Despite the historical existence of micro-electric vehicles (EVs) and advancements in EV technology, the question of the necessity and success of micro-EVs continues to be debated. Darryl McMahon, a prominent figure in the EV industry, raises thought-provoking questions about the repeated invention and reinvention of micro-EVs. Explore the reasons behind this ongoing innovation in the EV sector, despite past failures and challenges.
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Presentation Transcript
If there is no need If there is no need for micro for micro- -EVs, why do people keep why do people keep inventing them? inventing them? EVs, Darryl McMahon Darryl McMahon
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? The micro-EV isn t something new Small electric cars and trucks have been invented and produced in Canada, and in Quebec, multiple times over a period of decades, and elsewhere in North America Econogics Econogics The technology has not been lacking Canada has a history of innovation in EVs going back to the early 1900s Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 2
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Today s key questions: If the micro-EV has been invented before, why hasn t it succeeded? Econogics Econogics And given it has failed before, why can it succeed now? Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 3
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Darryl McMahon Owner of Econogics, Inc. which: Hosts the largest collection of EV history material on the web (www.econogics.com/ev/evhistry.htm) and LSV pages (https://www.econogics.com/ev/lsv.htm) Econogics Econogics Distributor for a line of Canadian-designed, intelligent battery chargers suitable for small (personal) EVs Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 4
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Darryl McMahon Founding member Electric Vehicle Association of Canada (1979) Historian, Electric Auto Association Presenter at national and international conferences (sustainable transportation, water quality, energy systems) Award-winning author, The Emperor s New Hydrogen Economy Author, 2 backgrounders for Electric Mobility Canada Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 5
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Darryl McMahon Has been driving EVs since 1979 In Ottawa, where we get real winters Has worked on 1970s era on-road micro- EVs Had a limited speed electric motorcycle Still has 2 off-road small electric tractors which are about 50 years old Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 6
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? EVs are technology leaders Early EVs were the automotive technology and performance leaders circa 1900, holding the records for: maximum speed; and, maximum range. Econogics Econogics If you go through the early successful pioneers in automotive history, you will find EVs (e.g., Baker, Bailey, Porsche, Riker) Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 7
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? EVs are technology leaders Which car was the first to have a headlight which turned with the steering wheels? Not the Tucker in 1948. It appeared a bit earlier than that in 1914. Econogics Econogics In Canada. The Galt electric hybrid. Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 8
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? From IDTechEx (Jan. 2023) Micro EVs are designed for short trips of only a few kilometers and travel at low speeds, typically under 80 kilometers per hour (with various regional exceptions). These vehicles do not rely on internal combustion engines, and many are powered by electric motors. Includes 2- and 3-wheelers, cars & trucks Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 9
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? My sense of micro-EVs I m not interested in legal definitions as a starting point. In broad terms, I m seeking: Personal mobility (multi-modal, connections) Safety for all parties Right-sized to application Electric-powered, backed by clean sources Sustainable, Appropriate Technology Tread lightly upon our shared planet it s the only one we have Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 10
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? 1950s Marketeer 1960s Electra King Top speed: 25 km/h Top speed: 30 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 13
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? 1970s Zele 1000 1980s Comuta-Car Top speed: 50 km/h Top speed: 60 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 14
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? 1970s Marathon C-300 1970s Marathon C-360 Top speed: 75 km/h Top speed: 70 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 15
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? (the early LSVs) 1996 Bombardier NEV 2000s Dynasty IT Top speed: 40 km/h Top speed: 40 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 16
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? 2000s ZENN 2000s Nemo Top speed: 40 km/h Top speed: 40 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 17
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? 2000s Might-E Truck 2020s Kargo XL Top speed: 40 km/h Top speed: 40 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 18
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? What is a micro-EV? Renault Twizy 80 Utrecht CargoHopper (solar powered) Top speed: 80 km/h Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 19
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Why do Low-Speed Vehicles Exist in Canada? The government of Canada created regulations to allow LSVs nationally because the Americans had. Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) were established as a separate class of vehicles by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1998. . Econogics Econogics In July 2000, the LSV class was created in Canada. Canada's LSV class was created to allow companies to make, import and sell these small, lightweight limited purpose vehicles ... https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/publications/low-speed-vehicle- information-sheet Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 20
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? The objective was North American regulatory harmonization. But in the U.S., an LSV does not have to be electric (FMVSS 500). The U.S. calls them NEVs (Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle). So much for harmonization. Econogics Econogics Transport Canada passed the buck to the provinces. In the case of British Columbia, they passed the buck to each individual municipality. Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 21
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Ontario has had 2 pilot programs for LSVs the first from 2009, and the second from 2017 to 2027. However, Ontario has added requirements for LSVs which do not appear in the U.S. or Canadian LSV standards. Econogics Econogics In the first Ontario program, LSVs were required to carry a higher minimum insurance coverage amount than regular cars and trucks ($5 million vs. $1 million) and required additional equipment not part of the U.S. or Canadian LSV standard. Again, not harmonization. Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 22
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Ontario also liked the municipal approval barrier invented in BC, so have now adopted it. The pilot program allows low-speed vehicles that meet certain requirements to be used on roads in Ontario with a maximum speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour. Municipalities must pass by-laws to allow low-speed vehicles on roads. People interested in using an LSV should check with their local municipality to find out if LSVs can be used. https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-speed-vehicle-pilot-program Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 23
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Social context: what drives what we drive? Over 80% of Canadians live in urban settings. The majority of Canadians recognize that climate change is real and happening now. Over 40% of Canadian households have more than one vehicle. In many parts of Canada, including some of the large cities, public transit is not a particularly good transportation solution for a significant part of the population. Traffic calming is desirable for the safety of residents. Canada has a very high proportion of electricity generated from zero, net-zero or very low emissions sources. Less than 20% is produced using fossil fuels. It costs more to fuel a gas or diesel vehicle than an EV. Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 24
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Social context: what drives what we drive? As rational consumers, we should be driving a lot more of these. Econogics Econogics But this is the #1-selling vehicle in Canada, with an unbroken run from 2009 to 2022. Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 25
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Social context: what drives what we drive? Advertising & social media manipulation What s on the lot and in the showrooms? Mainstream media messaging (EV FUD, not ready ) The hydrogen distraction (no not ready messaging) Econogics Econogics Problems with charging stations Waiting lists Battery fires Personal inertia (consumers) Sticker price, financing options Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 26
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Social context: micro-EVs ARE EVs EVs are on the cusp of becoming mainstream The federal government is making noises now about EV sales quotas in the context of climate change But there are challenges remaining success is not guaranteed Econogics Econogics E.g. charging networks are fragmented, payment systems are complicated and fragile, perception of stranding risk is real, perception that there are not enough stations EV battery production and cost are bottlenecks EVs are still perceived as having a green premium Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 27
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Micro-EVs address some EV problems Micro-EVs have smaller batteries than long-range, fully- highway capable EVs (some are human-power hybrids) Micro-EVs can easily charge on Level 1, which is commonly available and does not have to wait on additional build-out or use specialized connectors and adapters Econogics Econogics Easier for MURBs to accommodate charging capacity Micro-EVs should have much lower sticker prices, and lower cost of operations (fuel, repair, insurance), therefore lower financial risk for potential owners Micro-EVs fit in communities with narrow streets and limited parking, and address the most common personal and cargo missions (short trips, low-speed, last-mile) Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 28
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? Success is not an accident There have been successes for micro-EVs in Canada Exempting EVs from Ontario annual Drive Clean tests and fees EVCO Electrathons (education) Repealing the Ontario ban on licensing EVs Legalizing electric bikes in Ontario Changing the Ontario HTA to allow electric motorcycles on limited access highways Econogics Econogics (If you want more information on any of these, connect with me later - coordinates at end of presentation) It takes attention, work and time Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 29
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? EVs The context is shifting What is different now than in the past? Increasing resentment of the oil industry Growing acceptance of the reality and consequences of climate change Government jawboning on EV sales quotas Growing realization that the green hydrogen solution is mostly mirage, and given what we know today, will not be an economically viable path forward Tesla Tesla doesn t make electric cars they make an exhilarating, personal transportation solution, including an international high-reliability charging network without fiddly payment issues, and green electricity generation Econogics Econogics Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 30
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? The micro-EV is not something new. It has been invented over and over again since the 1950s. Micro-EVs span unicycles to small cargo vehicles, for use on land, snow, water. In the future, perhaps in the air as well. Econogics Econogics Micro-EVs have not reached the degree of market saturation to make our urban areas quieter, cleaner, and less damaging to our environment and climate future. If we learn from the past and seize the shift in the social context, the opportunity to succeed is now within grasp. Thank you for your time and attention. Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 31
If there is no need for micro-EVs, why do people keep inventing them? There can be a future for micro-EVs, if we re prepared to do the work. Questions, Answers & Discussion Econogics Econogics Darryl McMahon E-mail: darryl@econogics.com Website: https://www.econogics.com Darryl s EV CV: https://www.econogics.com/DHMEVCV.pdf Forum Mosaic 2023 Faire la mobilit durable Darryl McMahon 32
