[ExI] cure for global warming

[spike]

>... On Behalf Of Mike Dougherty
Subject: Re: [ExI] cure for global warming

On Sun, Dec 26, 2010 at 6:13 AM, Samantha Atkins <sjatkins at mac.com> wrote:
>> What for?  As a temporary until you can convert most transportation to
electric?  Perhaps.  But electric is the way to go not far down the line.

>... delightfully ambiguous line.  Is electric soon to be the "way to go" or
will it in some future be a way "to go not far" ?

>It made me smile while reading and thought some of the list's other
word-nerds would appreciate that construction.


{8^D

Ja, that is the problem with current electrics: they are the way to go not
far.  Range is a real problem.

At the risk of sounding redundant, look from a mechanical engineering
perspective at all the possibilities in ape-haulers if we just go ahead and
accept lower acceleration potential, lower top speeds, inability to tolerate
rough roads, inability to operate in very high winds.  We have burned into
our brains the notion that a single car must do it all: get us there quickly
in complete comfort, haul four apes, carry groceries or other cargo, go in
*any* weather and be safe in a collision with other Detroits.  

But if we give up one or more of these notions, we can imagine superlights
which get crazy good fuel economy.  But they really don't do it all.  We can
imagine an ape hauler that will keep us dry, even if not necessarily warm,
doesn't require a helmet even if we are not necessarily safe, will get us
there even if not with great alacrity.

If we accept these conditions, good old internal combustion might not be
such a bad deal at all, single cylinder, mature technology, very light
(weighing in at less than a typical street motorcycle) arbitrarily long
range using the existing gasoline distribution infrastructure.  I am
imagining three wheels, two forward, one aft, such as this rig, only
smaller:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/custom-built/persu-mobility-thre
e-wheeler/

spike