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Electric Avenue is More than a Detour ...Auto Makers

Globeandmail.com -- By Simon Houpt and Joanna Slater

Excerpts

"Hype over the new battery-powered Volt from GM may be surging but every major car maker has jumped onto what some are already calling a global revolution."

"And, he adds, there’s a patriotic reason to drive an electric car.

“With the founding of this country, we did not want to be dependent on any foreign government or kings."

"...the potential market for electric vehicles may not yet be deep, but it is unexpectedly broad."

(And yes, while he recognizes Canada isn’t a Middle Eastern kingdom, he’d rather the U.S. buy oil from us..." )

"Mr. Trepp ...“I’m a born-and-raised Republican, but things like the B.P. oil spill, if that doesn’t underscore our need to start thinking in this direction, I don’t know what I don’t know what would,"

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Submitted Aug 01, 2010 By: UncleCurt

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Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,980 Points:1,176,120 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2010 9:17:47 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse OK!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,285 Points:1,145,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 3, 2010 5:41:02 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Art48: some people just can't handle a change of mind.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,285 Points:1,145,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 3, 2010 5:40:10 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Most ppl on this board recently indicated in a self-polling that they drive less than 200 miles a week. E-cars would be great for that, esp if solar stations provide electricity while someone is at work.
vandamme Champion Author New York Posts:1,021 Points:118,085 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2010 7:12:46 AM Ignore vandamme Report Abuse A Leaf is good for most all the driving I do. If Obama subsidizes it, so much the better.
Art48 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,586 Points:96,255 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:38:03 PM Ignore Art48 Report Abuse Bubba44612 - I guess you haven't gotten a chance to see one. Golf carts they're not.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,198 Points:1,423,995 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:07:51 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse At $40K for a golf cart not to many people will be driving them in the future.
Art48 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,586 Points:96,255 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:57:00 PM Ignore Art48 Report Abuse Voltus - "did we forget that car battery components are more scarce than oil itself?" Did we forget battery components are recyclable, oil isn't.
915Chief Champion Author San Diego Posts:6,066 Points:1,204,220 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:56:32 PM Ignore 915Chief Report Abuse uh-huh....isn't it ironic that a lot of these cars may be recharged by electricity from coal plants?
opecsucks76 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,716 Points:713,825 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:49:12 PM Ignore opecsucks76 Report Abuse Great song by Eddie Grant.
VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,698 Points:873,460 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:48:08 PM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse Are we gonna rock on down to Electric Avenue? [Edited by: VDubBill at 8/1/2010 11:49:34 PM EST]
lross94 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,304 Points:903,405 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:41:21 PM Ignore lross94 Report Abuse The electric car will never replace the gasoline engine. The patriotic act would be to remove the drilling bans we have in place and start drilling for oil. That would spur the economy unlike we have seen in a long time. Companies would start hiring workers, gas prices would come down and then we could start to work on the research needed to find what is going to replace the gasoline engine if we ever get to the point that we need to replace it.
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:6,102 Points:1,577,875 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:39:53 PM Ignore esquared Report Abuse Can the Electric Slide be far behind?
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,482 Points:1,814,560 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:39:26 PM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse We need to use all the different ways we can. Electric for in town, hybrid or LP gas or Hydrogen for long distances, but less and less oil so that we can help heal Mother Nature. She is mad at us.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,750 Points:2,060,415 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:37:21 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse Lots of possibilities... but limited range capability may and will keep many buyers locked in to traditional modes of transportation.
BEngr Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,283 Points:1,119,130 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:28:13 PM Ignore BEngr Report Abuse I think all electric cars are too expensive, have a limited driving range, and are too small because if you were in an accident, the odds are you will suffer greater injuries. Also if it needed to be charged while away from home where would you pug it in?
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:5,196 Points:1,043,315 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:25:58 PM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse With the Mini-E being leased, one wonders why BMW is not offering more Mini-E's for lease or sale.
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:13,800 Points:1,675,505 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:16:45 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse Just get on with developing an affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,397 Points:342,680 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:15:04 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse peddles, (for points) [Edited by: Jeeputtputt at 8/1/2010 11:16:37 PM EST]
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:13,960 Points:1,459,700 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:14:11 PM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse It is one of the many alternatives and should not be left out of the mix. There will be more and we should be very open-minded about this as the pollution is getting worse, the ozone is messed up, the glaciers all over the world are melting way further back from where they have been in millions of years so we need to go carefully and softly into the future and not tread on the snake that would kill us off.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:5,634 Points:1,117,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:10:49 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse electric is a good alternative for a small group of consumers
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,510 Points:2,082,255 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:05:48 PM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse Skip the electric car. Ontario, Canada can't afford to charge it.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,042 Points:1,219,535 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:05:08 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse EV's will cause electrical system problems.
Jo120 Champion Author Arizona Posts:4,242 Points:1,475,430 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:04:24 PM Ignore Jo120 Report Abuse Where's the infrastructure to go with it?
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:4,512 Points:1,023,920 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:04:01 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Electrics can be recharged at night, off-peak for the grid, so capacity is there.
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:6,247 Points:1,125,980 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:03:30 PM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse did we forget that car battery components are more scarce than oil itself?
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,771 Points:1,544,555 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:51:07 PM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse we're going to need a lot more nuclear power plants.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:4,802 Points:1,073,325 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:49:50 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse How about we let competition bring out the best technology and leave politics out of it?
MINER Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,960 Points:2,585,815 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:44:55 PM Ignore MINER Report Abuse I'm almost ready to put an order in for one, they have me convinced..I do believe there is a better chance for me to make my own electric, than no chance for me to make gas...
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,352,180 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:42:45 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse Keep in mind this is a swap of one energy source for another, plain and simple. Until electric power tips the balance of production over to renewable sources, it's not that large an advantage in the end.
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,031 Points:981,390 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:42:38 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse We will see.
UseLessGasFolks Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,114 Points:839,930 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:41:44 PM Ignore UseLessGasFolks Report Abuse I agree "there’s a patriotic reason to drive an electric car."
SeerLV Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,930 Points:807,825 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:31:50 PM Ignore SeerLV Report Abuse We need to get off foreign oil.
ScottTee Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,098 Points:604,225 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:31:27 PM Ignore ScottTee Report Abuse time will tell
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:4,231 Points:1,766,800 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:30:55 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse We will see if this ever happens, I doubt I will ever see it.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:21:54 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse Of course self-reliance is a noble goal but we've always relied on other countries to provide, capital, investments, technology, raw materials, etc.
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,694 Points:915,470 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:21:49 PM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse Auto makers will follow the money, there's no patriotism in it at all.
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,290 Points:1,845,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:17:30 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Unless the technology significantly improves (speed and range) and a vialbe electrical charging infrastructure is developed, electric avenue will be a detour regardless of the number of manufacturers who have jumped on the band wagon
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,582 Points:980,610 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:17:12 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse Politics and government need to stay away!!!
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,495 Points:1,386,760 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:11:18 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse The consumer will determine the sucess of the electric car.
bobsalwaysmt Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,425 Points:205,890 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:09:49 PM Ignore bobsalwaysmt Report Abuse All about POLITICS!
nehemiah Champion Author Portland Posts:3,041 Points:553,290 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:09:05 PM Ignore nehemiah Report Abuse anything will help us to give money overseas and keep money here in the US
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:6,479 Points:1,918,290 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:07:49 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Hope Volt, etc al make a difference!
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:5,496 Points:1,135,165 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:06:49 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse The Free Market will determine if this will succeed........
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:3,794 Points:1,207,670 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:05:42 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse They have a long ways to go.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,678 Points:2,008,950 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:03:47 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Hope Volt rocks!
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,651 Points:1,490,920 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 8:49:02 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse Don't bet the farm
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:3,724 Points:1,347,365 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 8:45:50 PM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse We'll seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....?
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:6,827 Points:1,477,050 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 8:41:37 PM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse Show me an electric vehicle that can work equally as well a gas or diesel vehicle in a typical Canadian winter.
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:7,246 Points:1,870,160 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 8:40:28 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Fuel cells. No cords.
Jeff1944 Champion Author South Dakota Posts:3,104 Points:680,815 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 8:39:42 PM Ignore Jeff1944 Report Abuse Patriotic to buy electric. Eh gosh . . . remember the Edsel?