tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post6418574596113122959..comments2024-03-22T07:12:47.560-07:00Comments on Pitchpull: Karma!Greybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-86028206160369072442012-03-17T08:15:07.638-07:002012-03-17T08:15:07.638-07:00As a college student, I had the unique privilege o...As a college student, I had the unique privilege of working on the University of Missouri, Rolla (Now Missouri S&T) Solar Car (2004) Battery Brainbox. I can say from experience that working with Lithium (Li) and Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) is tricky work. <br /><br />Each cell has to be individually regulated, and provided its own unique voltage supply while charging, and flow-regulated current output while supplying power. Too much variation between cells (and for a car, there are hundreds) can result in catastrophic failure, including fires and explosions.<br /><br />That said, I read the letter the Fisker CEO put out about "we're sooo sorry, and we're fixing it." I can relate to both the engineers (having been in their hotseat on race-day) as well as to the customer who paid a hefty price and feels like he's bought a steaming pile.<br /><br />However! One of my childhood heroes (and he still is!) and everyone's favorite Serb, Mr. Nikola Tesla, has a namesake of a car, built right here in the states. If you want a "green" car that will blow the doors off the guy revving up his 8-cylinder guzzler next to you at the light, look no further:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/specs" rel="nofollow">0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. </a><br /><br />Disclaimer: yes, there are a lot of improvements to be made. no, cars like this are not going away. To the future ;)Meteorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09133896268530159551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-73701850550039276282012-03-16T06:30:24.007-07:002012-03-16T06:30:24.007-07:00Built in Finland using stimulus dollars.Built in Finland using stimulus dollars.Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.com