Electrified

Vroom, Vroom.....

Two weeks ago I decided to take it upon myself to investigate the foggy situation shrouding the response to alternative fuel vehicles. I have been going to dealerships and scouring the Internet and magazines for any realistically viable choice for the common person to choose a vehicle fuelled by anything other than gas. It's no wonder everyday folk such as you and I aren't already actively involved. The options just aren't up to speed - yet.

Though I've had some difficulty seeking purchasable, pollution-less local quadrupeds, there are headlights just around the corner.

It was one of those regular dreary, damp mornings that Vancouverites have gotten so used to. Two buses, one seabus, and a quick shot on the skytrain landed your questful explorer on the corner of Cliveden Avenue and Chester Road in Annacis Island. Just a couple short blocks down Chester Road and there it was in all it glory....da-da! The factory for our future - Dynasty Electric! Alright, so it wasn't exactly spectacular from the outside, but what do you expect, it is a factory after all. It was with mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement that I approached the looming building. Before I reached the door a friendly figure stepped outside. Danny Epp, Engineer of Dynasty Electric, greeted and welcomed me inside. Although large, the building was not huge and was filled mostly with large work trucks equipped with custom electric arms which is actually the company's main staple of business. But there, right smack in front of me, was the entire assembly line of tomorrow's transportation.

The company makes four models based on the same chassis called the IT. Available are the Sedan, Pick-up Truck, Van, and the open Tropic. In various stages of production were a truck and two tropics. These petite vehicles are surprisingly spacious and very stylish. While the machines are equipped similarly to regular gas guzzlers, front wheel drive, e-brake and a suspension system mimicking that of a Porche or BMW, they are quite sparse otherwise.The reason for being so minimalistic is to keep the cars light. The heavier they are, the more energy they need, therefore the less distance one can run. The IT has a payload of approximately 1,000-1,045 lbs. and an extra battery hook-up option is available allowing you to travel further. Currently the battery is lead acid which the company hopes to switch to lithium in the future once the cost goes down. There are two options for your battery, one being the normal flooded cell or the no-maintenance cell for an extra cost.

Safety features, such as air bags and crash absorbing frame, are practically non-existent save for the low-impact bumpers. Again, one reason being weight, but the main reason is cost. Protection equipment and crash testing are all very expensive and would drive the price of the vehicle to unreasonable rates. To combat this problem, the IT's speed limit has been capped off at max 40km/hr. as a Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) in the Motor Vehicle class Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). Obviously when the speed limit is 50km and you can only go 40km, governments are realizing this proves a hazard in itself. There are two states so far, Montana and Washington, who have recognized this and passed legislation allowing for Medium Speed Vehicles up to 60km/hr. That, at least is a more realistic start, if only others will follow.

Danny was kind enough to let me get behind the wheel and cruise around the lot for a feel. I was electrified! It was really weird because there is no shift, only a knob you turn instead to go forwards or back, yet I kept trying to shift the darn thing. When you turn the key, one expects some rev but there was none, merely a quiet purr. Even as I stepped cautiously on the gas (?) pedal, the car was very quite, almost eerie. If it wasn't for the fact that we were moving, I wouldn't even know it was on. When not in motion, say at an intersection for example, no energy is used at all and the car is dead silent. Very cool.

Despite the lack of gusto and security, the IT is extremely popular. In fact, they are so popular that Dynasty just can't keep up with the production, being merely a small operation. It's the old Catch-22 that so many businesses fall into: In order to make more money, you need to keep up with demand; In order to keep up with demand you need more money. This is where wise investors come in (hint hint). It's a no-brainer when a product is so successful that the company needs expand, if one were to invest in that company, chances are high that one would also be successful.

As far as options, prices, and wait lists go for the average person, I am still working that out. So stay tuned for another addition of IT Is Electric! www.itiselectric.com