CARazed

It’s always makes me laugh to read the arguments some people make about the sudden surge in automakers moving to produce electric cars. Here’s a good example of it in the Wall Street Journal that points out that electric cars may not be all that green.

If there’s one thing large corporations are good at doing it’s making money and positioning themselves for the future… to make more money. After all what is a corporation but an aggregation of a bunch of really smart business people all working for one primary goal… to make more and more money.

So just for a second consider what a major automaker would do if they believed the fuel source that powers their product might be running low or likely to increase dramatically in price. Would they build vehicles that use more of it? No heck no… they would adjust their product line to be better positioned to use the fuels they expect to be available.

Sadly, America’s massive switch over to coal fired electric power plants is also a good sign that someone else is thinking that our stability depends on the availability of energy and that it’s not going to be petroleum.

So are strategic corporate moves and government policies good indicators of things to come? I’m thinking my next new car is going to be electric and my bike is going to be getting a work-out.

Photo credit Wikipedia.

If you’re thinking about an electric car in your future you might want to read this article on Twilight Earth that addresses the concerns that much of our electricity comes from burning coal. It is important to remember that it’s our total carbon footprint that matters not just the output at the tailpipe.

Photo credit Wikipedia Commons.

I spotted this article in The Seattle Times this morning. Someone found a disadvantage to near silent cars…it seems they are hazard to pedestrians and the blind. I’m certain that this is true but I have confidence that the human race will adapt quickly to this new obstacle, if you can call it that. I also know how resourceful people are and fully expect technology or technique to help solve this potential problem.

Actually if I didn’t know better I’d assume that some bonehead spin doctor working for the oil industry hatched this one. Maybe if everyone drove monster trucks we’d save more lives at cross walks.

Someone should also call ZENN too and let them know they got it all wrong with their, “zero emissions no noise” cars. Those little things could turn out to be real killers if they don’t put some bells around their necks… sigh.

Israel and the Renault-Nissan alliance signed a deal on Monday (Jan. 21, 2008) to begin development of electric cars for Israel to reduce their dependency on Oil. The range of these electric cars will be about 100 miles. Zero to 60 mph acceleration will be in about 13 seconds with top speed of 70 mph. This may sound to many of us like a weak little car but studies show that 90% of Israelis drive less than 44 miles a day and all in major urban centers, so the limited range and speed seem to fit the bill.

The cars will be made in Europe and will use battery technology developed by Nissan and Japan’s NEC. A prototype is on the road today and production cars will be on the road by 2011, sold by both Nissan and Renault. Renault-Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn recently told reporters, “We expect this car to be successful… We want to make sure we mass market 10,000 to 20,000 cars a year in Israel … We are determined to make it a success.”

To further encourage adoption of electric cars the Israeli government will offer tax incentives and Project Better Place, a California based, venture-backed company will be building 500,000 electric car recharging points throughout Israel powered by renewable sources. The current goal is 200 megawatts, generated by wind and solar power sources.

Currently Israel gets most of it’s fossil fuel from Russia. They expect to be oil free by 2020. They have the government’s complete backing from President Shimon Peres on down. They have the support of large auto makers and the well funded Project Better Place to build out the infrastructure.

For those of us following the alternative automotive industry this is wonderful news. It marks a huge swing toward renewable energy for cars. It should also offer a good example of a government taking the crude by the horns and taking control of a very bad situation. This story needs to be on TV every night.