What about offering to build farmers new open sided barns
that are in reality a solar roof on stilts / agricultural buildings avoid planning permission in most cases.Ideally the panels
would form the roof rather than tiles etc to bring down costs.

Well done and Congrats! You look amazing. Im doing the same at the moment and reading this has made me more determined.

Can’t wait to see you in the new year!

OK, Politicians are not ill-educated but they are ignorant. In my fairly broad experience, politicians, local government officials, film stars, media celebs, sportsmen, bureaucrats, – are pretty ignorant on the whole. Surely you must have noticed that?

It might be hurtful to say so, but the Modus Operandi for most of the young middle-class bods leaving University, is to gull money from the Government. Remember, 80% of the Government’s tax income comes from hourly-paid workers and the companies they work for. Some, like yourself, use their educational and social advantages to create useful businesses, employ people and generally contribute to the economy but on the whole, the young educated middle-class use their talents to get money from the Government in order to do whatever they want to do.

If I’m wrong, answer me this: If a skilled tradesman has to borrow money from a bank to do something worthwhile, like setting up a small manufacturing business, how come the educated classes simply use their skills to get their money from the Government, buckshee? Mr Sciville, writing on this blog, did rather well in the RAC FCC last year and it didn’t cost the taxpayer a penny. That’s because he’s one of the skilled tradesman I’m talking about.

It is merely a matter of opinion whether or not Gordon Murry’s new car is any good. I personally don’t think it has a market and it was only conceived in order to qualify for hefty government support. Maybe some company might come along and buy the rights to make it, in which can, I’ll be shown to be the sneering nutter you suggest. Until then, I think it is fair to criticise the £4.2 million pounds the Project cost.

Certainly, £500k isn’t enough to put a car like yours into production but that wasn’t your brief. Yours was a prototype; a one-off. Half a million pounds is more than enough to produce a prototype. The question is, what was it a prototype of? Or was it, (be honest now!), just something you wanted to do and because you had the right social positioning, you got someone else pay for most of it?

In my own defense, I was steered away from the TSB by several Venture Capitalists. When I showed them my engines, (the VCs that is) they looked at tme and the technology very carefully and decided to invest. If the engines turn out to be duds or un-commercial, I’ll have to pay them back. The Government simply isn’t interested in this end of the market.

Essentially, the TSB, the Research Council and other funding bodies exists to funnel money into industry by the back door in order to side-step the European restrictions regarding subsidies to industry. It is virtually impossible for small businesses to get funding from the Government unless they are collaborating with the established OEMs. To this extent, politicians DO preside over the grant-making process.

Best wishes

I didn’t say I thought you wished to build a car like the Nemesis, nor did I think it.

Politicians are rarely ill educated. And they do not preside over the grant making process.

We have not ‘gulled’ money from the government for our project – that’s perhaps your naffest comment. And the Nemesis did not dissipate our energies, it actually started us on a path, that has led to more. Such as the Electric Highway.

It’s been said before, on here and elsewhere, by others – that we should have spent our time and money on a more everyday car, it’s a reasonable point – usually reasonably made, except in your case where it’s made with spite and malice.

I disagree with it in any event.

I think Gordon Murray did exceptionally well to engineer a new car (the one you sneer at) on the budget he had.

The budget we had, with 4 to 500k from the TSB – was nowhere near enough to engineer a new mass market car – it’s silly to even think that. It was enough to produce a high performance technology demonstrator – which we did.

Reading your posts – I think you’re probably bitter that TSB won’t fund your new engine project, or whatever it is – but look on the bright side – TSB funding would have made you a target for bitter nutters to attack….

Cheers.

It’s true; I would like to build a sports car like the Nemesis – I can’t deny it. It’s a nice looking car. My problem is that entrepreneurs very often dissipate their resources simply to gull money from ill-educated politicians who are dazzled by people like you, Gordon Murry and many others. Entrepreneurs should be getting down to making things that people want and are prepared to buy.

I know this goal is very difficult to achieve but people who posses this ability to make things have a moral obligation to make things that people want – not just produce stuff at the public’s expense just because it’s easy money, especially as they know the idea is technically and commercially flawed. I admit, not being able to dazzle people into give me money is probably another reason for feeling bitter and inadequate but most of your readers would agree with what I am saying.

For instance, I could probably get funding to develop a patented fuel tank for commercial vehicles which saved valuable down-time by being able to be filled with fuel in 20 seconds. Oh yes, the funding agencies would be delighted with my beautifully made prototype models and computer generated images but in reality, I know that to put 100 litres into a fuel tank in 20 seconds would require a fuel-pump the size of a shed and and nozzle that no-one could lift.

A stupid idea you may think, but a company is, in fact, being funded to research and develop hybrid car batteries which can be ‘filled’ at a charging-point in in twenty minutes. Oh Yea! – what would the two-megawatt plug-in plug and its cable look like? Right – like a shed and also too big to lift.

My grievance is against Government funding agencies, particularly the TSB. These people give money to totally spurious R&D projects which has the effect of directing SMEs away from producing commercial products and towards damn-fool projects which lead nowhere. Some call it a conspiracy to keep SMEs from competing with the big-boys.

FYI, we are not making a home-made car for the RAC FCC. It’s all in the new engine. Any re-engined car will do.

Best wishes

Justin Gudgeon

The Nemesis was conceived of, as an idea, four years or so ago, before it was possible to buy an electric car for the road (except perhaps the G Whiz). Our aim was to build a car that used the latest technology, looked awesome and performed better than (not just as well as or close to) the equivalent IC car. It’s mission was to impress and through that challenge the prevailing notions of electric cars, and challenge the petrol heads among us.

It’s quite normal, IMO, for technology to be demonstrated on high performance vehicles and subsequently find it’s way to more every day vehicles – it’s a well trodden path.

The building of an everyday car for mass adoption is not something we (ecotricity) are best placed to undertake – nor do we need to, all the major motor manufacturers are entering the game now.

What we were well placed to do was to build an early technology demonstrator, to stimulate debate, open eyes and wins some hearts and minds. To do that we needed a bit of a supercar (in our opinion). So that’s what we built.

I note your post slags us off for building our supercar and also slags off Gordon M for building his everyday car – can anyone win in your eyes…?

I hope your home made car works well for you in the Rally and I hope you grow up somewhat.

Cheers.

FYI I’ve put you in moderation mode – which means that your comments need to be approved by me before being published. Please refer to the blog posting guidelines.

Thanks for the description of your engine. It sounds a very interesting concept and I look forward to seeing it.

Personally though I see the electric drive as being the ideal as electric motors are unbeatable for pushing cars down the road. No clutches, gears or servicing required but loads of starting torque.
The only drawback being the electricity source.

I wonder how economical your engine would be tied to an alternator and running at a pre-set rpm which would normally improve efficiency rather than a constantly varying load/rpm.

Whilst not very happy using an oil burner, in the short to medium term the very high concentration of energy in oil does allow for conventional driving with electric hybrids.

I am glad you understand the principle of manufacturing stuff which people actually want, rather than stuff that simply attracts public funding – like wind turbines or micro cars designed for Noddy and Big Ears.

You did well to come 5th last year in your Lotus S1. You picked a low-mass car to electrify and thus benefited from Newton’s First Law. The Lotus, as an EV, is a desirable And marketable car and rightly received ‘Best overall private entry’.

Our aim is to replace the engine of a popular 5-door, (the biggest sector in the auto market) and win by using the least amount of fuel. Our small diesel engine doesn’t have a radiator and runs at 250 degrees C. using high-temp oil as the coolant. The retained heat is converted into electro/mechanical energy.

As with rally driving, the ‘fun’ is in taking an ordinary production car and making it do something extraordinary.

Best wishes

Justin Gudgeon

Make it an all season car to shut up some of your detractors.

Nothing wrong with a Lotus in the snow and the electric drive control is far superior than a clutch in slippy conditions.

By the way, as Paul D notes, 50 miles to work is a long distance but using 50mpg engines, I bet his usage is not much less than the average 15 mile distance through cities in a petrol car.
He has a cheek to tell Dave not to see his family each night. I guess Paul D lives over his work place.

Regarding external charging, as long as the cable is protected by an RCCD and the ends suitably weather protected, there should be no cause for concern as all European building sites use 220v power protected this way in far more hazardous and wet circumstances.

As a past entrant and twice winner of “best private entry” in the Future Car Challenge, I and many others will be very interested to see your car with its extremely efficient engine.

The problem with changing people’s perception of electric/low energy cars is not to bring out boring!!!
My car cost under £20,000 to develop and put on the road using existing technology, some dating back to the 1990′s.
It also came 5th out of 50 cars listed in order of energy usage.
And has been on the road daily for more than three years.
How multiple millions of public money can be spent on odd looking”research projects” for geeks beggars belief.

Having watched Dale’s video about his car being developed, it is easy to see where his money went when using consultants.
At least it was spent in this country.

So Justin, I really hope your car will be built for fun and not another low powered milk float copy.

I had started to write this response to your comment this morning and have since seen that Dale has replied himself, however I thought It appropriate that I gave my own response anyway.

I agree that my home being 50 miles from work is not an ideal scenario and in an ideal world we would all work from home and use technology to enable us to work in a carbon neutral way, however as Head of Customer Services for Ecotricity I need to be in the office as much as I can to help my team provide the quality of service that our customers have come to expect and I like to be hands on in helping us achieve that.

Moving from Worcestershire to Gloucestershire has always been an option, however, I am married and my wife’s business is in Worcestershire so we felt is better that we lived near to one of our places of work to ensure that we minimise the impact of our family’s daily travel.

Public transport isn’t the most practical solution for me – not from a point of self restriction but more of a realistically practical restriction due to the two locations involved. For example, to use the train I would need to drive the 10 miles to my nearest station then more than double the duration of my commute as there are no direct trains running between the 2 locations. I personally choose to not increase the length of my working day by around 2.5hrs each day, but I do acknowledge that this could be an option if I wished to do so.

What I did was to buy a motorcycle that reduced my costs and the fuel consumption involved, but I can assure you that whilst I do have a deep understanding the issues and my own personal circumstances are far from ideal, I would like to think that Dale employed me for my capability as a Customer Services Manager and not based upon where I live.

Incidentally, we recently surveyed our staff in relation to this particular subject and the findings are as follows;
Around 50% of Ecotriocity staff live within 5 miles of the Stroud offices
25% of staff walk to work
9% cycle
5% ride a motorbike
7% use the bus or train
Of those that have to drive, 17% currently car share
I am not sure how that stacks up against the norm nowadays but they are the facts in relation to our staff and it will continue to improve i’m sure.

Dave

For instance, it is significant that the car developed by you, (Dale Vince) for the RAC FCC was a massively powerful sports car representing macho prowess and unrestrained self-indulgence. The Nemesis, costing £800,000 is neither efficient environmentally friendly but it does have sex-appeal. Unfortunately, this is what I believe Ecotricity is all about; pride.

If Ecotricity was the real deal, you would swallow your pride and dedicate your time and money to developing a car which people want and can afford. A car which uses fewer resources and runs on less fuel and produces less CO2 than any other car on the road. This shouldn’t be too difficult for a millionaire.

Gordon Murry produced a winning product for last years RAC FCC but that can also be dismissed as an expensive joke. Costing over £4.2m to develop, (of which the taxpayer paid £2.1m), all the consortia managed to produce was a stupid little car which no-one, apart a few nerds, want. Remember the Reliant Robin?

So here is a challenge for you, Mr Vince: My company, which is motivated by an ideology of thrift, not superstition or self promotion, is entering this year’s RAC FCC with a hybrid saloon. The patented engine, which we have developed over the last three years, converts 70% of the fuel it burns to mechanical energy. We have not taken a penny from the tax-payer and in particular, not the TSB since it only funds companies which don’t represent a threat to the large OEMs.

Against this, Ecotricity, with all its ideology and resources, should be able to beat us; all you need is to ignore the hype and get to work on a vehicle which is consistent with your ideology, ie, modest, environmentally friendly and practical. If you are unable to do this, my accusation of insincerity is proved.

Ever so briefly I’d just like to offer my perspective –

Dave was head and shoulders the best person for the job, many years ago when he first joined us.

I always ask about distance to work, because it’s a factor in sustainability, not just the environmental meaning of that, but the actual longevity potential.

A long commute is not ideal, from a people or planet perspective. I care about both.

But it’s important to bear in mind we live in a world in transition. The emergence of mainstream electric cars is new and the potential this gives us to resolve conundrums like this one – is very exciting.

What Dave’s trial of the Nemesis shows us is that an electric commute to work, is a realistic prospect. Even for our most distant team member.

We’re also looking to shift our pool cars to electric. Yes we have cars that burn oil right now – that’s part of operating pragmatically in this world. But at the same time seeking to bring change.

It’s an exciting time and I think the actual red herring in this story is the distance Dave drives to work – the criticism of that overlooks so many practical issues (which many of us face in this modern world) and at the same time ignores the potential for new technology to change things, for the better.

Cheers.

However I think criticising Ecotricity because one of their employees lives too far away is a bit like criticising Ken Livingstone for his tax affairs. Neither smells of roses, but the idea that either has any real baring on customers/voters is inaccurate to say the least and barely relevant. I buy Ecotricity because they re-invest their profits in building new renewables and thus invest in a more sustainable, more stable, cleaner, less conflicted future for our planet. They invest far more of MY money in this, than any other energy provider. The day this changes, I’m gone! Yes I care about how the company operates as a whole, but you accept that some things aren’t realistic and make compromises if its core mission stays intact and you get a sense that they care.

I was wondering if you accept guest post for your blog. If you do, I would like to submit a few. I’m a recent college graduate, with an English major, looking to build out my portfolio. I can write on a wide variety of topics and am sure you would be happy with the quality. Please email me back if you are interested. Thank you for your time.

- Kathleen Hubert
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In response to your questions ; the car was (or is) as practical as any 2 seater performance car. I have driven it in the wet and dry and the warm and cold conditions that we are likely to come across in the UK.

Would I use a 2 seater Lotus in the snow? Probably not, but the thing here is that the type of engine did not make the experience any different for this type of vehicle.

With regards to the cable and charging, there is pretty good weather protection at the vehicle end of the cable and the socket on the wall has a water proof cover that ‘locks’ the plug in so the weather makes little difference to charging.

I think I would feel the cold a little more in the winter in this particular car as it has no heater, but a family saloon with an electric motor should make no difference in winter use.

Dave

So there’s the ideal, utopian green paradise and the unfortunate real world. I think Ecotricity have the best balance of any supplier out there and strive to be better, but it’s an open market and you’re free to spend your £’s where you feel fit.

Commuting 100 miles everyday does not equate to an attitude of understanding the issues. As I stated in my original comment, the problem is that ‘personal’ transport (aka personal freedom) equates to climate changing carbon footprints and environment danaging resource grabbing.

The advantage of public transport is the fact that it is inconvenient and thus psychologically manipulates people to impose self restrictions on their journeys.

It was a test to see how well and how far the car could go on the extremes of its range as well as giving an employee a little bit of fun for a few weeks. It shows traditional car users that it’s possible to drive larger distances by electric and that’s a good thing, esp if they’re topping up with green Ecotricity electric

And Dale, if you’re at a loss with what to do with the car for a week, I’m more than happy to look after it for you

I normally like reading this blog, but frankly this is totally unacceptable, 1. from the point of view of Dave and 2. from the point of view of Ecotricity employment methods.

To be honest it isn’t totally Ecotricitys fault. These days employers can not discriminate based on distance required to commute, anymore than they can on race or age.

However surely Dave could live near work from Monday to Friday and travel home at the weekends?? This would have been normal many years ago. Or companies would offer a relocation package. Another point is that cars enable people to live away from public transport routes. Personally in the past, public transport was always a number one priority when finding a place to live, even when my main transport was a car.

For me, the car iin this article is a red herring. Far more important is the way technology can cause people to make wasteful and polluting decisions, as a result of the convenience that technology creates.

http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/90mph-wind-powered-car-built-in-china?ocid=LastSlide&tcid=LastSlide#image=4

It’s got to be a joke, … right?