As a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the growing uncertainty with the situation in the Middle East, South America and Europe, the United States is now forced to re-think its energy policy so that it can lower energy consumption of and dependence on foreign oil. Just as the automobile replaced the horse-drawn carriage so it is time for the electric battery to replace the gasoline engine. We are at the dawn of a new age when one can plug their car into an electric outlet and re-charge it for travel up to sixty miles or more. But with any wholesale change comes the requirement of a transitional mechanism. Hence the need for a vehicle that can run alternatively on both gasoline and electricity. The goal of course would be to make a total conversion within a reasonable amount of time. Most of the electricity produced in the United States comes from coal-fired power plants so the concern by some is that a reduction in tailpipe emissions would be offset by an increase in air pollution from the power plants. Others argue that the sheer volume of reduced vehicle emissions would fall far greater than plant-produced air pollution. We may even see a coalition of military hawks and environmentalists as fuel efficiency brings about both security and a better climate.
Few would argue that two factors influence consumer's choice of transportation more than anything else: gas mileage and appearance. Ever since the automobile became available to the average consumer, it has always been considered a status symbol much like the clothing we wear and the houses we live in. The price of electricity is pale compared to the price of gasoline so this factor is virtually a no-brainer. The choice of appearance however, will always linger as long as we believe that "appearance makes the person". But this factor can also be addressed during the transition phase since it appears that most vehicles today can be modified to use both fuel sources. As for the future, the old tried and true marketing techniques will convince most people that buying the style of car available will guarantee that the "future won't pass them by". Just as ***anese cars promoting fuel efficiency in response to the oil embargo of the 1970's sparked the Big Three to respond accordingly so will the shift to electric vehicles change the market once again. Perhaps this time General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler will get the "jump on the competition" and in so doing, save themselves from bankruptcy.
I personaly dont care what something looks like or if other like looking at what i have i dont buy anything for someone else or to impress them. Make it out of rocks or into a box with wheels.
Affordability& functionability to the task at hand is what matters to me.Not some yuppies idea of what looks nice& saving the planet from the falling sky.
Work on the 60 mile range limitation & how many tons it can hual over a mtn pass= we are not all metrosexuals who need there hair fluffed, there facials& nails done down the street while sipping latte,s
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Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.-- Ovid (43 B.C.-A.D. 18)
Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was. ~Will Rogers
Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.
"Shouldn't someone tag Mr. Kennedy's 'bold new imaginative program' with its proper age?" "Under the tousled boyish haircut it is still old Karl Marx—first launched a century ago.
There is nothing new in the idea of a government being Big Brother to us all. R.Reagan-1960
More nukes, more bio diesel, and more ethanol! There are gas stations in Nebraska selling 85% alchohol fuel, for $1.54 a gallon. Even if farm fuels were $3.00 a gallon I would much rather pay $3.00 knowing that 100% of that $3.00 is staying the USA!
Bush has no energy plan! Drill at ANWAR and offer $4,000 tax credit for buying hybreds!!!
What kind of a plan is that? An oilmans plan it sounds like to me!
More nukes, more bio diesel, and more ethanol! There are gas stations in Nebraska selling 85% alchohol fuel, for $1.54 a gallon
Wow good deal on the alochol fuel- yep i agree more biofuels& nuk plants.
And yer right no one seems to have a plan to do anything much like that i saw either.
__________________
Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.-- Ovid (43 B.C.-A.D. 18)
Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was. ~Will Rogers
Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.
"Shouldn't someone tag Mr. Kennedy's 'bold new imaginative program' with its proper age?" "Under the tousled boyish haircut it is still old Karl Marx—first launched a century ago.
There is nothing new in the idea of a government being Big Brother to us all. R.Reagan-1960
How much for the camry -Paying above sticker price for it Joe?
__________________
Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.-- Ovid (43 B.C.-A.D. 18)
Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was. ~Will Rogers
Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.
"Shouldn't someone tag Mr. Kennedy's 'bold new imaginative program' with its proper age?" "Under the tousled boyish haircut it is still old Karl Marx—first launched a century ago.
There is nothing new in the idea of a government being Big Brother to us all. R.Reagan-1960
A friend of mine once objected to my Taurus because of its appearance -- presumably looking like the car of a "married with children" type. I was flabbergasted by this assessment, because I don't base much of my car decisions on appearance. But some do.
You left out some very important parameters in your discussion. Drive away price is very important. Total cost of ownership -- cost of operating over the life of the vehicle -- is very important. Gas mileage is part of this TCO, but not all of it. Maintenance enters into the picture.
Performance is important. I drive a Chevy Suburban with the Z-71 off-road package . . . and I drive a Toyota Corolla. My Corolla doesn't do a very good job towing my boat. My Corolla is a little cramped when my wife and I take our three children and their friends to six flags: I just hate hearing the screams from the trunk from the three kids who drew the short straws and had to pack in like sardines back there! I just drove to Illinois and back from Texas this past weekend in my Corolla. I'm too cheap to pay the the extra money for gasoline, or I sure would have been driving the more comfortable Suburban over this 2,000 mile trip (900 there, 900 back, some driving there). I hate to think about driving my Corolla down two-tracks in Wyoming while pronghorn antelope hunting or up forest service roads in dubious mountain conditions involving a bit of snow when elk hunting. My Corolla was scaping bottom just driving up my sister's gravel driveway at her rural farmhouse this past weekend!!! My Corolla sucks when if comes to bringing home furniture from my mother-in-law's house or coiled flexible tubing for making French Drains. The Corolla is great for commuting to work. But I have vehicular needs beyond this.
Relative to electricity prices versus gasoline prices. If nothing else, our electricity is predominantly generated from burning fossil fuels mined in the US, meaning our electricity is not dependent on foreign suppliers. At the same time, if burning fossil fuels is bad for the environment -- CO2 emissions, acid rain precursors, O3 precursors -- be advised you are still burning the fossil fuels when you zip around in an electric vehicle, just not at the location of the vehicle. Further, be advised the electric distribution system is not perfect and substantial energy losses occur during transmission. Others can provide definitive figures, but I would not be surprised to find that in the most efficient distribution systems only 33% of the energy released by burning fossil fuels in electric generating plants is delivered to our homes. Then the conversion of electrical energy in our homes -- in fan motors, toasters, charging batteries in hybrid vehicles or in electric vehicles -- is not 100% efficient either.
Energy
