I'm giving up all I own to make this happen. I should have all my possessions sold shortly and be on the road by the end of June, at latest.
With the closing of so many auto plants and so many lay offs, getting this done may help save thousands of jobs and a lot of the local economies dependent on a local plant that targeted for closure.
What can you do to help?
Let as many people know about this blog site as you can to help spread the word. The more people that become involved, the easier and quicker this could happen.
Contact your state Senate and Congress reps via email and let them know you support the idea of the diesel electric and ask if they are willing to lend support to any legislation to get this going if needed as well as getting them to take away those federal subsidies that are given to the oil companies and put that money into any companies willing to manufacture diesel electric system. The url for each is listed below.
U.S. Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
U.S. Congress:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Contact the auto manufactures and let them know you want to see these vehicles put into production asap. I understand GM is working on one.
Ford Motor Company:
https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?
contactMainTopic=GeneralCorporate
GM:
https://www.gmideas.com/gmideas/ideas?action=NewIdea
Chrysler:
http://www-5.chrysler.com/wccsapp/universal/C/index.jsp?appStr=wccs&titleStr=Contact+Chrysler&familyStr=brand&franchise=C&actionURL=%2Fwccs%2Fbrand_forms%2Fus%2Fwebform.jsp&promotion=null&category=N
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Problem & Solution
I've decided to do this to promote, and get the ball rolling to remove the stranglehold being placed on us all from the high pricing of oil that is resulting in such high gas pricing and contributing to the rising cost of just about all products that we need every day. Some say it's a waste of my time, and maybe being only one person I may not, but it has to start somewhere sometime, by someone before it far too late.
Most people I have talked with so far want to blame the oil companies and politicians in Washington for the problem. They may indeed be a part of the problem as well as the commodities speculators, trying to get the most out of each investment and praying the oil prices keep rising.
However, if you look in the mirror, you may just see the biggest cause for it. It's all of us together as a nation. The automobile, one of our most treasured possessions, that give each and everyone of us our independence and freedom to travel anywhere at anytime we wish, and we do not want to give it up. We shouldn't have to either if we get started on solving the problem.
So many seem to think we can elect someone to go to Washington and solve it for us. I think not unfortunately, at least not always. Look at the results of the last major election where the Democrats took over the majority, because we said indeed we wanted changes made form the past few years. Not much change is there. Good intentions, yes.
The only sure way to get this done is by all of us working together as a nation. We must start to consume less oil now and work quickly towards being dependent free of all foreign oil. But how, without making the sacrifice of giving up our vehicles?
Nobody wants a shitty 3 wheel electric car that can only go about 75 miles before recharging is needed and until recently, few would buy the hybrid cars on the market.
Not worth the extra cost compared to how much gas would saved over the three year life a lease or if it was traded back in. Seems three years is the most common time span a new car is kept, it's said.
My thoughts are a diesel electric vehicle. The same type of motor system used in the larger locomotives, but on a much smaller scale. All of the needed components are readily available. Electric motors and drive trains that will work with any vehicle no matter the size of it are possible. Ford used them in the small pickup they had to offer for sale in California a few years back before a stupid federal judge ruled against California for requiring them. They discontinued them and forced all lease holders to turn them back in as the lease expired. They were not given the option to purchase them as with most leased vehicles. Ford sold them all to another company and one of them even turned up on eBay for sale.
Telsa motors, also in California, has an all electric car that will travel about 200 miles at 65 mph without a problem. Granted it's a small sports car and quite pricey, but it shows that the electric motors and drive trains do indeed work well.
Now back to the diesel electric that can work on any size vehicle we desire to drive. Gas can be used also for the engine, but diesel engine is more efficient and can be run on vegetable oil also which is what the original diesel was designed to run on.
The way it is designed to work is by the diesel engine only being used to power a generator that would supply the electricity for the motor. Quite efficient and four gallons could last for 10 hours or more. I had small generator for home power and four gallons lasted me 12 hours. Any and all body styles being manufactured today can still be used as is with this system also. Only changes needed to be made would be the engine and drive train under the hood.
Most people I have talked with so far want to blame the oil companies and politicians in Washington for the problem. They may indeed be a part of the problem as well as the commodities speculators, trying to get the most out of each investment and praying the oil prices keep rising.
However, if you look in the mirror, you may just see the biggest cause for it. It's all of us together as a nation. The automobile, one of our most treasured possessions, that give each and everyone of us our independence and freedom to travel anywhere at anytime we wish, and we do not want to give it up. We shouldn't have to either if we get started on solving the problem.
So many seem to think we can elect someone to go to Washington and solve it for us. I think not unfortunately, at least not always. Look at the results of the last major election where the Democrats took over the majority, because we said indeed we wanted changes made form the past few years. Not much change is there. Good intentions, yes.
The only sure way to get this done is by all of us working together as a nation. We must start to consume less oil now and work quickly towards being dependent free of all foreign oil. But how, without making the sacrifice of giving up our vehicles?
Nobody wants a shitty 3 wheel electric car that can only go about 75 miles before recharging is needed and until recently, few would buy the hybrid cars on the market.
Not worth the extra cost compared to how much gas would saved over the three year life a lease or if it was traded back in. Seems three years is the most common time span a new car is kept, it's said.
My thoughts are a diesel electric vehicle. The same type of motor system used in the larger locomotives, but on a much smaller scale. All of the needed components are readily available. Electric motors and drive trains that will work with any vehicle no matter the size of it are possible. Ford used them in the small pickup they had to offer for sale in California a few years back before a stupid federal judge ruled against California for requiring them. They discontinued them and forced all lease holders to turn them back in as the lease expired. They were not given the option to purchase them as with most leased vehicles. Ford sold them all to another company and one of them even turned up on eBay for sale.
Telsa motors, also in California, has an all electric car that will travel about 200 miles at 65 mph without a problem. Granted it's a small sports car and quite pricey, but it shows that the electric motors and drive trains do indeed work well.
Now back to the diesel electric that can work on any size vehicle we desire to drive. Gas can be used also for the engine, but diesel engine is more efficient and can be run on vegetable oil also which is what the original diesel was designed to run on.
The way it is designed to work is by the diesel engine only being used to power a generator that would supply the electricity for the motor. Quite efficient and four gallons could last for 10 hours or more. I had small generator for home power and four gallons lasted me 12 hours. Any and all body styles being manufactured today can still be used as is with this system also. Only changes needed to be made would be the engine and drive train under the hood.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
2008
Now, at 51, another trip is on, but for a reason & cause. Even today I'm back to riding a bicycle to and from work. The process has begun to sell my home and all it's contents. I just purchased a new light weight bicycle for trip, cost more than some used cars I've bought in the past. Tons of planning to do yet. Maps to get, routing decisions, what to bring that would really be needed. This time I'll be starting from here in upstate NY instead and heading down the east coast to Florida and then turn west along the gulf coast.
I'll be stopping every now and then to see about any local work available to help keep the cash coming in. Made up a couple of signs for the trailer that say "for hire along trip".
What's the cause to promote? Us being dependent free of all foreign oil and and just about all crude oil within 10 years time max.
Stay tuned for the ideas and how can we do it.
I'll be stopping every now and then to see about any local work available to help keep the cash coming in. Made up a couple of signs for the trailer that say "for hire along trip".
What's the cause to promote? Us being dependent free of all foreign oil and and just about all crude oil within 10 years time max.
Stay tuned for the ideas and how can we do it.
1980
28 years ago I was in the planing stages of a cross country bicycle trip. I was already riding just over 36 miles a day to and from work. 18 1/2 miles each way. Gas was up to about $0.75 a gallon and way to expensive. And we complained about that price??I was thinking of starting at the old Rt. 66 in IL and follow what was left of to the end and start new from there or somewhere in between. I started to date a coworker before the plans were completed. Well the relationship progressed and we ended up getting married and I never followed through on the trip. I thought I'd have a long and happy marriage. How was I to know how SO wrong that would be!!
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