- Plug-in cars to the rescue? Like EVs the plug-in hybrids could be used to “shore up” the power grid when needed:
The batteries in thousands of plug-in hybrids, connected to the grid through two-way household outlets, could bridge this gap between generation and delivery. Indeed, some studies estimate utilities might pay EV owners $1,000 to $2,000 a year for using their batteries to help balance and stabilize the grid.
I have used the batteries in our first ev for running an inverter to keep our fridge/freezer going during extended power outages. It was a hack, but useful one all the same. - Steven Miracle, living in neighboring Vermont, is wrapping up work on his EV to enter it in the upcoming Tour de Sol (May 10-14).
- Been meaning to post that Peter has updated his website with more information on the conversion from DC to AC: www.solarvan.co.uk
- Modec Electric Van, from England, has a 100 miles range, a top speed of 50 mph, and over two tons of carrying capacity.
- Some wiki entries to fill in your lunch break reading time: theplug-in hybrid wiki has an article on state of charge manipulation and wikipedia has a large entry on battery EVs
