Sunday, April 10, 2011

and now for something completely different ... electric cars

Yep, not really craft related, but related to my interest in sustainability. I've been driving around in an all electric car - we volunteered to trial it for the Victorian government. It has no engine. It's teeny, tiny. It makes no sound. It is day 5 of a three month trial. It is known as the "Buzz Box" at our place ...


To put you in the picture, here is some background ... Mr Yardage is a car enthusiast (translation - he loves cars ... we own 4 ... I know). Earlier in the year I saw an ad calling for volunteers to trial electric cars. We applied and were one of 60 families across the state who were accepted.


My professional background is environmental management, so it is with pleasure that our family participates in this trial. Having driven hybrid cars for a few years now, I am pleased to see all electric vehicles coming to the fore.


After 4 days, here are my thoughts ... it's quicker than I was expecting and it is great not to have the "lag" you often get in hybrid cars when the car switches from electric to petrol; I like the higher driving position; the charge lasts about 80km which means you have to really think about how far you are going; I love chatting to people about the car - people are very interested, which is great. Anyway, it's early days, but so far so good. For more information about the trial including how you can be involved later in the year, go here. Wave if you see me buzzing around the inner east of Melbourne!

Normal programming will resume tomorrow, including the announcement of the winner of my giveaway (there is still time to enter!)

8 comments:

Vic said...

I love the buzz box! It's cute, I bet it's easy to park!

CurlyPops said...

Wow such a cool concept but 80kms is a bummer. I couldn't even make it to work and back!
I would love the quietness of it though.

Thea said...

How cool that you are trialling this. What happens if you underestimate your distance? Can you plug it in or just get towed home?

Annie said...

Nic, that is very interesting - thanks for sharing

Naturally Carol said...

Does it bother you that there is no sound..do you feel like you are sneaking up on people and other cars and may not be noticed by people walking across your path or changing lanes?

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh cool, i want an electric car which we can power up from our solar & wind energy when we build our farm. They just don't seem to make them for large families, bummer. Plus we'd be 55km from the city, so i couldn't do a round trip in your example, bummer, really don't wish to be a slave to the service station, petrol prices or pollution. I guess i could squeeze in 4 children & make my husband run along side?? Non?? Enjoy but gosh those cars are hard to hear when you're in a car park, eekk. Love Posie

Brenda said...

It's all very interesting, but I'd like to know that now you are saving on fuel....how is your power bill going?

teddybearswednesday said...

how cute is the buzz box! what a great thing to do xo