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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

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Submitted Aug 25, 2009 By: UncleCurt

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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
psuray All-Star Author Hartford Posts:919 Points:223,650 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:09:25 AM Ignore psuray Report Abuse He should have checked with his landlord BEFORE he invested in his car.
jarrjazz1 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:2,189 Points:446,240 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:08:51 AM Ignore jarrjazz1 Report Abuse Cool stuff dude!
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:7,531 Points:847,320 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:08:32 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse The volt is not bad either, since it has an onboard generator that runs on ... gas! But all of these are expensive currently. But we need to make investment to get freed from the strangle hold of the evil three! (Opec, big oil, and speculators).
NoSoup4U All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:645 Points:413,245 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:06:52 AM Ignore NoSoup4U Report Abuse I guess if you don't have a garage you shouldn't be the first person to buy an electric car. There are plenty of single family homes where an electric car would be (slightly) more practical.
dhammerMI All-Star Author Michigan Posts:515 Points:111,915 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:05:32 AM Ignore dhammerMI Report Abuse I'm thinking that's going to be the biggest headache for all electric car owners. I think that's why the Prius has the best game going right now. Follow their lead and get better mileage yet!
wild3bill All-Star Author New York Posts:900 Points:1,040,400 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:04:57 AM Ignore wild3bill Report Abuse In the movie the DElorean only used Plutoneum for the first jump back in time. The movie DMC only ran on regular gas for roads travel
gotoneros Champion Author Syracuse Posts:3,273 Points:672,275 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:03:27 AM Ignore gotoneros Report Abuse I bet the landlord will have to install an outlet for this one guy.
SpruceGuse2 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,893 Points:1,492,690 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:03:10 AM Ignore SpruceGuse2 Report Abuse OK, so I'll have to see what government research will come up with to solve this huge problem.
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,892 Points:1,526,290 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:02:53 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse Up in Alaska and northern Canada, there are electric outlets all over the place for car engine block heaters and battery chargers, so cars'll start in 50 below weather. So it is doable when necessary.
txwikinger Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:1,164 Points:275,480 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:02:50 AM Ignore txwikinger Report Abuse Well.. the problem is not only the socket, but if everybody wants to do that, you need more substations and more power stations.
kruk Champion Author London Posts:2,843 Points:332,715 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:02:12 AM Ignore kruk Report Abuse there is no infrastructure for electric cars
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:4,766 Points:679,405 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:02:02 AM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse Thats the problem with introducing something new. As new technology is developed, infrastructures need to be built to support them. We have the same issues with hydrogen cars and electric wind turbines, no support to refill cars and no wires to carry electricity.
Lewis4622 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,124 Points:260,240 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:01:52 AM Ignore Lewis4622 Report Abuse Conserve-Research-Conserve-Develope-Conserve-Drill-Conserve NOW!
westover Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,497 Points:1,673,815 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 6:00:54 AM Ignore westover Report Abuse Surprising
ghamm45 Veteran Author Madison Posts:263 Points:100,755 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:59:35 AM Ignore ghamm45 Report Abuse Have you ever heard of a $5.99 extension cord? C'mon Fujii. Wake up and smell the coffee!
chvygrl All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:931 Points:907,745 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:58:35 AM Ignore chvygrl Report Abuse sounds like big hurdles - especially for folks who live in downtown areas where they park on the street..
cdanielwyke Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,550 Points:409,485 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:57:46 AM Ignore cdanielwyke Report Abuse I'm glad someone pointed that out. : ) "Mr. Fusion only powers the time circuit generators, but the internal combustion engine has always ran on regular gasoline."
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:3,068 Points:1,203,140 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:57:44 AM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse C'mon. I'm waiting for Mr. Fusion to power my DeLorian.
slayer_taunu Rookie Author Dallas Posts:76 Points:361,995 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:54:29 AM Ignore slayer_taunu Report Abuse the DeLorean didn't run on plutonium, only the time circuits did. The accuracy of this article is obviously flawed. heh
Eutychus Sophomore Author Raleigh Posts:118 Points:475,760 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:51:46 AM Ignore Eutychus Report Abuse Great Scott! I don't think that trying to find a source of plutonium and trying to find a power outlet are "the same problem."
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,101 Points:939,125 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:50:10 AM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse So do you think Fujii might have thought about this problem BEFORE he bought his electric buggy?
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,132 Points:1,504,315 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:49:05 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse I'd start testing with taxi's @ airport's to see how it goes...then spread out from there if it works...
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,704 Points:1,647,990 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:48:13 AM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse How are New York City residents who mostly park on the street going to charge their cars?
klatu2u All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:831 Points:197,475 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:46:49 AM Ignore klatu2u Report Abuse Drivers will then be complaining about paid charging stations next
Tundralimited2009 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,582 Points:519,475 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:44:13 AM Ignore Tundralimited2009 Report Abuse I am sure that there are energy companies who want some money.
Jizme Champion Author Lincoln Posts:4,933 Points:1,932,090 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:38:06 AM Ignore Jizme Report Abuse This is going to be a big problem for those who live in apartments. It is the same issue with hydrogen. No cars to use it, so why build refill stations and no stations so why build cars.
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:6,876 Points:1,278,470 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:33:14 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse Most charging would take place at home... and the average commuter round trip would be within the range of an overnight charge... Without some different technologies and infrastructure which would allow greatly extending the range and making for quick re-charge or battery swaps, electric seems to be a daily commuter solution, and not a total replacement for autos as we know them now... Infrastructure, or lack of it, will greatly influence the development of new technologies for transportation...
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:4,047 Points:1,071,805 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:29:42 AM Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse Electric cars will only be good for homeowners who drive 30 miles a day.
salog Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,528 Points:878,865 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:27:48 AM Ignore salog Report Abuse need the infrastructure, before electric cars become common.
jjw0608 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,382 Points:1,002,370 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:26:58 AM Ignore jjw0608 Report Abuse Not this electric car stuff again?
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,806 Points:600,855 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:26:36 AM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse Electric cars will have some issues that must be resolved before we will see wide spread deployment. At present, fleet use in suburban and urban areas seems to be a suitable application. As the issues are addressed, the applications will expand.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,995 Points:1,397,965 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:25:03 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse people love the idea of electric cars now but just wait, this will be a huge nightmare and obama has no clue how to solve all the problems that are sure to arise
wizzard1222 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,718 Points:1,345,140 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:23:28 AM Ignore wizzard1222 Report Abuse Not really.... access to plugs w/expand quickly...after vehicles are purchased!
ssect8 Champion Author Hartford Posts:3,102 Points:1,224,075 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:21:45 AM Ignore ssect8 Report Abuse No solution in our life time.
K1500 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,055 Points:187,170 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:21:26 AM Ignore K1500 Report Abuse Then again, this is an individual versus an entire company fighting to get electrical outlets. I'm sure if Mr. Fujii wasn't the only guy with an electric car, the building manager (and others) would have more incentive to install the outlets.
I10Express Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,715 Points:664,295 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:21:07 AM Ignore I10Express Report Abuse Technologies requiring a large infrastructure are always slow to be adopted.
katmandue Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,160 Points:1,173,705 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:21:03 AM Ignore katmandue Report Abuse buy a long power cord. Or use solar.
QueenMother Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,746 Points:1,224,225 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:17:54 AM Ignore QueenMother Report Abuse It looks like we'll need charging stations a lot sooner than expected.
byoftDad Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,051 Points:755,945 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:17:40 AM Ignore byoftDad Report Abuse More charging stations are needed. The future may be that parking meters will cost more but you can charge your little golf cart while you shop.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,872 Points:1,655,180 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:14:28 AM Ignore throttle Report Abuse It's not only better batteries that are needed, but convenient charging stations. And, of course, if electric cars really catch on, there's the matter of the massive increase in the country's elecrical generating capacity.
TerryLee Champion Author Ohio Posts:11,392 Points:2,144,940 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:08:53 AM Ignore TerryLee Report Abuse Before this will ever fly, we need better batteries
1fuelish1 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:11,139 Points:1,116,800 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:08:25 AM Ignore 1fuelish1 Report Abuse But what happens when he reaches 88 mph?
MaeMae514 Veteran Author Dayton Posts:389 Points:291,515 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:06:02 AM Ignore MaeMae514 Report Abuse FLOP!