iVans go) jelectric} AUTOMOTIVE engineer. are ex- perimenting with a number of alternative fuels. including pro- pane, natural gas and gasohol. Another alternative ‘‘fuel’’ has now been incorporated into the first assembly-line production vehicles — electricity. The idea isn’t new. General Motors produced an elec- tric-powered truck in 1916, but it was sidelined in favor of gasoline-driven trucks. As recently as 1979, GM built 35 electric vans that were road tested commer- cially. However, short battery life and a short daily driving range made them impractical. Now from GM in England comes the Griffon — a 5,500- pound van that is mass produced by GM's Bedford Commercial Vehicle Division. The Griffon is a 106-inch- wheel-base van with a top speed of about 80 km/h and a daily driving range of about 80 to 100 kilometres between recharging. The van's 36 6-volt lead-acid batteries require eight hours recharging on 240 volts AC, and they have an estimated four-year lifespan based on nearly 18,000 kilometres of us2 per year. Unlike traditional gasoline- powered vehicles, the Griffon has no transmission — only a foot brake, accelerator and a switch for forward, neutral ard reverse. It does not require oil or coolant, and maintenance consists of topping the battery water level about once every three weeks. Priced in the $20,000 range, the Griffon van features both the longest battery lifespan and daily NEW CAR BOOK Cut your car’s fuel bill MONEY-SAVING tips on how you can reduve your vehicle’s fuel consumption and lengthen its life span will be available free-of- charge in The Car Economy Book from Energy, Mines and Resources Canada. Since 1978, The Car Economy Book (previously known as The Car Mileage Book) has provided thousands of Canadians with sim- ple guidelines on how to buy, drive and maintain new and used cars in an energy-efficient, money-saving manner. The book demonstrates how improved driving habits and com- mon sense maintenance routines can result in substantial savings for vehicle owners. Did you know, for example, that underinflated tires wear out faster, waste fuel and are potentially dan- gerous? According to The Car Economy Book, tire pressure should be checked at least twice a month, before you drive, and should be inflated to pressures specified in your car owner's man- ual. This simple procedure alone could reduce fuel costs by four per cent. Removal of snow tires early in the spring and the use of radial rather than bias ply tires are also proven methods of reducing fuel consumption. Another money-saving tip is to use the car’s flow-through ventila- tion instead of windows or air conditioning. Use of air conditioning in stop- * COMPLETE MECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICE « COMPLETE COLLISION REPAIRS & PAINTING “All makes & models of cars, trucks & RV's” g@ I.C.B.C. VENDOR gw ALL WORK CONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED. * “FREE COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE” * OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:30-5:30 VS - Wednesday. Careful planning of trips can also reduce furl costs. Often sev- eral errands can be sccomplished in a single trip. (Az estimated 30 per cent of fuel costs is spent on trips of less than & km.) Planning also allows a driver time to reach a destination. Driv- ing ‘against the clock’ !eads to speeding, sharp braking and un- necessary acceleration — all of which increase fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicle. August 6, 1986 - North Shore News Maintaining posted highway speeds, accelerating strongly but smoothly when merging with traf- fic, avoiding sudden starts and stops and anticipating changes in traffic flow will all contribute to fuel and cost savings. The new Car Economy Book will be available in September 1986. For a free copy write to the Communications Branch, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, 8th Floor, 580 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OE4. = E>) SAVE GAS = BOOST POWER If you us@ your car tn your business or are interested in Detter performance and substantial gas savings you should install without delay... SHE REMARKABLE UNICURVE VALVE °29: Plus $150 P&P add $210 PST = $3355 The Unicurve valve is an ingenious BW soca 0 vacuum control device which takes advantage of your engine's hidden power. Installs in just a few minutes in any car or boat engine equipped with a distributor and vacuum advance pot. If your engine is tuned, you wil! notice a substantial savings in fuel and a zesty new responsiveness. (90 day money-back guarantee) cat 2737831 on 273-3874 ITS ASOUT TIME Why didn't someone think of this hefore? driving range of any previous or Visa & Mastercard acceptea =" he, existing electric vehicle of its type. Complete One Stop s Service Centre . Your | MOTORS — TRANSMISSIONS — RIMS RADIALS & BIAS TIRES — RADIATORS STARTERS — ALTERNATORS BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS A & W Automotive 275 Pemberton, North Vancouver 980-1926 980-4993 WHY PAY MORE? ony 90 tcoating adds Let our factorg{tn mechanics keep. your. “ear in good condition “through the year. a #]. - Undercoating 12 All weather un quiet to your car #2. Rust Proofing oniy g5” A vase precaution indeed to fur- ther insure your investment #3. Super Shine onty 45" Netiner sun, fain. smog, neat. cold, salt or snow Can hurl thus tough beautiful high gloss shine #4. Scotch Guard only 45” Protects you’ seats & carpats etc Total price $370 Fot the tnest shatrpocing wnrels, etc PI tor NORTH VAN UNDERCOATING LTD. INSTALL THE BEST TES NISSAN PARTS NORTHSHORE NISSAN LTD. SERVICE 985-9311 1160 Marine Drive, N.Van. PARTS 985-1513 27th year of service to tens of thousands of domestic & foreign car & ont truck owners Radiator and Air-Conditionirks For fast. protesstona’ repairs and service of your cooling system anc/or ar conditioner, come direct to the spec.uhsts DRIVE IN SERVICE Just off Pemberton drive afound oack Mon-Fri 8 00 - 5 3U. Sat 8 OG - 3.30 NOR EST RADIATORS 1175 Wast 14th St. N.V. 984.0374 Over 35 years on the North Shore .C.B.C. vendor BCAA approved A.R.A. certified Quality workmanship — Trustworthy service 985-7455 BCAA Approved 174 Femberton Ave. N. Van