axelrod608

Alternative Energy Storage: It's All About Price vs. Performance

When I was in Asia I used to see boats on the Mekong powered by one cylinder diesel engines with a heavy flywheel. They turned over at an incredibly low RPM yet moved the boats along with or against the current. And they burned about a gallon of diesel a month. I'd love to see something like that powering a generator in a lightweight vehicle.

Which brings up second point - it's absolutely time we redefined the concept of "light" duty vehicles. The four ton duallys and SUV's are today's dinosaurs, or should be. The federales need to suspend all the safety rules and let truly lightweight vehicles on the road. I ride a bicycle on the roads. Do I need an airbag ? Only if I get hit, I guess.

We REALLY need smaller, lighter weight, less thirsty vehicles with small, efficient propulsion systems.

Alternative Energy Storage Is an Investment Tsunami

Many years ago when I was in Asia I used to see boats propelled by one cylinder diesel engines with a heavy flywheel to smooth out the power. They'd run a week on a gallon of diesel. I'd love to see a power plant like that turning a generator in an ultralight weight car.

If the DOT didn't have a million rules, tinkerers would put some really interesting things on the road.