CARazed

Co-op America is and CalCars are encouraging people to push auto makers to build plug-in hybrids and abandon the strong push for corn based bio-fuels. Most people find it hard to understand this position because it seems so counter intuitive. The same goes for declining support of hydrogen fuel cells which have the potential of water vapor exhaust.

All the technology ideas are good, the problem is time. The most viable technology today is plug-in hybrids. All electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell cars, bio-fuel cars are years away from wide spread consumer adoption for two simple reasons, infrastructure and technology.

To find a solution today we must accept our current infrastructure and technology options and see where they lead us. We have a gasoline infrastructure and decent but not great batteries. We have plugs in our homes and most of us don’t make long trips. Independent groups all over are proving that plug-in hybrid cars can get around 100 miles per gallon. If we all had a gas powered car that got 100 MPG with ultra low carbon emissions several things would happen:

1. We would need no imported fossil fuel. None. So there would be little need to invade anyone like Iraq for oil or Iran for natural gas.

2. Big oil company profits would drop to record lows because most people would drive on their batteries most of the time. These cars run on electricity for the first 40-ish miles so you’ll only pay for gas on long trips.
3. Even though 50% of our electricity comes from burning coal the carbon emissions end up being lower overall for electric cars than gasoline cars.

4. We’ve built a bridge to all electric cars. As soon as better inexpensive batteries are available we’ll buy newer plug-in hybrids that will run on electricity only for long trips.

I won’t speculate as to the real reasons big oil and auto makers have stayed away from plug-in hybrids.  The good news is that they are on the way. The small independent auto makers, backed by big silicon valley money, seem to have lit a fire. Toyota and GM have both released news that they plan to have plug-in hybrids on the road by 2010. The small start-ups will have cars out in 2008 and 2009.

If you are considering buying a new car in the next two years some say hold off. Wait and see what happens. If this movement to plug-in hybrids continues and 100 miles per gallon cars hit the market in two years the resale value on your current car may start to drop. It might be wise to not be married to a car payment if that happens. Comments?