Thursday, October 7, 2010

Blackbird PIE and the Four and Twenty Project

I would like to get the United States off its addiction to foreign oil.  I would also like to reduce Global Warming, reduce the general cost of transportation, and move toward World Peace.  So I came up with an idea inspired by Plug In America and the Electrification Coalition Road Map Report.  Let's start converting Internal Combustion Engine vehicles into Plug In Electric vehicles, or converting ICE to PIE.

Now that is not a bad place to start.  However, the next step in breaking down a goal is to separate it into manageable parts.  And let's use our imagination and make it fun.  PIE or Plug In Electrics is no fun without an analogy about pie.  So I picked a nursery rhyme that everyone can recognize and decide to make Blackbird PIEs.

And where do you start making Blackbird PIEs?  With the Four and Twenty Project, of course!  Let's make 24 examples of viable ICE to PIE conversions.  The next level of manageable parts needs some structure.  So, let's divide all vehicles into recognizable classes that apply to newly converted PIEs.  I have very little money to put into this idea, so we have to start small.  The first kind of small PIE should be in the range of 10 - 29.9 MPH and a 10 - 29.9 range in miles, or centering around 20 MPH and 20 miles.  Let's call these Class 1 PIEs.  So, then to extend the list of Classes of PIEs, let's also make Class 2, 40 MPH and 40 miles,  Class 3, 60 and 60, Class 4, 80 and 80, and the Class that is equivalent to most ICE cars on the road today (with a limited range) Class 5, at 100 MPH and a 100 mile range.  Anything above that is a sports car or getting too expensive to save the world economy.

Now, how many of each should be made to demonstrate the concept of affordable ICE to PIE conversions?  Keep in mind that no one involved with this project has much money to spend.  But small is not as in demand as large, however, large is more expensive.  So, let's make 2 Class 1 and 5's, 5 Class 2 and 4's, and 10 Class 3's.  And let's stay flexible, nothing written in stone.

First, let's look at a Class 1 conversion.  In this range of ICE vehicles, there is only a few vehicles that come to mind, minibikes and go carts.  But hey, you have to start somewhere.  Class 2's are more interesting.  Take a look at some of the hybrids out there.  They are in the range of 30 to 59 miles when they are running on electricity.  Class 3 is much more viable with 60 mph and a 60 mile range, you won't win any races, but it makes for a very good commuter PIE.  Class 4 can go some distance on a superhighway and Class 5 is a bit of overkill for 95 % of common driving.

OK, yes, you can't take a trip using a PIE, yet.  But you can go to grandma's house and stay overnight and come home.  And who can afford much better in this economy?  So let's now take a look at some ICE to PIE ground rules:

Rule number 1:  You have to like the ICE conversion candidate vehicle first.  Are you really going to like a PIE just because it runs on electricity? 

Rule number 2:  The ICE vehicle must be durable.  Yes, Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries last that long.  You will be driving your PIE for the next 100,000 miles before you have to buy new batteries.  You don't believe me?  Take a look at the battery warranty for the Chevrolet Volt! 

Rule number 3:  Weight counts.  No PIE should exceed the original ICE vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight number.  So there is a limit to the number of batteries that you can put into a PIE.  Think low fat content, lean and mean!

Rule number 4:  There are NO oil changes, NO gas stops, NO tune ups, NO oil leaks, NO exhaust pipes, and all you have to remember is to plug it in when you get home.

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