Metropolitan Rural

So, I’ve been thinking more and more lately about the idea of an electric car or NEV.  I posted some details a few posts back on Proposition M.  I’m seriously thinking about taking a trip down to Farmington sometime in January just to try and test drive a model or two to see how they are.  For me, it will require some planning as I would need to get some electric run to my garage again so I would have a place to store and charge the vehicle.  That would also likely need a new garage door as our current one is not in the shape to handle going up and down much more.

I was even thinking it might be a fun road trip for a handful of people to make.  Plus, that could really show some support of the idea to whoever it is that runs this business down there.  I feel like there is truly a pent up demand for an affordable commuting vehicle for those of us who don’t drive a lot.  I did the math on my daily commute, and came up with less than 3,000 miles per year.  It is so NOT worth my money to buy some $20k to $30k car to drive that few of miles every year.

With all this being in my head, a headline last night on Slashdot caught my attention (Bay Area to Install Electric Vehicle Grid).  Readig that story, a thought hit me.  Wouldn’t it be cool if there were outlets available in your everyday parking meter?  A quick Google search turned up several links to patents on various aspects of the idea.  But the reality of the situation is surely on the verge.  If an area the size of the SF Bay area has a billion dollar infrastructure in place that allows for you to pay for charging your car, then you extend the range of usefulness immensely.  In my little bit of travels I’ve seen parking meters that take credit cards and even a single unit for 2 spots.  These are so much more complex than your grandfathers parking meter.  There is obviously some circuitry and electronics going on in the industry.  How much more effort is it to attach a retractable power cord and apply some software that only turns it on if you pay extra for the service.  Heck, if you are paying with a credit card, then you only charge based on the actual electric usage as well.

Running in for a 30 minute meeting?  Top off your batteries while you’re there!

Of course, there will be vandalism and people cutting and taking cords and what not, but that’s no reason to let a few bad apples spoil it for the rest of us.

Now, next step, let’s make that electricity more renewable as well.  No since in cutting back on gas for electric if we have to burn coal or natural gas to get the electricity.  And heck, don’t forget to come up with some better batteries.  If we’re going to use batteries to store our electricity we don’t need to be relying on third world countries in a constant state of war for the materials for those batteries either (check out this NPR report for more on that issue).

So… who wants to make a road trip?