Re: Sell the "sizzle" (was: SCIENCE FRIDAY on NPR)

[Rod Hower <rodhower@ameritech.net>]

Mike,

I think you did an excellent job of explaining this dilema.
The battery powered EV is not the ultimate solution for commuting,
however when used for the right purposes it is a very good solution.
Working in the industrial EV market for 12 years, I see the 
advantages of an EV.  Battery powered forklifts are superior
to any ICE forklift (especially within warehouses).
Battery powered greensmowers and golf carts are an obvious and
cost advantage solution.
Battery powered vehicles can also be an obvious solution for short
commutes.  
I think some compromise will eventually be reached, but an SUV for 90%
of commuters just doesn't make sense.
Ultimately economics will force the issue.
Until people see a substantial economic advantage to buy more
fuel efficient/smaller vehicles it will be a hard sell.
Just ask my kids when I tell them 10 times to turn off their 
light switches because they are wasting energy.  They probably
won't remember too turn off the lights until I post signs
throughout the house and take away all of thier allowance.
Unfortunately the current government is acting like my children.
We'll worry about it when there is no electricity or allowance.
I think the government needs to make alternative energy attractive
from a financial standpoint before people really take notice.
Unfortunately people will not take notice regardless of future
problems unless there is financial incentive for them to do so.
That doesn't apply to everybody, but I think it does for the vast
majority of spoiled and simple minded people.

Rod


Mike Chancey wrote:
> 
> Tom wrote:
> >I think the best way to get people to buy a ev is to have a ev with the
> >range of a ICE. when it comes to driveing enviromently friendly cars people
> >have the following stereotypes: Hydrogen?  The hindenburg blew up. The ev
> >noway!! 30min of use to 20 hours of charging? - Tom
> 
> Tom, your comment reminds me of a story about the first flight of one of
> the early helicopters.   If I recall correctly it goes something like this.
> After seeing the flight one of the reporters asked "When will a helicopter
> go faster than an airplane?"  "Never" was the reply, "Higher", again the
> reply was "Never".  "Further?"  Once again the reply was "Never".  "Well
> then what good is it?" asked the reporter.  I would say time has answered
> that one.
> 
> This is pretty much the way I see EVs.  Unless there is some sort of
> mind-blowing breakthrough, I don't really see 500-600 mile range pure EVs,
> ever.  But that doesn't mean the EV does not have a place in the vehicle
> mix.  Just like the helicopter handles the flights and missions unsuitable
> for fixed wing aircraft, the EV can handle the shorter range duties that an
> ICE does not handle in an efficient or clean manner.
> 
> Too many folks see EV advocates as suggesting the eminent demise of the
> ICE.  That is not going to happen, at least for a long long time.  What we
> should see though is a reduction in ICEs in the commuter role.  This is a
> task they can certainly perform, but it is one an EV can do far better.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mike Chancey,
> '88 Civic EV
> Kansas City, Missouri
> EV List Photo Album at: http://evalbum.com
> My Electric Car at: http://www.geocities.com/electric_honda
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