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I tend to take these types of stories with a large pinch of salt but I wonder if there is anything in this one? New lithium-ion battery could last 20 years, long after you've broken the devices they once powered -- Engadget

Although I don't live there I'll give it moral support and wish it well. There are way too many NIMBYs about who are more concerned with their perceived property values than making some contribution to preventing catastrophic global warming. Hope it succeeds. I wish there was a similar scheme...

Rather than making generalised complaints about the alleged deficiencies of local government you can make a practical difference by registering a complaint on litter (including glass) by making use of this: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/local/litter/code/documents/cop-litter.pdf...

And the money that the government takes off you all goes to feckless wasters? You don't get any of this back in the form of services?

Yes, I had forgotten that electric vehicles attract no tax. I do believe that in the longer term that will change though. The zero tax is aimed to encourage take up of low emissions vehicles. However, in the future, when most vehicles will be low emission, the tax shortfall will have to be made...

An interesting and thought provoking thread that has resurfaced. Perhaps e-bikes are in fact the next stage in the evolution of the bicycle. From the first cycle with no pedals, to the safety bike and then the steady progression in efficiency with gears and lower weights, the standard bicycle...

Well it is only a simple epicyclic gear mechanism ;)

This is a good summary: Hub gear - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks Flecc. So for the Panasonic system try to avoid charging when there are still at least 4 lights showing on the battery gauge?

I think that is basically it. From my old physics lessons I recall that the routes for heat loss are conduction, radiation and convection. As you say, it is the trapped air as a poor conductor that is the main insulator but I guess the insulation material itself will have some conductive...

Good question. My understanding is that to maximise the life of lithium batteries it is best to recharge after every ride, even after short ones. I do wonder through whether it is worth it for very short rides.

Over 30 year working with environmental legislation has shown me that much legislation is indeed poorly framed, particularly when it is attempting to legislate technical matters. Also, much legislation now has to transpose EC Directives which presents another layer of problems of trying to...

It remains to be seen if battery swapping becomes a reality. Project Better Place's system looks like becoming a reality in Israel - Better Place | Israel progress. Perhaps this is an example of a necessity becoming the mother of invention as Israel desperately want to become independent from...

Thanks Fecn. I think my changing the rear sprocket was best for me as it is help up the hills I need most.

Interesting. I have just changed my Pro Connect rear sprocket for a 19T and it now feels just right to me. I assume that, provided the overall gear ratio works out the same, there is no effective difference to using a bigger motor sprocket rather than using a smaller rear sprocket. So, if I...

Not always Mussels! It's rarely like that old train commercial by Virgin or someone similar where the passengers were depicted as genteel relaxed characters putting their feet up and curled up with a good book whilst a glorious pastoral scene unfolded out of the window. The Redditch to...

I'm intrigued. What kind of top speed do you get with power assist?

I think it's early days to judge if algae biofuels will be economically viable. I agree that it is much better than competing with food based crops. A good summary is at Algae fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have mixed feelings about public transport Flecc. My employer is the Environment Agency who, quite rightly, require that we minimise car travel for business use. As a consequence I travel by train which I now very much prefer compared to cars. I don't have to get stressed driving and I can do...

Vectrix is reborn: Vectrix lives again, has lithium future — Autoblog Green