Car Chute

Amador County now has its own provision in a state law paving the way to provide access to roadways for small electric cars, also known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.

AB584, sponsored by Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Sept. 29, and allows Amador County the same flexibility in designing rules and routes for NEVs as currently allowed in Orange and Placer counties.

Amador Citizens for Transportation Options, a local nonprofit group, solicited Huber’s help almost two years ago to help make the desired changes to the existing vehicle code.

NEVs are low-speed vehicles that may be used on state highways under certain conditions. Cities and counties seeking to expand areas where the vehicles may be operated are required to prepare a report to the California Legislature, including a description of the NEV transportation plan, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan, and a recommendation as to whether the authorization to establish NEV transportation plans should be expanded statewide.

Additionally, discussions are encouraged between the Legislature, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol regarding the adoption of a new classification for licensing motorists who use NEVs.

Under the provisions of the new law, Amador County, Amador City, and the cities of Jackson and Sutter Creek, have until Jan. 1, 2015, to submit their initial reports, and must present their full NEV transportation plans by Jan. 1, 2016. NEV operators must also possess a California driver’s license and comply with established financial liability requirements.

Jan. 1 also ushers in a handful of other new laws for California’s motoring public.

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Roger Niello lays out age-specific requirements drivers must fulfill to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit. Among new requirements for drivers younger than 21 years of age is the successful completion of a motorcycle safety course administered by the CHP.

New rules to combat a rising tide of motorcycle thefts makes it a misdemeanor to possess, give, or lend any device designed to bypass the factory-installed ignition of a motorcycle in order to start the engine without the manufacturer’s key. It will also be illegal to possess any motorcycle ignition or part of motorcycle ignition, with the intent to unlawfully take or drive, or to facilitate the unlawful taking or driving of a motorcycle, without the consent of the owner. Items of hardware, including bolt cutters, electrical tape, wire cutters, wire strippers, or Allen wrenches, with the intent to aid in the unlawful taking or driving of a motorcycle without the consent of the owner, is included in the new prohibitions.

An amended

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First 2011 Nissan Leaf delivered to buyer, San Francisco, Dec 2010, photo by Eugene Lee

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We’re just two days away from 2011, the year many industry experts are terming the year of the electric car, but 2010 hasn’t been a slow year for electric cars. We’ve seen new models launched, records broken and even the Pope show an interest in going electric. 

But over the course of 2010 what stories have been getting the most attention from you, our readers? 

The 2011 Nissan LEAF proves a popular topic, featuring in a half of our 10 most popular stories, with charging and battery technology coming a close second, featuring in 4 of our 10 most popular stories. 

Interestingly, the 2010 Chevrolet Volt is not featured in the top 10 posts, scraping in at number 19, showing our readers are much more interested in pure electric cars than they are with range extended and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Without further ado, here’s our top 10 posts of 2010, in reverse order. 

10) Nissan LEAF: Batteries

Originally penned in 2009, this post has remained popular throughout 2010, and for a good reason. 

Delving into the very heart of the 2011 Nissan LEAF’s electronics, the article explains how the 24 Kilowatt-hour battery pack is constructed. 

Written more than a year before the first Nissan LEAF production vehicles left the factory there isn’t a video to go with this post, but Nissan’s own production video released in October gives us a view of the battery pack being assembled. 

9) Nissan LEAF: Charging Capabilities Could Make Range Limitless

50 Kw Leaf Charger

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Could the Fast Charge option on the 2011 Nissan LEAF provide drivers with an almost unlimited mileage electric car, or will the cost of fast charge stations and tight financial budgets dissuade local government and business from installing ultra-fast charging infrastructure?  

That was the question asked by Eric Loveday in this article written in August 2009. Despite its age, the article has proven a popular choice throughout 2010 as more and more consumers try to research fast-charging before they buy their first electric car. 

Japanese Firm Lets EVs Refil Faster Than a Gas Car

Proving that fast-charging is a key concern among would-be electric car owners, this article from July 2010 covers a break-through high-power charger developed in Japan. 

According to the charger’s

Article source: Article Source

By David Wilkins

Friday, 31 December 2010

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David Booth

Last Updated: Jan 1, 2011

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group, right, tours a Chrysler plant in Toledo, Ohio, in August. Marchionne, also the head of Fiat, has his work cut out for him in finding success with Chrysler in 2011.

Jeff Kowalsky / Bloomberg

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I think the great sage Bill Murray had it wrong. The whole Scrooged denouement shouldn’t have been about Christmas Eve, but New Year’s. His whole “for a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be” schtick is far more apropos of New Year’s than Noel. For one thing, on New Year’s Eve, many of us are with friends (whom we generally like) or strangers (whom we may even like more) while at Christmas we’re with family (I’ll let you fill in your own weird-uncle-inspired screed here). Besides, by New Year’s, we’re reveling in the home furnishings we’ve bought for ourselves at the after-Christmas sales rather than worrying about the full-pop debt we incurred buying gifts for others. No wonder New Year’s Eve is a time of optimism and resolution; there are parties, we’re with strangers we love and we’re so very, very thankful that Christmas only comes round once a year.

It is in this spirit of beatific celebration that I bring you my predictions, nay my heartfelt wishes, for 2011. Call it my metaphorical “taking an old blanket out of the closet” for the homeless. Perhaps this is just my way of making sandwiches for the indigent. Indeed, the desire to help an old lady cross the street is starting to feel overwhelming. Next thing you know, I’ll be volunteering at a soup kitchen and spontaneously carolling at roadside bus stops.

It is in just this spirit of heartfelt good cheer that I hope Toyota gets its mojo back. Yes, the world’s most prolific automaker had got a little too big for its breeches, some might even say arrogant. But it’s important to remember that, behind all that unnecessary obfuscation and misguided denial, there is a really excellent car company. Of all the non-luxury brands, for instance, Toyota has the best “survival rate” – as in more old cars still on the road – over the last 25 years. Camrys may not be enjoying the greatest of reputations now, but my dear old papa loved his 1998 LE with a fervour that made my mum jealous.