Energy and EV Secrets

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Sunday Dec 22, 2013 – Energy and EV Secrets – I just finished reading Energy and EV Secrets by Russell Sydney.  This book is a great read for anyone trying to fathom what Plug-in cars are all about.

Russell Sydney earned his Master’s degree in International Development from UC Davis then went on to become one of the top international seminar leaders and also provided management consulting and training services.

In 2004 he began to working with the Sustainable Transportation Club in Santa Monica, CA and his efforts lead to Santa Monica becoming one of the Plug-in friendliest cities in the nation.  His efforts were also a driving factor in the creation of the annual Santa Monica Alt Fuel Vehicle Expo. 

He has also been a driving force for the creation of Farmer’s Markets throughout the State of California and was the primary organizer of one of the earliest Farmer’s Markets. 

He now lives in Ventura County where he continues as an advocate for Plug-in cars and was one of the organizers of this year’s highly successful Plug-in Day event in Oxnard.

A quick disclosure.  I know Russell personally and while I have only met him briefly a couple of times we have corresponded over the last ten or so years.  We both have a similar philosophy in that we both think there is room in the future not just for freeway capable electric cars but for other electric vehicles such as Local Use vehicles, electric scooters, and electric bikes.

EV and Energy Secrets gives answers to most of the questions that a prospective Plug-in car buyer might have when trying to make the decision to switch from the old gas car to a plug-in vehicle.  It lets you into the secrets of EV ownership.

It shows how much filling up that gas guzzler is costing and what this is doing to the household budget.  It explains what the impact of sending lots of money out of the country to fuel our oil addiction is costing in terms of jobs and the economy, and it explains how a plug-in car can fit into the family fleet.

All this is done in a way that is easy to read and more importantly easy to understand.  Over the years I have read and written much on this subject but Russell just seems to have found a way to tell this story in a much more understandable way than any other piece I have read on this subject. 

Some of the examples he gives are based on his experience here in Southern California and in places like London.  It helps a lot if you are familiar with the location as I am, but it is not essential.  Sure you may not understand what living “in Venice West of Lincoln Blvd.” really means but you will still understand the point that he is trying to make. 

The book does talk about some of the cars that are currently available and focuses a lot on the Chevy Volt.  This should be no surprise since that is what Russell drives and you write about what you know.  Still, Russell gives a good run down of the different types of electric transport by class and explains succinctly how these different classes of vehicle might be incorporated into the family fleet.  After reading this book you should have a good idea if a NEV would fit your lifestyle or if you commute would be just too much for a full EV.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is considering buying a plug-in car but is unsure about how it would work for them, or for someone who is just plain fed up of having their wallet sucked dry at the gas station. 

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