Commander Gives Electric Wheels a Spin
by Brandice J. Armstrong, Tinker AFB Takeoff, Nov. 6, 2009
Tinker got a glimpse of the future. It was small, blue and driven by Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander.
In conjunction with October’s Energy Awareness month, the 72nd Civil Engineering Directorate had Oct. 26 through 30, a 2010 Wheego Whip electric car.
“It had all the conveniences of a car in a golf cart,” Colonel Jamerson said. “I really think this is going to be the wave of the future.”
At 118.5 inches long, 63 inches tall and 63 inches wide, the Wheelgo runs entirely on electricity generated by a 96-volt battery. Noiseless, the two-passenger vehicle is equipped with a heater and air conditioner, radio and can reach speeds of 40 mph. [Wheego Note: The Wheego Whip is a LSV, with max speed programmed to 25 mph.] It is also more maneuverable than a traditional full-size car and has no problem fitting into parking spots.
“It’s turning radius is insane,” said John Hurd, Tinker’s energy manager.
But, its best attribute may be its benefit to the environment.
“This is just something to consider as we look at ways to become more energy-efficient on Tinker,” Colonel Jamerson said. “It’ll drive down cost; will make us more efficient and more productive. We have to get there for environmental reasons.”
Because electric cars are solely dependent on electricity, a Wheego charge cord can be plugged into a standard outlet; unlike Colonel Jamerson’s staff car, a Dodge Avenger that runs on flexible fuel. Though considered an “alternative” fuel vehicle, the car runs best with an 85 percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline mixture.
“I don’t put that many miles on my staff car in the course of a year — maybe 1,000 to 2,000 miles,” Colonel Jamerson said. “So, this would be a much more efficient way to get around and it’s good for the environment.”
The Wheego Colonel Jamerson drove gets approximately 60 miles to a charge or can run for six operational hours. It needs four charging hours to be fully functional. [Wheego Note: Typically, the Whip averages 40 miles to a charge, and takes about 8 hours to charge.] But, the Wheego does have its drawbacks and, if considered for a future fleet, wouldn’t meet every vehicle requirement, officials said.
The Wheego has a light suspension system. Additionally, the model Colonel Jamerson drove was not street legal for roads where the speed limit is above 35 mph. Considered a “low-speed vehicle,” the car was not designed for long trips, such as a drive to Dallas. From Oklahoma City, Dallas is approximately 205 miles and takes the average driver roughly three-and-a-half hours when cruising at 65 miles per hour.
“This is really the future. It may be in five years, 10 years or 20 years, but vehicles like that will be our future,” Mr. Hurd said. “It may be half of the vehicles in the world, or three-fourths of them or all of them, but there has to be a starting point for it and this it.”
My Wheego was delivered on the last day of October. The guy that delivered it told me it was about the 50th one in the United States. Whether that is true or not, I don’t know. I thought I would give some feedback for potential buyers. In Oklahoma where you can legally drive them 35 on 45 MPH roads, get a 50% tax credit in addition to a $7500 federal tax credit that actually will credit against that AMT, and has an abundance of small towns it is ideal. Our electricity is 6.3c per kwh so a full charge costs about 63c, extrapolated from the 7.5 hours it took to charge from 20-100% at 1000w. For that amount you really don’t get 40 miles. I guess you might ,however it really isn’t practical since the final 20% is in “creep mode” at 17 mph. The car has 8 charges so far and can be expected to be more efficient reaching 100% at about 30 charges according to the manual. Realistically in Oklahoma driving 35 mph most of the time around town I get 15 miles in the green part of the charge meter(60%), another 5 in the yellow(20%), then probably another 10 in the red(20%) because it kicks into creep mode. Practically I will use it for 15-20 miles a day, which is perfect. With these real world numbers I estimate 6kwh will cost 26c and for that I will get 15 miles which is less than 2c/mile. Battery costs estimated at $2500 at today’s cost in 5 years, and 3000 miles a year add an additional 6c/mile. So in Oklahoma I get 8c/mile transportation for an out of pocket $3500 investment. This compares to a 40mpg vehicle at $2.80/gal (including oil changing costs)without the emissions. At $4.00/gal however it’s more like a 60mpg car. And if you are comparing hybrids, the battery cost has to come into play on the other side as well. This is a great deal in small town Oklahoma, where distance and speed are not an issue. I have encouraged others to at least look at the numbers and see if it might work for them.