A Future That Doesn’t Guzzle
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/automobiles/autoshow/12electric.html
The world’s automakers unveiled, at the Detroit Auto Show this week, a number of hybrid gas-electric and battery-powered models, several of which might not be available for years to come.
The vehicles on display include the forthcoming Nissan Leaf...the 39-inch-wide Tango,...Toyota..a family of hybrids that would carry the name of its Prius sedan..Honda showed the CR-Z, a plug-in hybrid version of the CR-X....General Motors is betting on its Chevrolet Volt... Ford Motor Company plans to build an electric version of its compact sedan, the Focus...
I read through the coverage and was underwhelmed. This is baby steps at the very most.
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
I agree, but it means that the car industry is taking peak oil more serious than the consumers.
Not much of a market at the moment, but they expect a change.
The one outstanding piece of news to me is that Mercedes is planning to deliver 200 EV cars this year. Unfortunately not in Australia....
But that is one big baby of a company, and a step that might deliver an EV as mature as the first generation Toyota Prius Hybrids were 12 years ago. They might just work!
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There is always a way if there is no other way!
EV makers of passenger cars face a very difficult challenge to produce a volume seller, that is accepted by the general public as a principal car. The EV car is still a fairly unattractive proposition outside of a niche market due to uncompetitive pricing, low range and speed.
Where you will see real EV progress (especially in Australia) is in commercial applications, buses, light delivery, etc. In this market the EV can compete on economic terms since the emotive purchasing selection of private car ownership, is not a consideration when buying a commercial vehicle.
marcopolo
I admire what you have done here.