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Chapter 1: Why Electric Vehicles Are Still Right for Today! 15The Association of International Auto Manufacturers Inc., a trade group, is alsostudying the problem, along with a committee established by the Society of AutomotiveEngineers. The groups are considering “the possibility of setting a minimum noise levelstandard for hybrid vehicles,” said Mike Camissa, the safety director for themanufacturers’ association.” (Source: Michael d’Estries, Groovy Green.)Electric Vehicles Save the EnvironmentEV ownership is visible proof of your commitment to help clean up the environment.Chapter 2 will cover in detail the environmental benefits of this choice. EVs produce noemissions of any kind to harm the air, and virtually everything in them is recyclable.Plus, every electric vehicle conversion represents one less polluting internal combustionvehicle on the road. Electric vehicles are not only the most modern and efficient formsof transportation, but they also help reduce our carbon footprint today!Electric Vehicle Myths (Dispelling the Rumors)There have been four widely-circulated myths/rumors about electric vehicles that arenot true. Because the reality in each case is the 180-degree opposite of the myth, youshould know about them.Myth #1: Electric Vehicles Can’t Go Fast EnoughWell, this is probably true if you are talking about a four-ton van carrying 36 batteries.The reality is that EVs can go as fast as you want—just choose the electric vehicle model(or design or build one) with the speed capability you want. One example of how fastthey can accelerate was when I was driving a TH!NK City (really small City EV) in NewYork City, as shown in the introduction. I was at a traffic light next to a Ford cab (howappropriate since Ford owned TH!NK at the time). The cabbie wanted to see how fast itcould go so I said, “I know it can beat you.” (Please note that all of this was done wellwithin the legal speed limits on the road in Manhattan!) He said, “You’re crazy!” So thelight turned green and I hit the accelerator. The look on the cabbie’s face was worth amillion dollars. He was more than surprised at the torque and acceleration. People onthe street were screaming, “Go, go, go.” I blew him away. We met up at the next trafficlight and he said, “Where can I get one?” Enough said.Current technology EVs use nickel batteries, such as the Toyota RAV4 or eventoday’s hybrid electric cars such as the Prius or the Honda Civic hybrid. Other conversioncompanies are starting to use lithium-ion batteries; however, most still use lead acid.The speed of an electric vehicle is directly related to its weight, body/chassischaracteristics such as air and rolling resistance, electric motor size (capacity), andbattery voltage. The more voltage, the more batteries you have, the faster any givenelectric motor will be able to push the vehicle—but adding batteries adds also to thevehicle weight. All of these factors mean you can control how much speed you get outof your EV, and you’re certainly not limited in any way. If speed is important, thenoptimize the electric vehicle you choose for it. It’s as simple as that.Myth #2: Electric Vehicles Have Limited RangeNothing could be further from the truth but, unfortunately, this myth has been widelyaccepted. The reality is that electric vehicles can go as far as most people need. Remember,