GasBuddy News Article

votes

Electric DeLorean Foretells Hurdles for Ghosn’s Nissan Leaf

Bloomberg.com -- By Makiko Kitamura and Megumi Yamanaka

Aug. 25 (Bloomberg) -- In the 1985 movie “Back to the Future,” Christopher Lloyd has trouble fueling his DeLorean car after altering it to run on plutonium. Today, Tomoyasu Fujii has the same problem after converting his DeLorean to electric power.

“My biggest headache is that the parking lot in my apartment complex doesn’t have a power outlet,” said Fujii, 39, an advertising salesman at a Hiroshima newspaper, adding that the building manager won’t install a socket. “Since no one else has an electric car, they don’t see why they have to bother.”

Fujii’s 1981 DMC-12 has a lithium-ion battery that takes four hours to charge, so he only drives it on weekends and recharges it at a local workshop. That’s also a hurdle for Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executi

Read the Full Article

Submitted Aug 25, 2009 By: UncleCurt

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Electric DeLorean Foretells Hurdles for Ghosn’s Nissan Leaf	Topic is locked Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)

First Prev

Next Last

MightyDude Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,351 Points:1,675,320 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 7:01:13 AM Ignore MightyDude Report Abuse must be in management ;)
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,496 Points:1,123,535 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 7:00:24 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse Infra structure is always a problem for a new product. Solve it or the product will not survive,.
pbc2001 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,311 Points:416,430 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:59:35 AM Ignore pbc2001 Report Abuse This will be a drawback for a long long time when it comes to all electric vehicles.
zimowski Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,810 Points:625,830 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:57:37 AM Ignore zimowski Report Abuse In my mind, the initial success of the electric car will be strongly tied to total cost of ownership.
captngasTN Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,738 Points:428,900 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:57:35 AM Ignore captngasTN Report Abuse This guy evidently has more money than sense.
arcanumtrojan Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,104 Points:383,535 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:56:39 AM Ignore arcanumtrojan Report Abuse New technology takes time and lots of money before it's efficient and cost effective. Do I think it's going to be as popular as the article says? No, but electric cars will eventually be a major form of transportation among Americans.
206awd250 Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,253 Points:429,665 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:56:17 AM Ignore 206awd250 Report Abuse The U.S. wont be ready for electric cars. We don't have the grid or infrastructure for it.
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,285 Points:1,421,795 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:55:24 AM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse “My biggest headache is that the parking lot in my apartment complex doesn’t have a power outlet,” said Fujii, 39, an advertising salesman at a Hiroshima newspaper, adding that the building manager won’t install a socket. “Since no one else has an electric car, they don’t see why they have to bother.” I wonder if he has considered a long extension cord? This will be a continuing problem for all electric cars
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,119 Points:678,220 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:54:35 AM Ignore CISA Report Abuse Oh, those pesky details! The LEAF sounds like the House health care plan -- thought up by a bunch of administrators w/o any thought as to the potential customers.
frdhbrd All-Star Author Calgary Posts:533 Points:348,945 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:53:20 AM Ignore frdhbrd Report Abuse We should all buy cars we can't refuel! That guy lacks a little thing called common sense.
4furbabies Sophomore Author St. Louis Posts:146 Points:93,850 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:52:34 AM Ignore 4furbabies Report Abuse About 8 years ago, I visited the Mall of America in Atlanta, GA. They had electric car parking only w/docking stations. I thought it was crazy. Now I look forward to seeing them in the midwest. Of course, on the same visit, I saw my first "self checkout." Look at us now!
macbeth2012 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,793 Points:339,035 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:51:40 AM Ignore macbeth2012 Report Abuse Back to the future? He needs to get his juice from the local clock tower
eagleeye2008 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,023 Points:763,190 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:50:40 AM Ignore eagleeye2008 Report Abuse Sorry about that Christopher,, You will have to buy a much longer EXTENTION CORD !!!
winggnutt Champion Author Detroit Posts:6,332 Points:1,426,900 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:50:20 AM Ignore winggnutt Report Abuse needs a solar charging station?
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,614 Points:1,356,200 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:49:23 AM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse I see it now...a world full of extension cords.
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:8,026 Points:1,603,420 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:47:39 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse Gonna be a long time before there is a need for "charging stations".
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:14,877 Points:1,947,685 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:45:36 AM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse Battery powered electric vehicles suffer the same problems now as they did back in 1902.
TBRR Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,330 Points:234,660 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:44:12 AM Ignore TBRR Report Abuse my electric locomotive is charged with a charger on the end of an extension cord. works for me. another stupid story about incompetence.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,343 Points:1,664,415 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:43:23 AM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse This is a good example of lack of infrastructure for alternative fuels. And how was he going to pay for his "fuel"? I like that 4 hour recharging, though.
UncleCurt Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:3,592 Points:557,885 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:42:42 AM Ignore UncleCurt Report Abuse Nissan working with US, China and locally to make infrastructure for the Electric car. This is good, lets hope every automaker is making the same strides. This helps to be off OPEC oil along with other alternatives. "Earlier this month, the three Japanese electric carmakers and Tokyo Electric Power Co., the nation’s largest utility, set up a committee to plan a national network of standard quick chargers, “indispensable to the popularization of electric cars,” they said in a joint statement." "Nippon Oil Corp., Japan’s largest oil refiner, will set up quick chargers at 22 filling stations nationwide, starting in October, as an experiment to gauge demand." "Nissan also plans to install chargers at dealerships. Outside Japan, it has partnered with U.S.-based Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), which will install 12,500 220-volt chargers and 250 quick chargers by mid- 2011 in cities in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee." "Nissan is working with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the government of Wuhan city to develop a network of charging stations, it said in April. The carmaker and partner Renault SA aim to sell electric vehicles in China in 2011."
carrollcreek Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,505 Points:343,190 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:41:39 AM Ignore carrollcreek Report Abuse I agree, run an extension cord out the window. When Management complains, then force the issue about the plug and offer to pay.
OKRifle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,880 Points:850,045 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:41:32 AM Ignore OKRifle Report Abuse Oh please, this is just too, too!
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:3,027 Points:1,137,225 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:40:40 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Since the Leaf can go 3 times as far as the Delorean it should be three times less of a problem.
rjb21760 Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,097 Points:669,210 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:40:38 AM Ignore rjb21760 Report Abuse This will be a drawback for a long long time when it comes to all electric vehicles. What will they do about fees? have the outlet hooked up to a sort of parking meter where you put in your coins and turn the knob? And then you have to hope the guy next to you doesn't unplug your car and plug in his, on your dime.
Fencemaker Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,901 Points:718,475 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:39:21 AM Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse I converted my car to run on coal and I too am having a heck of time trying to get the local parking garage management to designate space for a coal pile refueling station.
GGAlbo Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,315 Points:1,011,310 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:38:29 AM Ignore GGAlbo Report Abuse He should run a extension from inside his apartment!!!
Sam195 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,225 Points:620,325 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:32:54 AM Ignore Sam195 Report Abuse He should offer to pay to have a socket installed.
tbybee All-Star Author Omaha Posts:702 Points:316,085 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:32:33 AM Ignore tbybee Report Abuse I just don't see these as practical.
owatonnajeep Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,510 Points:709,345 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:32:08 AM Ignore owatonnajeep Report Abuse why didn't the guy think of that when he was building it? electric cars are definitely the future, but I don't know if that future is quite yet, a lot of hurdles yet to clear
kellerman Champion Author Maine Posts:1,768 Points:543,065 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:32:02 AM Ignore kellerman Report Abuse as more electric cars are on the road, the problems asociated with them will diminish
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,152 Points:1,012,285 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:31:47 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse That could be a very real problem for people that live in apartments & condos
altima03 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:879 Points:1,399,670 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:31:38 AM Ignore altima03 Report Abuse Has anyone seen any calculations as to the drain on the powergrid if even 10% of cars were being plugged in to recharge? Shades of the 2004 North-East blackout?
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,004 Points:492,370 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:31:04 AM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse Electric cars have a ways to go before they become mainstream.
Wolfwings Champion Author Delaware Posts:3,932 Points:819,530 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:27:44 AM Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse I feel badly for these folks. Like the rest of the automaking industry, a little foresight might have resolved this.
rod1965 Champion Author Portland Posts:1,831 Points:341,035 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:26:27 AM Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse Elactrical cars are not a godd idea at this time. make the batteries better and they might be.
Oldwolf Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,766 Points:1,195,825 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:25:58 AM Ignore Oldwolf Report Abuse Have to charge at home I guess.
lleddirj Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,541 Points:925,450 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:24:57 AM Ignore lleddirj Report Abuse OOPS, we forgot to tell everyone that electric cars will require everybody to rewire their house to the tune of $5000.
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:3,128 Points:648,115 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:24:37 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse A sign of the time
ljmatney Champion Author Wichita Posts:4,024 Points:565,120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:24:30 AM Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse This is something that happen with any new product. It gets worked out as more people come on board.
civilcivic06 Sophomore Author Rochester Posts:131 Points:221,605 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:24:17 AM Ignore civilcivic06 Report Abuse The solutions are so diluted with so many answers. There needs to be a more funneled solution to the energy consumption. Weather is't gas ,hydro, electric etc...
fltdoc Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,480 Points:605,915 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:18:58 AM Ignore fltdoc Report Abuse Times are tough all over! If he was such a forward thinking individual, he should have considered where he was going to charge his batteries before converting his vehicle. No need to blame the building manager. Enough power to charge his vehicle could be a significant amount of electricity for which someone has to pay.
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:2,764 Points:414,050 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:18:38 AM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse IF even 10% of cars were electric the grid could not handle it.
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:1,588 Points:366,895 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:18:04 AM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse ?????????//will this idea work
Theczecho Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,547 Points:445,030 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:17:46 AM Ignore Theczecho Report Abuse The concept of plugins does come with its problems. Who pays for teh juice, where to put the outlets, and what happens when someone runs out of juice on the highway. You can't get a can of gas to refuel when you have an electric car!
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,829 Points:1,857,530 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:17:32 AM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse That is a problem if u live in complexes, high rise units oreven drive to work.
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:4,318 Points:1,366,440 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:15:40 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse I don't think his landlord would had let him use his power anyways.
zippoking Veteran Author Illinois Posts:289 Points:258,670 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:14:59 AM Ignore zippoking Report Abuse It would take days, maybe weeks to charge it with built in solar panels, not enough area. Thats why the new Prius only uses it for a fan.
hunnybe16 Veteran Author Detroit Posts:469 Points:70,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:14:50 AM Ignore hunnybe16 Report Abuse I really don't think this is going to catch on...
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,071 Points:418,140 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:14:03 AM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse Cool. I wonder what the restrictions are on building your own here in the US?
Doubleeez Champion Author Connecticut Posts:2,752 Points:547,465 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:13:49 AM Ignore Doubleeez Report Abuse DeLorean has a way to go.
PrepHermit Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,280 Points:677,455 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:13:17 AM Ignore PrepHermit Report Abuse Cute hobbyist.
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,065 Points:1,334,710 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:12:58 AM Ignore egd Report Abuse a minor thing easily fixed