Driving through historic cities and towns of the East Coast of the United States has been on my agenda for a long time, finally having a chance of realizing it last week. It was of little coincidence and good design that PAAIA, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian-Americans was being held in Washington, D.C. around the same time, on the anniversary of Anousheh Ansari’s ascent to the International Space Station. It was also the anniversary of
Edison2 winning the X PRIZE, making automotive history and setting new standards for tremendous positive impact on the planet.
Last I updated my blog three months ago, on my trip to the International Space Development Conference in Huntsville, Alabama. It was certainly in preparation for great things to come in the future, speaking of which, we’re in it now thanks to my friends. A chance to visit Edison2 weighed heavy in my decision to go.
Oliver Kuttner, Founder and CEO and I had met in San Diego earlier in March, when he talked about how he had pulled the dream team together to win the X PRIZE, their current endeavors, my involvement in space projects, and running for political office in Iran. If anyone could challenge me on a certain level of acumen, Oliver Kuttner has to be the one himself. He gave me good advice which I did take seriously since he has met or is friends with countless politicians and I trust his judgment with that respect.
After meeting with him, I was on a new mission. Summer with kids occupied my time in addition to some other projects I was deeply involved with. At the end of summer, the first thing I decided to do was pay back a visit to Oliver and Edison2. I wanted to see The Invention up close. The Very Light Car was quite frankly the Flux Capacitor Car of my dreams, ever since watching my favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future at age 16 and I could not wait any longer than I already had to see it.
I flew to the East Coast on the second week of September, visited my friend Usha and her family, originally from Nepal, in Maryland. Usha is a top researcher for the University of Maryland’s Medical School. Her husband, Niranjan Pandey, is a post-doc graduate from Harvard, a Biophysics professor at Johns Hopkins whose research involves finding a cure for breast cancer, one type of blindness, and a rare form of brain cancer. Their two sons, Nirakar and Nichi, along with Usha’s nephew, Danny, were just accepted to Baltimore’s prestigious Gilman school for boys. Usha took me to Fort McHenry, where we participated in the folding and unfolding of the American flag. It will be a treasured experience.
When the time came for me to visit Edison2, things couldn’t go smoother than I would otherwise plan extensively. I drove to Virginia, enjoying every minute. Lynchburg came into sight on a beautiful day with perfect weather. I arrived at the R&D facilities and was guided to meet some of the
crew. Familiar faces I had seen in the media included Brad Jaeger, Director of R&D, and David Brown, Communications Director who showed me around. The Five Million Dollar check hung high on a wall, and the globe trophy by X PRIZE was showcased near the entrance. Both Brad and David took time to answer my questions.
It was incredible to see the cars up close. There were three versions of the vehicle on the floor, one a bigger electric model based on the original 85% EtOH (15% gasoline, 85% ethanol blend), that won PIAXP in mainstream category. The third was a blue with a smart engine. We took pictures and I had a chance to sit in the electric version, which could fit 4 easily and in fact very comfortably. A writer at a loss for words is the best compliment one could use to describe something, and the case was exactly that when I sat in the car as Brad explained how things worked. What had originally drawn me to the concept of 85% EtOH, was countless hours of solving thermodynamic equations two decades earlier, relating to the same concept. Knowing how difficult it was to achieve what Edison2 had in practicality, I had tremendous appreciation for the brilliant mechanical engineering of the car. The electric was an evolution from the first, with almost exactly the same exterior design, only bigger. Aside from its fuel-efficiency factor, I couldn’t hold back praise on exterior, which will raise eyebrows once it is showcased on the road. I can’t wait to see it for myself.
Oliver arrived while I was talking to the crew. He most definitely has presence when he appears somewhere, and though I knew from past experience that anything I’d say he would challenge, I did not feel one bit anxious. The gentleman is exactly that as he makes people very comfortable. I sat with him briefly while he managed things. At some point David handed a script to Oliver and I, and asked us to grade it. The exercise was fun as the draft passed with flying colors. Then Oliver invited me on an excursion to see the city before we headed to Charlottsville for dinner. He gave me a quick tour, while we came across several buildings he owns in Lynchburg.
Later that evening in Charlottsville, we were accompanied by Brad and his talented artist girlfriend Elaine Butcher at a trendy French restaurant in downtown, the Tempo. All along, I couldn’t help notice the familiarity of downtown Charlottsville to Boulder, Colorado’s Pearl Street Mall, where I had lived and gone to school at some point. It was a zen moment when Elaine mentioned the designer of both landmarks was the same. We met Brice Cunningham, owner, who recognized Oliver right away and gave detailed explanation of how the meals were prepared. It was obvious this was Brice's passion.
The next day, after breakfast we walked through downtown again where Oliver owns several prominent buildings and has renovated. Oliver’s uncle has been one of the wealthiest men in America, yet, Oliver never used family money to succeed. A self-made entrepreneur, he has done it all on his own since an early age. Through two decades in the auto racing world, his keen vision for a highly efficient car has materialized in Edison2, thus revolutionizing an entire industry, and they did not stop there. During the past year, they have become very involved in education initiatives from public K-12th schools to local universities. He is also a heavyweight row crew champion. Nowadays his main focus is of course, Edison2, while they have a legacy to uphold. As visionaries who see and believe in healthy competition, Oliver and his team are determined to continue helping the industry in making light, aerodynamic cars mainstream.
Key features of the car include less energy to move: 5.3 hp to cruise at 60 mph, the effectiveness of the platform (car) to make any energy source much more efficient, but in particular an electric drive, since it means a smaller battery pack, realistic range, 300+ mpge. It can recharge using a standard 110v outlet in 6 - 7 hours. The combination of low mass, mainstream materials and design simplicity mean this car will be affordable, potentially at less than $20,000. With its all-around superior design, it could actually be priced at the very high end, but Edison2’s priority is making the car mainstream, hence the affordability strategy. I’ve shown pictures to people who have expressed high interest in purchasing it already, as I am in line myself.
I left Edison2 and Oliver Kuttner with a very good sense about the future of this planet. An example I used to explain how appreciative I personally am for their efforts, was of stepping out of the airplane in Tehran, Iran, almost suffocating because it is that difficult to breathe the air there. Because of the poor air quality caused by car emissions with no regulation in place whatsoever, millions upon millions of people suffer on a daily basis. If I could imagine a perfect Iran, Edison2 would most definitely be the standard car to observe on the streets.
The next day I was on my way to attend the PAAIA event, Passing the Torch of Success, in Washington, D.C. I’d supported and been to their first event held at UCLA in Spring 2009. Much has happened since. Through Middle Eastern Revolutions brought on by the unprecedented spark factor of social media in remarkably short time, I’ve kept busy by joining a few organizations and causes, including Space Renaissance, streamlining efforts in areas involving the future of this planet. In fact, I had written about Edison2 in an earlier
post, recognizing the enormous potential positive impact of the car on the environment, and circulating it through the forum at Space Renaissance, soon after they had won the X PRIZE.
As my friend Usha and I drove around the city, visiting the Lincoln Memorial, seeing the White House, and several other landmarks, once more I thought about my incredible good fortune to have had a chance to make this journey, particularly having been invited to Edison2, where the future (phase 2) is being designed ever so intelligently.
