO"
to electric
car leasing
or electric car
battery? leasing!
Green three-wheelers may get Energy Department funding By
Neil Roland,
Automotive
News
autoweek.com
..."Aptera plans to begin mass production of its 2e plug-in electric vehicle in the middle of next year."
(byplug
comment: We
love
Aptera....but,.....wow...)
For
the long run, The People of
the United States should demand with their
wallets, plug-in all electric and hybrid
cars for local commuter
transportation, trucks, infrastructure, movements, links,
sponsors and other plug-in electric devices
to replace foreign oil and eventually harness
domestic solar, wind and other alternative
energy solutions. We promote the
constructive and positive channeling of anger
for 'U.S. no option' high gas prices. We
promote the constructive and positive
channeling of anger for poor and non existing
leadership in current major financial and
automotive markets. We believe in
personal accountability, leadership, less
personal and national debt and more
responsibility. We are a member of the growing
Electric Car Markets, Electric Car
infrastructure, Electric Car Products,
Sponsors and other general Electric Cars
information.