Why Tesla Motors Should Sponsor Youth Sports -- Now

This is my response to Forbes contributor Bob Cook's article titled: "Why Tesla Motors Should Sponsor Youth Sports -- Now" published May 15, 2013.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2013/05/15/why-tesla-motors-should-sponsor-youth-sports-now/?commentId=comment_blogAndPostId/blog/comment/1366-2609-1123

As a former dealership owner and longtime dealer advocate that fought the good fight against oppressive OEMs for a decade, I am concerned about Tesla’s direct selling strategy. But, full disclosure after selling the family dealership, I became an electric vehicle industry consultant and I love Tesla cars. I also love the hope Tesla brings for more sustainable forms of transportation and I love Elon’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Like many industry insiders, my concern is that Tesla is circumventing the dealer franchise laws, laws which support the rights of small and medium sized privately owned businesses, at least in the short term (more on this last bit later).

Small businesses employ the majority of people in North America and do not typically outsource jobs and are not in the position to dodge human rights or squirrel away profits in tax havens. Dealerships are among the single largest groups of employers in North America. And on the flip side, one only needs to look to Bangladesh for copious examples of publicly traded corporations with abysmal records on corporate social responsibility. Why is this? Well, because global companies have mutilated tax laws everywhere to maximize shareholder return.

Now, I am not saying Tesla outsources or has a questionable human rights record whatsoever! On the contrary, I suspect they are highly responsible in these areas. What I am saying is there needs to be a way to protect dealerships because as described in the “Why Tesla Motors Should Sponsor Youth Sports — Now” article, dealerships often do support local community efforts and create local jobs.

Recently, some of Mr. Musk’s hi-tech chums like Michael Dell, have interestingly made efforts to shift back to privately owned by buying up stock. Sure Tesla is not in the position to make such radical moves in its corporate structure with only one quarter of profit under their belt, but wouldn’t it be great to hear something on the corporate social responsibility side from Tesla? An outside the box strategy would be to differentiate itself from other publicly traded/narrowly focused shareholder return motivated companies, that gobble natural resources and eventually exploit human rights at will.

The missing piece of the puzzle for me and others to adopt a totally fresh auto brand like Tesla that embraces clean technology, would be a company that is not publicly traded or even privately owned, but a co-operative. What a novel auto company that would be, one that wholly embraces sustainability for the benefit of all and addresses the hollowing out of the middle class!

Now with all this said, what has been stated by Tesla is that breaking into the auto industry as a start-up, is like breaking into Fort Knox (I paraphrase). The reason for the most part is the intensely competitive nature of a very mature auto industry. So this is why I tend to favour the approach that has been tabled in Texas where the direct selling bar might be temporarily lowered to a 5,000 vehicle per year level. This allows an upstart like Tesla to not have to bare the massive costs of setting up franchises from the word go. To me it sounds like Tesla knows that at some point they will have to invest in setting up traditional franchises, but for now, they need a chance–a lower cost route. This makes good sense to me to from a Competition Bureau or Anti-Combines Act perspective, because is reduces oligopolistic forces and allows innovation to accelerate. Lower the bar for a period and then, once you are on your feet thou shalt comply!

So let’s hope Mr. Musk and Tesla continue to build incredible zero emissions cars that transform thinking not just from and enviro-technological perspective, but also raise the bar on corporate social responsibility.

Revenge Of The Electric Car A Big Deal | EarthTechling

Unfortunately I had to miss the premiere of Revenge of the Electric Car in Toronto last month.

No word on the ROTEC site on when it will be coming around again either leaves me considering organizing a viewing of my own with fellow EV enthusiasts in the Hamilton, ON area. Anyone have Chelsey Sexton's cell number?

Walking the green carpet into the theatre sounds rather cool too. If you have interest in seeing ROTEC before it hits DVD or online mass distribution sometime next year drop me a line and I will add your name to my contact list.

Revenge Of The Electric Car A Big Deal | EarthTechling

Revenge Of The Electric Car A Big Deal | EarthTechling:

'via Blog this'

Green Fleet Expo comes to Hamilton

 2011 Hamilton, Ontario

The Courtyard by Marriott and the Warplane Heritage Museum, co-hosted the 6th Annual Green Fleet Expo (GFX) in Hamilton June 2-3, 2011. With over 300 delegates this year, attendance was up over GFX V, which was hosted at Centennial College in Toronto last June. The GFX is organized by the City of Hamilton, City of Toronto, Fleet Challenge Ontario and The Ministry of Transportation. The GFX is the premier show for fleet managers interested in greening their fleets in Ontario with delegates from all across Canada in attendance.

From left to right: Carol Layton, Deputy Minister of Transportation, Neil Sentance, Assistant Deputy Minister Ontario Public Service Green Office, Mike Goodale, Assistant Deputy Minister Ministry of Transportation, Jon Norman, Director, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ron Campbell, Director Ministry of Environment

Informative presentations, expert panels and plenty of networking took place at the Courtyard Marriott on day one while product displays and a Ride and Drive with some of the latest electric vehicles, hybrids, and PHEVs were featured on day two amongst one of the finest collections of restored military aircraft in the nation at the humbling confines of the massive Warplane Heritage Museum.

On display at the Warplane Heritage Museum was an assorment of electric passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks like Canada Post's electric E-Star delivery truck

From Left:  Chris Hill, City of Hamilton, Steve Clark of Canada Post and Mark McGrew Navistar

For electric vehicle industry advocates and enthusiasts of electrified transportation, it is crucial to see government and corporate fleets, as the essential pilot projects for the launching of new green vehicle technologies. For fleet management, it is all about "TCO" (total cost of ownership) and environmental responsibility which is why City and Corporate Fleet managers are the most  critical part of accelerating the adoption of PHEVs, BEVs and other emerging technologies like hydrogen fuel cell. 

Tips from Fleet Manager Pros - Generating Green Fleet Buy-in

• Extend oil change intervals where possible from 5,000 kms to 10-12,000 kms
• For procurement use the LA4 Standard for comparing the range and performance of passenger light-duty EVs
• Set goals of converting 10%+ fleet vehicles to hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV by next budget period
• Don't let staff use drive thrus to eliminate idling (lower GHGs)
• In BC join EC3 Fleet
• Subscribe to the Fleet Challenge Ontario newsletter
• Set performance based conservation benchmarks
• i.e. reduce diesel usage by up to 9,000 lts through ground-based solar

On Thursday morning, the GFX kicked off with presentations on advanced fuel saving technology for heavy-duty vehicles from Rolf Lockwood of Today's Trucking, followed by Al Cormier from Elecctric Mobility Canada speaking on the task of implementing Canada's Electric Vehicle Technology Road Map. These presentations lead up to an exchange of best practices for lowering operating costs for City and Corporate fleets through the selection of the lowest GHG emitting vehicles available. 


A number of City Fleet Managers and City fleet staff were present to share their Green Fleet success stories including: Bill Barr from the City of Guelph, Yvan Lupien the City of Ottawa, the City of Hamilton's Chris Hill, and Doug Smith of the City of Vancouver. City of Toronto's Gerry Pietschmann was present however he did present.

Leading city Fleet Managers from across Canada: Doug Smith of the City of Vancouver, Bill Barr from City of Guelph, Yvan Lupien from the City of Ottawa and Chris Hill City of Hamilton

During Cormier's EMC presentation, delegates learned that 60% of energy in Canada comes from renewable sources while in the US, only 20% of energy comes from renewables. He further noted that Canada is in good company amongst other eco-energy leader likes Norway and Germany. Cormier also made the prediction that battery leasing will be increasingly crucial to the adoption of EVs in Canada and that battery pricing will fall to $300-$400/kW/hr in one to two years.

Al Cormier - CEO of Electric Mobility Canada

For more on why fleets are the key to the new green transportation technology equation see the early adoptor background on the EMC website.

After the morning break, Tom Odell of Toronto Hydro discussed their electric vehicle test program called SmartExperience. Before getting to the heart of the current technology, Odell led in with a brief reminder for delegates that in the mid 1800's there was no less than three competing transportation technologies: ICE, electric and the often forgotten--steam power!

Tom Odell of Toronto Hydro speaking on SmartExperience

Odell explained that Toronto Hydro has 45 SmartCar electrics coming to Canada for the hydro smart program. The retrofitted SmartCars will be available on a four year lease for $545/mo and 15 of the vehicles will be awarded as a part of their ambassador program. If that sounds expensive, think about the fact that there are no added fuel costs to pile on. The purpose of the program is to acquire data from the CrossChasm equipped vehicles so that the charging load impact on the grid can be better understood. CrossChasm is a Waterloo, ON based start-up specializing in powertrain design, vehicle simulation, control systems and fleet validation for hybrids and full battery electric vehicles. 


From By Odell's calculations, these SmartCar electrics will operate at one-fifth the cost of their ICE counterparts. Toronto Hydro further estimates that the City of Toronto can accomodate 125,000 electric cars or approximately 10% of all vehicles in the City based on current energy supply utilizing smart charging and smartgrid technologies to permit charging in off peak hours.

Deputy Minister of Transportation Carol Layton addressing the issue of re-introducing provincial incentives for electric motorcycles. In 2009, street electric motorcycles were eligible for an 8% PST refund amounting to over $1,000 in savings but in spring 2010 under a shuffled provincial ministry the refund was rescinded.

Available in the Ride and Drive, was the Mitsubishi iMiEV with a newly announced Canadian MSRP of $35,998 or $2,397 less than the longer range Nissan Leaf which also announced Canadian pricing last month ($38,398). Mitsubishi's new EV Fleet Manager David Murphy was onsite and clearly pumped about the fleet opportunities for the iMiEV. With 18 years experience in the automotive fleet business, Murphy knows the ropes. As I had a chance to sit with Murphy and talk shop on the iMiEV roll-out in Canada, he explained that consumers should begin to see the Mitsubishi 135 km all-electric iMiEV beginning November 2011.

I got to drive the iMiEV at last year's GFX at Centennial College and was very impressed with the simplicity of the vehicle and the spirited acceleration. It was a little strange however, driving a right hand drive vehicle for the first time. The iMiEVs in Canada last year were right hand drive Japanese models, so getting used to the signal controls was odd indeed.

Rolf Lockwood from Today's Trucking takes a questions from Roger Smith of Fleet Challenge Ontario

Although I did not get to attend the Ride and Drive on Friday at GFX VI by all accounts the event was a success and I look forward to attending again next year.

You thought the Nissan Leaf Polar Bear ad was clever? Think again!

I could hardly stop laughing after watching this ad for the third time. The ad team must have had a hey day making this one.

The laptop petrol filling station. Notice the sign above, "No Smoking, Flammable vapours"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0sCCJFkEbE&feature=player_embedded#at=18

Let's hope the next ad they come out with is not featuring "everything nuclear powered". Remember the post-9/11 in bad taste ads and movies that were scrapped or not released until years later?

Plug-in Hybrid Chevy Tahoe charges up in Burlington, ON?

A plug-in hybrid Chevy Tahoe?

Sorry folks this is just a teaser. The above vehicle that LOOKS like it is being charged, is my 08 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid parked at the Pioneer Gas Station at the corner of Mainway and Appleby Line in Burlington, ON. Unfortunately, nobody is making Tahoe Hybrid conversion kits to PHEV yet. If you hear of any companies that roll out such a kit please let me know. I have been searching high and low now for two years.


BTW I have 165,000 kms on this vehicle without a single problem. I get about 830 kms to a tank. I chose it because I have the 'Brady Bunch' fam, so it is both the most responsible and practical vehicle for me.


The Eaton level 1 charging station featured in the photo is one of the first ever EV charging stations in Canada. It was installed as a part of a pilot project called GridSmartCity^TM which was developed in conjunction with Burlington Hydro, Pioneer Gas, Rapid Electric Vehicle Technologies Inc., of Vancouver, BC and other stakeholders.


Funny thing is, there is no signage at this EV charging station to educate passersby on what this strange looking device is used for. Having closely evaluated a number of EV charging stations from a breadth of companies on a past mission to become an EV charging station sales rep, I can say that this particular unit is unique. On the back side of the station there is the familliar looking electrical metering device like on the side of your home with the round glass cover telling me this is a one of a kind prototype station. Eaton Corp has an office just up the street from this Pioneer Station on Mainway also which I have visited, so I know they have newer generation stations on the way that look a little more styled up for prime time. Have a look at the GE Wattstation or the Aerovironment Fleet Stattion and you will see what I mean. 

"I had to add this photo to the blog! A a bunch of politicians and biz leaders hugging a EV charging station. The first thing that came to mind was, can you imagine the same happenging back in 1888 in  Wiesloch, Germany where the first petrol filling station was installed? Who would have wanted to hug a stinky gas pump? I am sure they did anyways."

The GridSmartCity^TM program is Burlington Hydro's efforts to transform today's electricity system into the smart grid of tomorrow. For more information on the GridSmartCity^TM program visit www.gridsmartcity.com.

The only EV charging station in Canada listed on a Goggle search is Qualicum Beach, BC

Factoid

"The first "drive-in" filling station, Gulf Refining Co.opened to the motoring public in Pittsburgh in 1913.^[8]  Prior to this, automobile drivers pulled into almost any general or hardware store, or even blacksmith shops in order to fill up their tanks. On its first day, the station sold 30 gallons of gasoline at 27 cents per gallon." -- Wikipedia

Having toured around Ontario always keeping my eyes open for EV charging stations, I can tell you that there are a few stations installed out there, but not many, and clearly, nobody has tapped into the notion of getting them listed on Google Maps. A quick search for electric vehicle charging stations in Canada reveals 1 lousy station! In the US, almost 2,000. The truth of the matter is, Better Place alone has already installed 15 in the GTA and of course the Eaton/Burlington Hydro/Pioneer one in Burlington brings the total to at least 16 in Ontario.

 

No EV charging stations on Google Maps in Golden Horseshoe! The only EV related reference of all the bogus red search dots is me--Precept EV in lowly Stoney Creek, ON

Here is a short video of my first experience with a DC fast charging station at the Olympic Village in Vancouver.

I am building a list now of the known addresses for charge points so if you know of any other EV charging stations around the country please send me the physical address along with a photo and I will add it to Google Maps.

Is your glass half Tesla?

Having spent over 20 years in the electric vehicle industry including a stint with Zero

Motorcycles as Canadian Director of Sales and Marketing and Board Member with 

Electric Mobily Canada, I am not one to let a good EV thing pass. Do you agree that

EVs and sustainbility are a good thing? Not all the news is good, but it does depend 

a lot on if your glass is half empty or half full.

Cynics might say I am crazy for continuing to kick the EV and sustainability can as

there is just too much apathy out there and reason to choose an easier path towards

making a difference in this world. Today, I admit, when reading a post on Tesla stock

dropping $4.54, or 15% to $25.55, I felt a little bummed out.

But wait! Reading on, I discovered that the cause for the stock drop was a general 

sentiment that the Tesla team might be in over their heads because all the other auto

OEMs have embraced EVs stronger than expected and they just might run over Elon

Musk and his dreams of becoming the IT wunderkin gone auto exec that helped turn

the tide on saving the planet.

So worst case at this very preliminary juncture in the North American EV rollout, is

that Tesla's gorgeous hi-performance Roadster and Model S may or may not survive

at least according to some analysts and become the uber sexy EV brand that 

dominates the streets in ten years. We may just have to continue to listen to the 

naysayers and critics snicker at the round of "quirky looking EV nerd-mobiles" that are

coming to market a little longer.