While doing my online research, I realized that the battery and the drive are the two most important components. The battery is where the real cost adds up. Range, cost, and weight are the 3 important factors that batteries dictate for an electric vehicle project. It turns out that 10 years ago we had a very good if not perfect battery to jump-start the electric car. It was the Ovonic NiMH. It had 70wh/kg capacity, 1,750 cycles to 100% depth of discharge. Discharge ability is important for EV’s. Energy Conversion Devices quoted them at $150/kWh for a production run of 20,000 cars.

General Motors didn’t wish the electric car to compete with their main-stream gas cars and trucks and sold the patent to Chevron Texaco. Chevron Texaco vigorously protects this battery technology and even sued Toyota for making a similar design. Further with the oil company winning that case, it was able to win a restriction on the maximum AH size of the batteries to 10AH. This prevents them from ever being used in a road EV. Further Chevron Texaco is responsible for about half the price premiums on today’s hybrids. They charge $1,200/kWh for the battery when it could be $150. How well do they control NiMH technology? Well every NiMH battery has to be licensed from a company – Cobasys, wholly owned by Chevron. Manufacturing is limited to consumer electronics size batteries. This explains why Tesla Motors is using thousands of small consumer-grade batteries in its electric vehicle.

These batteries could last 300,000 miles, but is unavailable. It would allow EV’s with a 200-300 range and make EV conversions with 150 mile ranges a possibility. It is such a shame that we developed the technology right here in the U.S.A. to lead the world in the next phase of automotive systems.

I have found some promising companies such as 123 Systems making Lithium Ion batteries that are quite expensive now. Unfortunately I see many references of them “partnering” with Cobasys. I can only believe that there will be some sort of collusion to keep battery prices high. I see the Cobasys link time and time again. If I were a battery startup, I would say the way to make big bucks if you don’t give a damn about society is simple. Build a better battery. Advertise your technology. If you don’t violate oil company patents, then sell out to big oil. Sad to say the least.

I recently came across a battery startup using high capacity capacitors in Austin called EEstor. There is a consumer screwdriver that uses similar technology. Unfortunately the EEstor technology is exclusively licensed to a Canadian electric car maker – Zenn Motors. What’s the play here? Well if I was a gambling man I’d say Zenn Motors will get bought out the moment EEstor’s batteries are proven. Big oil has the bucks. I hope the EEstor battery story does not become a story that was never heard.

My research continues, but boy does this tick me off! Batteries seem to be the key to any potential project. So the question is this… do I do a conversion with a small range of 50 miles (enough to get to work and back) and wait for battery technology to advance? or do I spend $10,000 to get a 150 mile range?

Note: The creater of the Ovonic battery now makes solar panels. The engineer/founder of the company truely is a pioneer in environmental engineering. It is sad that his technology was sold to an oil company.

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In 1976, the first Apple was built in a simple wooden box. How fitting then, that 21 years later an OEM manufacturer for Apple is building a laptop in a bamboo casing.

Dubbed the Asus Eco Book, it is encased in laminated bamboo strips available in an assortment of shades. Bamboo is touted as eco-friendly because it is an abundant, flexible, fast-growing grass. It is less likely to harm the earth to process it than compared to trees, although glues might contain toxins. The laptop is still in the prototype stage and will face testing on how it faces heat and drops. Asustek had an earlier experiment using leather. They had a laptop that hit the market with a line that catered to high-end users with calf leather-bound notebooks and faux alligator-skin models. Asustek found success with the line and decided to experiment with other materials.

Asus makes some pretty sleek laptops I must say. The U1F is a laptop I wouldn’t mind owning myself. There’s still time to send me one before x-mas. )

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Today’s green stock pick is:

Green Energy Resources (GRGR.PK). GRGR is traded on the Pinksheets. I normally don’t recommend penny stocks, but this one seems to have potential.

GRGR is making a move into Europe and is the only US exporter of wood biomass tha t meets UK and EU environmental standards. Great Britain’s energy secretary recently announced the construction of the largest wood-biomass power plant in the world.

Great Britain’s Energy Secretary John Hutton approved the largest wood-based biomass plant in the world last week. The 350 megawatt plant will be operating 24/7, 365 days per year on wood energy power. …The wood biomass will be supplied from the United States.

Since the wood biomass is slated to be coming from the U.S. and GRGR is the only one that meets EU environmental standards, odds are they are going to be the supplier. This could prove big if it materializes. They also had a press release about some recent contracts they won.

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The Gold winner on the Londen International Awards for ‘ambient indoor’ is this installation for the WWF.

There is a cut-out of the South America on a paper dispenser. As the paper towels are dispensed South America turns black. It makes you think about the world while you are in the “thinking room”

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The market determines what companies produce to meet the demand of consumers. This rule applies from video games to illegal narcotics. If there is enough demand someone will probably attempt to supply it. For future generations $100 oil may be exactly what we need.

Develop renewable energy

Until the recent high oil prices alternate energy sources and their development were considered financially unfeasible. Now we are seeing renewed interest in alternates such as wind and solar. For example in an earlier post I recommended purchasing First Solar. First Solar is a profitable maker of solar panels and is flourishing with current high oil prices. It is safe to say profitability would have been difficult to reach at say $30 oil. Alternate energy still has to become more efficient before it becomes a true replacement in our existing oil-based economy. High oil prices encourage investment in the alternatives and this investment will eventually yield dividends as it has for First Solar investors. By the way, the smart money is now investing in alternative energy. The Walton Family of Wal-Mart fame were big initial investors in First Solar.

We are seeing green campaigns and a renewed interest in recycling. We are also seeing some of the very big automakers that oppose changes now embracing hybrids. Toyota has gone through several generations of their hybrid platform, improving it with each revision. It takes time and with high oil prices companies can get the time to develop and REFINE their products. Sometimes it takes time and $100 oil maybe the right time for these companies and technologies to flourish.

Encourage energy efficiency

In addition high-oil prices make people change their behavior. Most people need a push before they change their consumption habits. This is perhaps equally important as developing other energy sources. The U.S. SUV infatuation is starting to wane as fuel prices take up larger portions of the household income. It is estimated that if vehicles in the U.S. were as efficient as those in Europe, oil consumption would fall by as much as 3 million barrels a day (roughly 4% of world demand).

Eliminate Wasteful Symbols of Excess

The super oil profits have manifested itself in the form of an unprecedented building boom in the Middle East. From artificial islands to crazy skyscrapers, symbols of petrodollar wealth is going up left and right in the Middle East. This is not the most efficient use of resources.

Stop Killing the Earth, and Me

Polluting the air, changing the environment, and killing people. These are the externalities of big oil. It is no coincidence that the occurrence of cancer is high in areas where there are oil refineries. That is why one of the most reknown Cancer Centers – M.D. Anderson is based out of Houston, TX, a big oil city.

The Petrodollars make for bad public policy

The unfortunate problem with oil is how profitable it is. In the near term, politicians get lobbied by oil interests such as refiners, oil drillers, oil services, and even the car companies keeping fuel efficiency standards down for cars and pushing generally bad energy policy. Take a look at our CAFE requirements set by the U.S. Government. Though auto and materials technology has improved, our CAFE standards have barely budged.

I recently came across a campaign to get 35mpg by 2020. In other words an improvement of about 5mpg over 13yrs. That’s just ridiculous. My next car will get 37mpg mixed and it is not even a hybrid. Why can’t the U.S. up their requirements sooner?

Petro Dollars. When you got em, you love em. When you don’t? Well just suck my exhaust sucker.

Update [12-2-2007] :  Looks like Congress has come to an agreement 35mpg by 2020 is what it will be.  Weak, but like I said I think the auto industry knows it is very easy to do and so they just fight it so Congress feels they did something substantial.   Pathetic.

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Since Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize, I’ve noticed particularly in the past month that more companies are touting their green credentials. I recently noticed that NBC’s logo was green on its programming. While watching football, the commentators proclaimed “We are turning the lights off and using candles in the studio today which will save enough electricity to power an American home for one month…” That is noble. While it may seem purely symbolic, the greater effect is that when the media gets behind something traction occurs and these issues gain visibility. For example in their show “Chuck”, there is in show placement of The Nature Conservancy. These placements put the environment out in front of the masses more frequently. In addition there are mini-ads featuring cast members of some of NBC’s shows touting the importance and providing green tips. These gentle nudges will perhaps shift people from being environmentally aware to becoming environmentally conscious. It is the difference between knowing your gas guzzler is bad for the environment and feeling bad that your car is bad for the environment and acting on it.

If anything can be said about NBC’s Green is Universal campaign, it is that it will spread the message to the masses. Green is indeed universal and I hope to see this message spread on other networks in the future. I am proud to say this blog is hosted on Dreamhost, a carbon-neutral web host.

Other media companies are in on the act to. Yahoo! for example wishes to be carbon-neutral. Yahoo!’s Director of Climate and Energy Strategy discusses Yahoo’s carbon-neutral mandate in this podcast.

If you’d like to figure out your carbon footprint or just learn how to reduce it check out carbonfootprint.com.

And a Green Stock Pick to grow on

While we’re talking about green, here is a green stock to add some green to your wallet:

The first stock is First Solar (FSLR). They design and manufacture solar modules using thin film semiconductor technology. The stock is up over 800% year-to-date. The difference between First Solar and other pumped up solar stocks is it is profitable. First Solar commands a 28% profit margin. While it has had a tremendous run, the company has excellent management, volume is increasing, and profit margins are expanding. This is no pipe-dream, but a real profitable renewable energy play. Buy it here for the long haul.

Update: Oh my God – Al Gore is on 30 Rock under the pretense that NBC was going to present a car powered by trash…. hillarious

“This Earth is ruined. We need a new one.” -Tina Fey of 30 Rock

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I often say that I’m not an environmentalist. I still consume too much in my opinion to be one just yet. I am however aware of the environment. I like saying that. Some day I may be an environmentalist. Today I chose to participate in Blog Action Day and post about environmentally-sound investing.

People often believe that the environment and making money are 2 opposing forces. You can’t build a house and sell it without trees. You can’t build a car without digging up the earth for metals. So what is a person to do?

Being environmentally aware doesn’t just mean consuming less. It also means producing our goods in a more sustainable way. So can we make money while doing this? Sure we can, and I don’t mean by investing in recycling company. There are many companies that are now focusing on reducing their carbon footprint, creating less waste in their production of goods, and using less energy at their plants.

Also you can choose to purchase products from companies that are carbon-neutral. My webhost – Dreamhost is a green host. They purchase renewable energy credits to offset the carbon produced by their business. They offer great hosting packages, great prices, and are green to boot. If you signup with Dreamhost, enter PROMOCODE: BEGREEN and save up to $50 off hosting plans.

How can you help?

Invest in Companies that use Sustainable Techniques

Money managers cater to every niche. Luckily you can invest in stocks that are in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Yes, there is an index of companies that seek to build long-term shareholder value by using environmentally sustainable techniques. The index changes and stocks fall out and new ones enter the index. Buy the stocks in this index.

Plant a Tree

You can profit with the environment. How? Check your utility bill in summer. Do you have trees planted outside? Planting trees will enable you to get shade in the summer. The leaves will fall in winter and allow the sun to pass through. Your A/C will run less and in theory, you will enjoy a lower utility bill. Trees are pleasant, reduce CO2 in the air, and will help lower your utility bill. What a selfish way to help the environment.

Take a Walk…

If you are only going a short distance, try walking or if you have a bike use it. Take a walk, save some gas, and get your blood circulating. You’ll be healthier for it. You’ll save gas, and oops you did a good thing for the environment.

Learn…

Learn as much as you can. Don’t just try to save the earth, but find out what your impact is. Understand why it is important. You’ll be more motivated and you’ll get satisfaction every time you do your part.

Share…

Once you understand the importance and why of preserving our resources, educate others. Share what you’ve learned. Share tips. Help your friends and family understand the importance of their relationship with the Earth.

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Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize today. This has to be vindication for the bitter 2000 presidential lost by a slim margin.

Bush’s Loss

This win is also a blow to President George Bush and his environmental backsliding and overall arrogance regarding world affairs.

“The Nobel Committee’s recognition of Vice President Gore shines a bright light on the most inconvenient truth of all — the selection of George Bush as president has endangered the peace and prosperity of the entire planet,” said Senator John Edwards.

This is the 2nd time a Nobel Peace Prize has gone to a Democrat critic. In 2002 President Jimmy Carter received the award during the preparatory phase of the Iraqi invasion.

Bush is approaching lame-duck status in office. His relevance in worl affairs is decreasing as the coalition in Iraq diminishes. England today announced they will be halving their forces in Iraq by end of year and will probably be out completely by 2008. His key aides are leaving in droves and his approval rating has sunk below 30 percent.

In addition in a key issue – the environment, George Bush has few friends in the world other than big oil of course. Bush’s stance is very clear. He doesn’t take the climate very seriously. As soon as he took office he rejected the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty to limit greenhouse gases. It was a strong move and told the world in very clear words “The Kyoto Treaty is dead.”

More Awareness

Gore or “The ex-Future President” as he is fond of referring to himself has taken a mission to spread the knowledge, spread the concern, and educate the world on this serious issue of global warming.

With the Nobel Peace Prize win, he will no doubt cast the topic to a much broader audience. His high profile and respected authority will lend credence to this “Inconvenient Truth”. By the way if you have not already seen it, I highly recommend you rent, borrow, or steal “An Inconvenient Truth” and watch it. It is an eye-opener and you will never look at the earth the same again.

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I’m happy to announce daxdesai.com’s participation in Blog Action Day.

What is Blog Action Day?

The goal is to bring the blogging community together, for just one day, talking about one issue — and for Blog Action Day 2007 (Oct. 15, 2007), that issue is the environment. -blogactionday.org

Participating blogs include Lifehacker, GigaOm, SEOmoz, ProBlogger and over 1,000 others. Join us and many other sites and get involved.

Sign up here for Blog Action Day

I will be blogging about environmental investments keeping in focus with this blog’s main topic of business/investment.

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Monday I plan on doing something I’ve never done in my life… Ride my bike to work. Actually I will be riding my bike to the light rail station, riding the train down, then biking it the final leg to work.

Yesterday I timed the trip to the initial train station. It is 3.3 miles and it took me 25mins to get there. I needed to make sure that I am physically able to do it. I didn’t have much difficulty. I don’t normally do cardio so I honestly wasn’t sure about this.

I will definitely be adding some time to my commute. It normally takes me 45mins by car. I am expecting the new bike/train method to take 1 1/2 hr (hopefully).

The Route

leg 1: Biking it from home to the light rail station [3.3 miles]

leg 2: Riding the train with my bike [? miles]

leg 3: Biking it to work from the train station [2.3 miles]

Why am I doing this?

• I complain about public transportation not being viable all the time. I should make an honest effort to see how it is, how plausible it is, and just experience it.
• It is good for the environment. I will be using 0 of my own car’s gas, using mass-transit and a bike.
• It is good for my health. Unless I get hit by a car or get caught in the rain this is a good thing for my body.
• It is cheaper. Though this does not really register as a motivation, I’ll save around $2-2.50 in gas.

My Normal Drive
Below is my normal drive (16.5 miles and 35-45 mins)

Preparing for the Worst

I need to email my manager and let him know that I may be late if I have “difficulties” in my commute. Hopefully I will be able to withstand the Texas sun and not pass out. I have Google Maps on my Treo 650 now. I’m glad they finally released the app for Treo’s. [Go to www.google.com/gmm from your phone to download it.] That will help me if I get lost. I will be a newbie and carry some water with me and some granola bars. Its no Tour ‘de France, but its more than I normally do.

Leave a comment and tell me how easy/difficult it is to commute by bike in your city. Any tips for us newbies? Leave a comment. I’d be happy to hear from you.

Wish me luck readers!

Update [7/28]:

I was able to get the exact distance I’d have to bike from the train station to work using gmap-pedometer. My brother pointed this site out to me a year ago. It’s a cool Google Maps mashup that allows you to manually track your trail on a Google map. This can be useful for joggers, bikers, etc.

Update [7/30]:

I have a scheduled task right after work at 6:30 so I chose not to experiment today. I will be biking it tomorrow -7/31

Update [7/31]:

Rain ( Will try again tomorrow. I’m not up for venturing through rain on my first go at this.

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