Comments on: Column: On the Road

By: bc

bc — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:28:59 +0000

so does this make you feel any better -

Michigan is expanding its tax incentive program for companies developing and making advanced batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill into law Monday adding $220 million to the program. Granholm earlier this year signed legislation starting the initiative with refundable tax credits worth up to $335 million.

By: Rob Cleveland

Rob Cleveland — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:18:37 +0000

GM also has working, prototype hydrogen vehicles too so I agree with you minus the sarcasm. But if you’re adamant that EVs and hydrogen technology won’t work, then you better start campaigning now to get Cheney into the White House by 2012 to guarantee our oil supplies. He’ll be more than happy to take Iran out (shock and awe part deux starring Charlie Sheen) to keep them from disrupting Middle East oil markets. Of course we’ll have to re-open Gitmo to take care of all of those enemy combatants but hey sacrificing our moral standing around the world is a lot easier than trying to bring EV technology to the mass market.

By: JW

JW — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:30:23 +0000

Right on! Why wait until 2010 (GM has already indicated the Chevy Volt will be introduced in the fall of next year)? Because, clearly, if the hand-build and massaged prototypes are good enough for the automotive press, the vehicle is ready for volume production for the general public. Why not 2009? Those bumbling idiots are really dragging their feet on this since a full series hybrid Volt is just one step away from an electric Chevette. For real Change, the Government should also mandate that Federal Motors produce hydrogen fuel cell cars *now* since that technology has also been around a long time.

By: Rob Cleveland

Rob Cleveland — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:15:51 +0000

The “process” at GM alone has been going on since the 1970s when that company introduced an electrically powered version of the Chevette, called the Electrovette powered by 12 lead-acid batteries. That was followed up in the mid 90s by the EV1. If either of these programs were mandated in some way at their onset, we would have 20 to 40 years of electric vehicle powertrain evolution under our belt. ICE technology has had 110 years of R&D. When do you cut the cord and take those first steps towards the mass market? And when does criticism ever stop? Even gasoline engines are prone review, critique and outright failure. I think the time has come both in technology and consumer sentiment to take a leap of faith and get on with it, rather than gnashing our teeth about what might be.

By: bc

bc — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:13:40 +0000

great – rush the process (and progress) so they launch electric vehicles early before the kinks are out. that won’t open them to criticism at all, will it?!

By: Milo

Milo — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:45:58 +0000

I agree that a new energy policy is much needed, and a great way to invigorate the auto industry, but government mandates that companies make a particular type of vehicle won’t bring Detroit back to profitability. As long as the government allows the price of gasoline to remain cheap (under $4 gallon), demand and profits will be in large, low mpg cars. We are a consumer economy,the government should try to stimulate the demand for efficient cars, not force the supply.