What if the Electric Car was not Killed?

Last night I (finally) watched Who Killed the Electric Car? and it did not disappoint. It really made me angry to be honest. The electric car, which will supposedly renew the automobile industry and lead us into a clean green future, was available at least 10 years ago in a viable format. We all know what happened but watching the movie in light of the auto bailouts really got to me.

GM could have been a leader in the electric car segment. Instead they did things the way they still do and ended up bankrupt and needing billions of our dollars. Now, the technological edge that would lead us out of recession and into a more sustainable future has been squandered. If they were left to go bankrupt we may have saved ourselves from future blunders of this sort. I also find it odd that during the auto bankruptcies and bailouts there was never a mention that GM had already developed and destroyed the technology that the governments were demanding they develop as a condition of the loans. The whole thing stinks and it makes me really upset that we are still 10 years away from a breakthrough. I'm afraid that this business as usual approach will keep us 10 years away 10 years from now.

Detroit Auto Show

The Detroit Auto Show is under way and electric and hybrid cars are all over the place. I don't know if this will "save" the auto sector but it is generating some positive buzz after months of bad news. Hopefully when the new administration takes over there will be a clear plan on economic development and environmental policy going forward.

Green Automotive News

For all information about the Detroit Auto Show and other green developments in the automotive industry head on over to AutoblogGreen.

Another Electric Car Development

Google.Org, the philanthropic arm of Google (which also owns Blogger), has announced plans to fund the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The aspect that I find most intriguing is that the cars will be plugged-in to feed power back to the grid. You can find the details at their website. This video also has some information. Right now it looks like they're shooting for a 100mpg PHEV. I hope it works and they can get one for sale in my area.

The price of gas

I know the only real way to lower the price of gas is to stop using it but the price increases have really hit hard. The current structure of our economy forces many people to rely on a car to do anything. We've all heard the numerous excuses about why prices are so high: supply/demand, terrorism, geopolitical risk, lack of refining capacity, hurricane, oil prices are high etc.

A few things that should be examined are the connection between the price of a barrel of oil and your local gas pump. I've done a brief review and I don't see them moving in tandem as much as the oil companies say. Well, at least they don't move down as much. Can our demand patterns change? Even with prices getting higher that doesn't seem to be declining. Will the prices curb economic activity? By the looks of it, only for those who can't afford it. I don't think hybrids will save the day either. The Prius may be a great car but unless you do your research you'll never hear about the batteries or the electrical components. Ethanol? Only designed to subsidize farmers and create the appearance of action.

Regardless, gas prices are high for one reason. They can charge whatever they want because we need it. Until we have alternatives, or the oil boom busts, prices are only getting higher.

Electric Cars

I read an interesting list at Autoblog Green noting 10 electric cars that are available for purchase. Unlike the Chevy Volt or Tesla they are a little more readily available. I remember a few years ago reading about a company that would convert old Renaults into electric cars. That company, Feel Good Cars, now makes the ZENN, which stands for Zero Emissions No Noise. I like the look of it and on their site they have a calculation of conventional car costs compared to the ZENN. Maybe a little small depending on where you have to commute and the distance. I'm pretty excited about the availability of new technologies in the transportation sector. Some concerns are that while using plug-in electric vehicles will reduce CO2, it will be offset if they are charged by coal generated electricity. If your house is powered by solar or wind then I guess you could be carbon neutral on that front. Like any new technology, economies of scale and consumer demand will determine if it is viable in the longterm.

The Tesla

The electric car could give us some hope in reducing the damage of personal transportation. Also check out the Wiki on Nikola Tesla, from who the car gets its name.

Potential solutions

The Chevy Volt, an electric concept car, was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show recently. The debate surrounding the car was whether it was feasible. It was explained that the battery technology in the car was not ready for production. Autoblog Green has a good article summing it up and linking to both sides of the debate.

They also have a good post about vegetable oil as a fuel emission testing. It is technical but very important in the development of alternative fuels.

Fill 'er up

On Treehugger yesterday and on Autoblog Green today they both pointed out a Sierra Club review of the oil companies. Something to think about next time you go to fill up.

BP ranked as one of the better companies. I read the review of BP on the Sierra Club and didn't actually think they were that great. I didn't want to read any of the ones that were worse because I got a little nervous. They were also in the news today about their safety record. Nothing really good in that one either. Lots to think about next time you have to buy gas. While you're there and not really thinking about the price of gas anymore, take time to think about how low oil prices are compared to gas prices. Write some letters to the companies and political representatives who tell you it's supply and demand on world oil prices and all that jazz. Take a look at the Energy Information Administration website and review gasoline and crude inventories and compare it to retail and wholesale gasoline prices. Draw your own conclusions.

Green cars are getting more attention

At the Detroit Auto Show the big news is the Chevy Volt, the plug-in hybrid electric car from General Motors. While it is a long way from being in showrooms if you're in the market for a new car and want to be as green as possible check out the Green Center at Yahoo! Autos. Another excellent blog for green developments in the automotive/transportation sector is Autoblog Green.