32 -— Friday, January 17, 1992 — North Shore News AUTOMOTIVES LA301 drivers will have use of special traffic-free lanes From page 31 speeds of 50 km/h or more are reached. In its all-electric mode, the LA301 has a range of up to 100 kilometres while the gasoline engine extends this range to 240 kilometres. Since 90% of all car trips in Los Angeles are statistical- ly shorter than 65 kilometres, it is anticipated that the LA301 will operate in its all-electric mode most of the time. Though the LA301 uses a fairly low-tech 216-volt sealed lead-acid type battery, it has been designed .to accept more advanced batteries, such as Sodium Sulfur and Nickel Cadmium, when they become avaiiable at a lower cost. The lead-acid battery is consid- ered to be safe and maintenance- free and CleanAir estimates that it will have a life of three to four years and will cost about $2,000 “to replace. However, CleanAir claims the LA301 will be cheaper to operate than a conventional gasoline or diesel-engined com- pact car, citing the lower cust of electric power and reduced maintenance costs. A complete, overnight , battery charge is estimated to cost about one dollar. . The LA301 is energy-saving in other ways too. The body panels are made from lightweight plastic, its tires were specially developed for low rolling resistance, and its two-speed automatic transmission and electronic powertrain . Management system are designed to use as little energy as possible. The California Air Resources Board estimates that the LA301 is 97% more energy-efficient than a conventional gasoline-engined car, even taking into account pollution caused by powerplanis producing electricity. Drivers of the LA301 in Los Angeles will be able ta use the “diamond fane,”’ a special traf- fic-free lane normally reserved for cars with two or more passengers. Even though the LA301_ is energy-efficient, CleanAir has taken into account current buyers’ expectations. The LA301 is of- fered with power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, elec- tronically-operated windows, leather trim option, stereo cassette player, solar-powered ventilation, and an optional Travel Pilot Navigation System, still under de- velopment, It remains to be seen whether the LA30I’s performance will be enough to satisfy car-buyers. The LA301 is heavy for a compact car, weighing 1,770 kilograms (3,894 Ibs.). Its acceleration time from 0 to 80 km/h is 17 seconds, about twice that of an ordinary economy car. The LA301’s top speed of 120 km/h means that the small 650-cc engine will be working pretty hard at 100 km/h, indicating a signifi- cant amount of engine noise. However, it appears inevitable § that electric cars and electric hybrids will be an impertant part of our future transportation system. Even though battery tech- nology still has a long way to go and the first electric vehicles will probabiy need a lot of refining, it’s certainly a step in the right di- rection. National moderator visits W. Van Presbyterian church THE REVEREND John R. Cameron, ‘moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, will preach at West Vancouver Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. “Since the moderator oniy serves for one year and we are a denomination of over 1,000 chur- ches in Canada, it is an honor that Dr. Cameron can take the time to visit us,’’ says Reverend D. lan Victor, West Vancouver Presbyterian Church minister. “During his year of office, the highest honorary position of the General Assembly, the moderator * travels extensively both in Canada and abroad. With such a busy schedule, only a few churches get to welcome him in worship,’’ ex- plains Victor. Dr. Cameron, who is also minister at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he has served for !8 years, is in Van- couver as part of a national lead- ership training team. Dr. Cameron was elected mod- erator at the 317th General Assembly in June 1991. He serves THE REV. John R. Cameron until June 1992 when a new mod- erator will be elected at the 118th General Assembly in Hamilton, Ontario. West Vancouver Presbyterian Church, which is located at 289 Marine Drive, extends a warm welcome to one and all to atiend this special service. Sunday school and nursery are available. Refreshments will be served fol- lowing worship. Call 926-1812 for more information. BCS MOST FLEXIBLE Be: to? savings. 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