My Wife works for Chrysler and we bought a new Chrysler 300 with a V6 engine
and XF 8 speed automatic transmission. It's rated at 31 MPG highway but I
routinely get 35 MPG between Alabama & Wisconsin and that's for the entire
trip, running at least 70 MPH. She works in Wisconsin so we routinely drive
back and forth.

Based on this car and where I believe the auto industry is going I believe
electric vehicles are doomed. If Chrysler can get 35 MPG out of a full size
4 door family sedan today, they should be able to push past 50 MPG in less
than 5 years. No wonder the American auto industry doesn't want to go
electric - they know better.

Thanks, Tom Hargrave
www.stir-plate.com
www.towercooler.com
www.kegkits.com
www.grow-sun.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 10:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Electric conversions (Chevy Volt)

My company in its effort to be green has installed a dual charging station
in two of our facilities and let electric car owners us them free of charge.
We have a brother/sister pair with a "Volt" each, one black (his) and white.
The two of them just rave about driving them. I am curious though if they
are effective for long distance use say NY to Florida. I am currently down
in Florida and ended up renting a 2011 Ford Focus. In mixed driving it is
still doing ~33mpg. Doing highway from the airport to moms house it was
doing almost 40mpg. Except for lots of tire noise from worn out tires, the
slipping transmission, and confusing controls at first I am almost beginning
to like it!

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kim Brennan
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 10:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Electric conversions (Chevy Volt)

I recently replaced my main commuter car with a (leased) 2013 Chevy Volt.
I'm addicted to electric only (300+ all electric miles only on it since I
got it.)

I know, in the past, a few folk have done electric conversions (not
necessarily members of this list). And loaded up the van with lots of (lead
acid) batteries and got something like 16 miles per charge out the
conversions.

But times have changed. There are other battery choices and more choices in
electric motors. Did Otto(? or was it Detmar?) with his stretch ever get the
front wheels running in electric motor?
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