Winter?

[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?

[Jackpine]

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

[sam8]

Jack;
I have no problem whatsoever evaluating things we can see and quanitfy for ourselves. If it comes from some guy workring on a gov't. grant, or for a co., then I don't trust it. Sorry.
As I said, I agree that there is something going on. Is it simply the cyclic nature of weather or an actual disruption in the cyclic global climate patterns is what still remains unanswered, as is the cause, if it is indeed a disruption.
Humans simply have not been collecting accurate data long enough to know. In the 70's, when I was in high school, we were being taught that all indicators showed an ice age was enroute. In the 80's, when I was in college, we began to hear the opposite. One large volcanic eruption during any given measurment period also skewes the data, and Lord knows we have had a few of those in the past 30 years or so. Also, one must take a long, hard look at what impact the western civilizations can have on the problem (if any) by changing our lifestlyes, driving electric cars, etc, when it is clear that China and the developing 3rd world has absolutely no intention whatsoever to follow any plan put forth to control fossil fuels, etc. China is opening something like 1 new coal-fired power plant per week. China is also buying the Hummer line from GM...My mother was in China about 20 years ago, and returned recnetly for a short visit. She commented that bicycles seemed to outnumber cars ten to one on her first visit, and the ratio appears to have reversed!
Oh, and as much as I hate to do it to you, if you have not been in G.V. in the past 15 years or so, you will be disappointed with what has happened to our little town. Too many flatlanders moving in and wanting to flatlanderize the foothills. I have been here since '76, and think things started downhill when they built the McDonalds in Brunswick.

Bill, as far as conspiracies by corporate & gov't types to crush innovation so as to continue filling their own pockets, you bet I agree 100%.
Raging American greed has helped us get to where we are right now, and I don't just mean companies, either. Companies are run by people. When coupled with the,"get it all right now no matter what", attitude folks have these days it is a recipe for disaster. No morals, no responsibility, no respect for your neighbor or yourself. We lost our national identity during the 3 different decades I was working. I watched it happen. People do not take pride in themselves. People do not take pride in the way they raise their children; they are not teaching them the responsibility that goes with citizenship and the honor that goes with a hard days work done well to the best of one's ability.
There is not enough God in our lives; not enough humility.
The health of their country is not even on their radar. They take no responsibility for it, nor interest in it.
The federal gov't. has gone so far beyond the powers granted it by the Constitution it boggles my mind.
And here we are. Ripe for a socialist, power hungry federal gov't. to institute a complete silent revocation of our Constitution, while America is busy watching American Idol.
Sorry for the rant, folks. I am rather passionate in my love for this Country, and in my personal beliefs.
I spent my career having sworn an oath to protect the people of my community, and as my signature indicates, people I love are doing the same.