My Perfect Automobile » Retrofits

CNG: 18,000 Garbage Trucks Converted

Larry Bell — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:30:23 +0000

A Waste Management CNG truck

Recycling giant Waste Management, Inc. has just announced that all of its garbage collection trucks will be converted from diesel to compressed natural gas. Following in the footsteps of others, like AT&T and UPS, WM will spend the next few months doing conversions on the 18,342 trucks in an effort to reduce emissions and cut fuel costs. The company’s vice president for fleet and logistics, Eric Woods, said it is a question of smart economics, because the “… payback of natural gas [is] so strong that it dwarfs any other technology.” Now, WM will be saving about $3 per gallon in fuel costs.

Waste Management, Inc. is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and has been in the business of collecting waste and performing environmental services for 118 years, first opening its doors in 1894. When it comes to WM, all of the numbers are big. The firm has more than 20 million residential customers, and nearly 25,000 collection and transfer vehicles, by far the most massive fleet in the waste industry. Not commonly known by the public is the fact that WM owns and operates almost 300 landfill sites, 16 waste-to-energy plants, and a half-dozen power plants.

WM Inc changing over to CNG

With nearly 50,000 employees and yearly revenue in the neighborhood of $12 billion, Waste Management, Inc. is a major part of the U.S. economic landscape, and a global leader in green energy programs. In 2009, WM bought a large stake (40 percent) in a Chinese waste company in order to transfer its technological expertise to the Asian firm, Shanghai Environment Group Co. Ltd. In recent years, WM has been using a national marketing campaign to help explain its mission to the public. The current corporate slogan is, “From everyday collection, to environmental protection, think green. Think Waste Management.”

For more about the company, see their official corporate website at:
http://www.wm.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Clean Diesel Co. Inks Huge Contract

Larry Bell — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:37:40 +0000

Clean diesel retrofit up close

The State of New Jersey has awarded a $700,000 contract for clean diesel retrofits to emissions control company Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. Up to now, the company has amassed almost $3.5 million dollars in contracts under the NJ program, and this newest agreement will be fulfilled by mid-2012.

In cases where the state of New Jersey requires retrofits, owners of diesel vehicles such as dump trucks and other large industrial units must reconfigure engines in order to meet the newer, tougher standards for particulate emissions. With all of the retrofits being done by CDTI, each vehicle will be fitted with the company’s diesel particulate filter (DPF) control system, which has already been approved by the state.

In NJ, Clean Diesel is the Law

Throughout the state of New Jersey, many thousands of industrial diesel vehicles are set to be retrofitted on a strict time schedule, based on new laws which aim to significantly reduce carbon and other harmful pollutants. Clean Diesel Technologies manufactures and distributes emission control systems and products all over the world. The company’s focus is on heavy-duty diesel and light duty market segments.

A TDI clean diesel car

For more information about clean diesel vehicles, an educational and comprehensive website is located here:
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/
The site deals specifically with Volkswagen and Audi TDI vehicles, has an extensive FAQ section, as well as an impressive archive of do-it-yourself resources for diesel vehicle owners. Clearly an advocacy space for TDI, the page has a checklist for drivers who are thinking about buying a diesel car or truck, plus a long list of pros and cons comparing TDI to hybrid technology. If you are even a little interested in clean diesel science, the MyTurboDiesel site lists countless models, complete with specs, prices, reviews, and photos.

The official site for Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. is located at:
http://www.cdti.com/

Larry Bell

Boy Genius Builds Elec. Motorcycle

Larry Bell — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:17:54 +0000

A typical "hobbyist" electric motorbike

Young man might be a better term than boy, but he certainly is a genius, and after you see how he constructed his very own 48-volt electric motorcycle, you will agree. The video clip tracks the young inventor’s progress from the day he begins tearing down a standard motorcycle, until the magic moment, eight months later, when he is ready to demonstrate the astounding creation. The teardown took up a good portion of the early phase, with the build itself taking about five months in total.

To answer the most common two questions first, the bike’s range is 25 miles and the top speed is 50 mph. As you see in the clip, the road-worthy vehicle really zips along on a crisp winter morning, and even has enough power to burn a little rubber. As its designer and owner states, the bike is powerful enough to burn rubber until the batteries run down. The original combustion bike it was built from didn’t burn anything but gasoline.

For the mechanically inclined, and hardcore do-it-yourselfers, the full-time college student, who constructed this thing entirely in his spare time, used four BB EB50-12 batteries, an Alltrax 4865 motor controller, an Etek-R brushed DC electric motor, an Allbright contactor, a Magura 0-5k potentiometer throttle, and a 25-amp quick-charge charger. (Just in case you want to head to the garage and try to replicate his feat).

The young mastermind who conceived, planned, designed, and built this gorgeous little machine is currently a college student who, we hope, is majoring in engineering. If not, then some other field of study is gaining a razor-sharp mind and a brilliant engineer. With the current surge in popularity of electric motorbikes and scooters, there are plenty of kits available for those who want to try their hand at building an electric conveyance.

For more about electric motorcycles and scooters, see a comprehensive data page, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motorcycles_and_scooters

Larry Bell

Full Speed Ahead for In-Wheel Design

Larry Bell — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:19:31 +0000

The i-MiEV was originally an in-wheel drive car

In-wheel design for a new generation of electric automobiles is a concept that recently clicked into “full speed ahead” status. Not only has one of that industry’s major players just acquired a slew of unique patents, but acceptance of in-wheel technology is spreading. Chairman and CEO of Protean Electric, Bob Purcell, points out that his company essentially started from scratch, or as he put it, “ … with a clean sheet, and designed motors specifically for in-wheel applications.”

All of the company’s electric motors are built to fit inside an 18-inch wheel, each one weighing less than 70 pounds, and capable of delivering 110 horse power. Throw in the fact that each motor has its own regenerative braking system, and you have a power cycle that conserves up to 85 percent of kinetic energy.

The most common question consumers have about in-wheel drive? Is this a stand-alone system, or is it meant to assist an already-existing power source, like gasoline or electric? The answer is yes, and yes. Depending on a vehicle’s size, in-wheel motors can act as a sole source of propulsion. Typically, the company’s patented, and trademarked, Protean Drive system is an add-on, cutting fuel consumption by about 30 percent in most cases.

The beauty of the system, as Protean and their customers are quick to note, is its versatility. Race cars have been fitted with in-wheel electric motors, as have many passenger cars. Of great concern to the major auto companies is the fact that in-wheel drive can be retrofitted to virtually any vehicle on the road, old or new.

Protean is clearly the leading player in the segment at the present moment, having been awarded dozens of patents for various in-wheel system components in the U.S., the U.K., China, Europe, Malaysia, Japan, and even India. Keep an eye on the news for more about this emerging, green technology.

For more information about in-wheel drive technology and Protean Electric, Inc., see http://www.proteanelectric.com/

Volvo Recharge concept uses in-wheel drive

Larry Bell

LPG Retrofits Sell Briskly

Larry Bell — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:10:08 +0000

Toyota Aygo before LP retrofit

Toyota Aygo is built in the Czech Republic and has been sold in Europe for about six years. The concept made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in 2005 and was an instant hit with public and press. The short video clip below shows a retrofit to liquid propane gas, which is commonly called auto gas, LP gas, or even GPL in some places. Originally used in appliances, LP has gained traction as an alternative fuel source for cars in Europe, India, and Asia.

Slowly catching on in the U.S., where LP sources are extremely abundant, most of the LP cars you see on American roads are retrofits like the one in the video. In fact, the company that made the film specializes in converting or retrofitting standard combustion gasoline vehicles to LP. Unlike compressed natural gas, LP is a mixture of propane and butane, and is a product of oil or wet natural gas refining.

One of the big selling points of LP is its very low level of pollutants, even though it is, technically, a fossil fuel and a product of CNG distillation. LP is heavier than air so it will settle into the ground and can prove to be a risk, unlike CNG, which will dissipate into the air and become no threat as time passes. A disadvantage of LP is that it has to be processed from CNG, which needs no processing because it exists in a natural state, already in gas form, in the ground before being pumped out.

In the United States, a huge majority of the CNG and LP cars that you see are retrofits, yet enjoy healthy resale values and an active second-hand market. With the recent release of several all-electric, hybrid, and CNG cars by major auto manufacturers, those who cannot afford a new model often turn to companies like Eco Cars to find a used alt-fuel vehicle. See the company’s site for more information, at: http://www.eco-cars.net

Larry Bell

Electric AWD SUV: Ampin’ Through The Snow

Larry Bell — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:16:44 +0000

Jeep Grand Cherokee: Electric if you so desire

It is a thing of beauty. An all-wheel-drive SUV crunching through the snow, powered on pure, zero-emission electricity. So ground-breaking is the concept of electric SUV’s that Ohio’s Senator Sherrod Brown referred to this SUV’s makers, Amp Electric Vehicles, when he recently said, “The reason that the auto industry came back after the auto rescue of a couple years ago is because of the kind of innovation that Amp and others do.”

That is high praise, indeed, considering the state of the industry several years back. Brown’s comments came as he was attending the Detroit Auto Show last week to witness the unveiling of the world’s first 100 percent electric, all-wheel-drive SUV at Amp‘s display area. While the major car manufacturers have to spend billions (with a “b”) to create a single electric model, Amp Electric Vehicles produces several. The company is small, lean, and thus economically agile enough to produce OEM electric vehicles that can be ordered directly from a dealership, with full factory warranties just as with any new car.

Sure, a short video of an SUV frolicking in the snow might seem like a simple thing to the untrained eye, but if you know the long road Amp traversed to put those wheels in motion, you would have a deep appreciation for what the company does. When people talk about the American Dream, this is the kind of endeavor to which they refer, a small group of professionals who begin with an ambitious idea and turn it into reality.

Amp’s test-drive vehicles were among the most popular attractions at the Detroit NAIAS indoor demo track, as members of the press and public took a spin in their gorgeous, all-electric SUVs. The company’s story is unique, inspiring, and educational. Take a look at their website, check out all the other awesome electric vehicles they create, watch some of the videos, and enjoy a piece of American history in the making.

More at: http://www.ampelectricvehicles.com

Larry Bell

Do It Yourself: Teen Builds EV

Larry Bell — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:57:23 +0000

: Tires: Not factory standard

Some people just cannot sit still and let the world go by. The teen who is profiled in this short video is one of those types. Not mentioned until the end of the clip is the fact that he has also built a hybrid electric motorcycle, an electric skateboard, and (yawn) a helicopter. Just your typical teenager, right?

The 19-year-old in question does not yet have “plans for college,” according to the interview. Perhaps he should just skip college and start on that engineering Ph.D. dissertation right now. His EV, which was built from scratch, took nine months from blueprints to road-worthiness. Now he drives it just about everywhere but school, where annual parking fees are $240, a policy the school uses to encourage students to carpool.

The do-it-yourself craze in electronics is nothing new, but has found an entirely new outlet with the advent of EV technology. While most working young people find electric car prices a bit steep, there’s always the conversion and DIY route, which won’t get you a new ride, but will deliver a Frankenstein of an electric car at a price young inventors can afford.

The internet, and all the video sites, are full of ideas for people who want to build their own EV’s A site called Instructables, (see link below), shows a step by step plan for converting an electric car. Humorous but true: The very first step of the official conversion process is, “Get a car.” After that is the easy part, where you simply rip out the old combustion engine and replace it with a forklift motor. Add batteries and stir. Serves 2, or 4, depending on the original vehicle’s size.

Seriously, if you want to follow the instructables instructions and build your own EV, look for a car shell in your local area for about $500 or less. Anything with a dead motor will do. Just make sure you like the looks of the car, because as the author says, “You’re doing a conversion, not a restoration.”

Want to do it yourself? Here’s the link:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-Electric-Car/

Larry Bell

Clean Diesel Retrofitting: Big Business, Big Money

Larry Bell — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:23:04 +0000

A retrofitted truck

Clean Diesel Technologies, a company that does retrofits to older diesel engines in order to meet state clean air standards, has announced this week that it received $1.7 million in new orders from California and New Jersey sources. Those states have strict diesel retrofit laws now on the books, and require certain older models to undergo refitting or else be taken out of service due to the high carbon output of their motors.

In New Jersey, the vehicles will be diesel trucks, while the California refits are being performed on aging school buses. According to the contract, all of the work will be completed by the first months of next year. In New Jersey, this is the second such contract that CDT has won, with most of that state’s work being performed on outdated dump trucks and tow vehicles. Heavy-duty diesel trucks have a much longer work life than regular cars and trucks, thus many of the giant units came into service long ago, before there were any emission standards at all.

Military tank with retrofitted diesel engine

The only option for owners of the trucks is salvage, which is typically out of the question for the expensive, durable diesel workhorses. As more and more states have retrofit laws in some stage of passage, companies like CDT are expected to have their hands full for at least the next decade, as governments on local and national levels begin to require lower particulate emissions for all diesel motors.

In some instances, a retrofit is a major production, encompassing a job just short of rebuilding the entire engine. Most of the time, however, minor modifications, like the placement of a filtering device, will do the trick. For northern California’s school buses, minor work will likely allow most of the vehicles to meet state standards. California has a state fund that provides for the cost of retrofitting public vehicles to meet air standards.

Larry Bell

Vegetable Oil Cars: Food For Thought

Larry Bell — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:57:54 +0000

A biofuel-powered jet dragster

One alternative to regular diesel is vegetable oil as a biofuel for cars. This biofuels bio of sorts shows how a Florida company does its retrofits on clients’ vehicles. Lots of filtering, heating, re-filtering, and re-heating, but in the end it all makes sense. Does this mean I can toss leftovers into the tank? Maybe not, but the idea of running my pickup on beans and broccoli sure sounds pretty efficient.

Larry Bell

Fiat Spider Electric?

Larry Bell — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:34:26 +0000

A 1982 Fiat Spider, unconverted

Here is one of those, “Don’t try this at home,” moments. It’s a beautiful electric conversion Fiat Spider doing its best to burn out a set of tires in less than two minutes. Even so, this oddity is part ad, part entertainment from a company that does EV conversions. Don’t miss the quality still photos at the end, with up-close views of the converted engine. And if you like to watch someone burn a lot of rubber, this video is going to be your new favorite.

Larry Bell

Karen J Finds Her Perfect Automobile!

Larry — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:17:30 +0000

It’s not really that hard to do if you want it bad enough!

Karen was tired of being just “another average motorist”. She was looking for what the “Future” had in store for transportation! There are so many choices and most of them are the “run of the mill” air polluters. This is such an issue now that Governments, Countries, Private Investors and Organizations are jumping on the band wagon to help correct the air quality problems that threaten our healthy survival and make us dependent on other Countries for what the earth gives us naturally. Not to make the Auto Manufacturers the problem, as they are now the ones that are coming out with the solutions. General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Tesla and many other prominent companies are investing Billions of dollars to help people like Karen live a happier, healthier life. We spend a tremendous amount of our time in our cars, on the highways, with our families and loved ones. Or we are on our own as Karen is at the moment. She is enjoying it though, as you can see here.

Larry Judkin

Larry Judkin + is My Perfect Automobile’s General Manager, but people call him Lar’. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Co-owner of My Perfect Automobile. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

This Car Runs On Water!

Larry Bell — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:54:58 +0000

Amphibious cars have been around for years, but some of the newer versions are incorporating all-electric engines, and a few even feature CNG propellant as a fuel. Whatever the power source, amphibious cars will always have that James Bond, sci-fi feel to them. Here’s a short clip of the newest version of the appropriately named Watercar. Not recommended for the high seas, it is perfect for lake and river recreation. And remember the first rule of water driving: You must yield to surfers and ducks.

Larry Bell