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Old 07-13-2012, 11:12 PM   #20 (permalink)
Grant-53
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
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There are several ways to go depending ong what you are trying to accomplish. My Three Vehicle Solution currently is a Gran Caravan for long trips with the whole family, 4dr Geo Prizm, and a streamlined city bike. GE locomotive engines use diesel engines to power generators for the traction motors. The book 'Solo' chronicles the cross country trip of an electric conversion of a Ford Escort station wagon. The newer small station wagons are space efficient, inexpensive, and can tow a small trailer carrying a diesel generator for longer trips. A combination of lithium batteries, regen braking, and ultracapacitors would be lighter and more suited to stop/go traffic than lead acid batteries. A diesel generator could set up to run on Biodiesel or natural gas depending on availability of fuel. A portable generator is always handy in an emergency.
There are good plans available for trikes that can be adapted to diesel/electric power. The hard part may be defining what the vehicle is meant to accomplish. Consider how we want to use our transportation options in a 21st setting of value management.
Thank you Doug for your offer.
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