Quote:
Originally Posted by Power Hungry
Some may list this as environmentalist propaganda, but the documentary " Who Killed the Electric Car" was quite enlightening. After being in the automotive industry for 25 years, there are a few facts that pertain the handling of the electric car I can personally attest to and some that I found quite shocking.
If you've seen the movie (recently aired on the "Green" channel), it is something that really makes you think for a minute. If not, and you're the least bit confused about how greedy corporations and an apathetic government work hand in hand to suppress innovation and technology while keep Americans dependent on fossil fuels, then this is an interesting way to spend two hours.
Who Killed the Electric Car? |
There are great monetary savings for companies (and consumers) associated with keeping the "status quo", aren't there? If your major product development costs are slanted toward mostly cosmetic or "convenience" improvements, that grab a consumer's attention, those costs can be kept low and profits can be maximized.
To create a radically new product, such as the electric car, will require a major commitment on the part of industry. Not only does it require a completely new, practical vehicle design, but the supporting infrastructure (power stations) will have to be put in place everywhere. Additionally, the design of the vehicle will need refining to make it as "convenient" as a petroleum powered vehicle. Charging times will have to be reduced, or the vehicle will never be practical for trips. Finally, consumer demand will have to rise, possibly through Government incentives to make the switch. We're already seeing incentives to buy CFLs instead of ordinary incandescent light bulbs, incentives to upgrade heating, air conditioning and insulation and so on. Why not have the same thing for vehicles? Possibly, it would be a better use of "bailout" money than giving it to the banks.
- Jack