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Author Topic: We'll pay for auto industry's monumental waste
skeptikool
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posted 26 February 2006 02:23 PM      Profile for skeptikool        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
While there will be excitement and great moral support accompanying 40 teams as they race around the world in a mix of hybrid and fuel cell cars in 2008, we must ask how this can possibly benefit drivers or the environment.

Consider, even, the fuelling and technical support teams that must accompany such a venture. The costs will be staggering and will certainly be passed on to put these vehicles, when available, more out of reach.

The race is to start in New York and end in Paris.
source: The Province - 26 Feb 06

I see here a delaying tactic. Far better that money be applied to fast tracking the manufacture of these vehicles for delivery to the public.


From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
Andrew_Jay
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posted 26 February 2006 02:46 PM      Profile for Andrew_Jay        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by skeptikool:
Far better that money be applied to fast tracking the manufacture of these vehicles for delivery to the public.
Even better, how about some kind of publicity to promote these vehicles to the public, and build some consumer demand for when they are available?

Hey, how about that, a race around the world seems to fit the bill nicely.


From: Extremism is easy. You go right and meet those coming around from the far left | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
BCseawalker
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posted 26 February 2006 04:26 PM      Profile for BCseawalker        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think there is consumer demand. The failure of NA auto manufacturers to recognize consumer concern about climate change and the environment and the attendant interest in alternative fuel/technology is one reason why they did so poorly last year. They're far behind import manufacturers, such as Toyota.

I'm one consumer who has no car and been waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... for alternative fuel vehicles - and the infrastructure to support them - to gain ascendancy and their prices to come down. It's damn frustrating, because it's clearly not going to happen until the North American car manufacturers get their act together.


From: Unspecified | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged
oUtHEre
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posted 26 February 2006 04:34 PM      Profile for oUtHEre     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Easy being green
From: tORonTo | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged
skeptikool
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posted 26 February 2006 04:35 PM      Profile for skeptikool        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
An excellent argument, Andrew_Jay. It would work, even if it was scaled down to two vehicles come race time - might even talk themselves out of it totally. You don't think the industry is capable of such duplicity, do you?

I'd still like to see the increased exposure brought about by the industry making the vehicles more readily available. This could be aided immeasurably by governments permitting transferable insurance between vehicles and, of course, in the early stages, at least, foregoing the taxes on them.


From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
skeptikool
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posted 26 February 2006 05:17 PM      Profile for skeptikool        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
BCseawalker
quote:
I'm one consumer who has no car and been waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... for alternative fuel vehicles - and ...

There are probably fewer areas in which trickle down (no pun intended) has been contrived, than in the development of rechargable batteries. That and, of course, deliberately withheld battery technology.

It is therefore encouraging to read of Subaru's pure electric R1E (concept) auto. Reportedly, it has a range of 120 kilometres using a magnesium lithium-ion battery the size of a breadbox.(recharged in 15 minutes) Would not such a vehicle perform the commute to and from work for the vast majority? And just supposing one was to sacrifice some trunk space for a couple more of those "breadboxes".

More innovation from offshore. Unfortunately, we again award Brownie points as we wait for "concept" to become actuality.


From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
Nanuq
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posted 26 February 2006 05:50 PM      Profile for Nanuq   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The problem with electric cars is that they increase the demand for electricity which means more power plants are needed to supply it. Wind and solar aren't going to be enough to meet the extra demand so more nuclear or gas powered plants will have to be built. Green power isn't necessarily all that green.
From: Toronto | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
lagatta
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posted 26 February 2006 06:01 PM      Profile for lagatta     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Although electric motor vehicles (cars, trucks, ambulances etc). are very useful for uses in which mobility is of the essence, in cities the whole car-centred model must be scrapped in favour of public transport and pedestrian-friendly town planning. Postwar urban sprawl has been a disaster, and cities must grow up (while providing a lot of trees and public parks) rather than out.

Not just thinking of the largest cities either. I've visited a number of mid-sized towns in Québec and Ontario where the walkable centre is ringed with sprawl.


From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged

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