I'd like to believe that an ultra efficient all electric or gas-electric vehicle (in high #s) @ an affordable price is possible. And -- hopefully in the near future. People are screaming for it. I'm going broke keeping 3-cars filled up with combustibles.
Once the genius (whoever it is) gives us this product, everyone of us will forget about Bill Gates, Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan.
(Note -- I do not buy into the idea that oil companies are stopping these efforts. OPEC and the oil companies know what is coming. OPEC has called us selfish for seeking such alternatives, and the oil companies are investing in alternative measures themselves. I think it could be a long time before we're completely off oil, however, I believe that day is getting closer. Of course, then we'll be hearing about coal and nuclear waste. It never ends. Nobody is ever happy.)
Originally Posted by ODH
I don't have high speed internet so I cannot match this movie online.
Not having seen it I am going to say that I am doubting what I assume is the premise that there was a concerted and coordinated effort to stop production of an electric car.
Don't you believe that if Detroit could make a car with close to 100 mpg they would be able to charge a huge premium for it and could make tons of money?
Making one car that get 100+ mpg is completely different from making tens of thousands of cars a year that meet safety standards, are reliable, and have enough creature comforts so that people would buy them.
Last edited by Cyclone85; 06-04-2008 at 11:02 PM..
I've yet to see the movie but how about the role of government here? The tax on gas must be a unbelieveable pile of money. I can't see either party sitting by idly while a cash cow dwindles.
It's a lot of money; the FED tax (I think) is 18.4 cents / gallon whilst states collect taxes above and below this amount. The funds support road construction & bridges as I understand it. So, there will be taxes that have to be collected in some fashion even if we go all electric. Plus -- imagine if McCain or Obama gets their way with cap&trade -- we'll be paying for that in our electric bills too.
I need another drink. This isn't working......
Originally Posted by Throwby
I've yet to see the movie but how about the role of government here? The tax on gas must be a unbelieveable pile of money. I can't see either party sitting by idly while a cash cow dwindles.
Well since we're talking electricity does anyone here live in an area supplied by nuclear energy? What's the cost as compared with other places who generate by means of coal or hydro?
You and I are thinking on the same track, Throwby. The Law of Conservation of Energy tells us that the same amount of energy is going to be used to move a vehicle over a distance regardless of its power source. If we burn coal to generate the electricity, we are at no net change in carbon emissions, whether our cars run on electricity or gasoline. If more electricity can be generated using nuclear and hydro means, then we may see a drop in carbon emissions. But, if electric cars are charged using electricity generated from burning fossil fuels, we haven't reduced carbon emissions at all.
What I think will drive the technology is money. If someone can make a buck by selling electric cars, it will happen.
This is a well-researched, critically acclaimed documentary. This isn't some hatchet job ala Michael Moore. The automakers, gas companies, etc., are given plenty of screen time to say their side of the story. Unfortunately, their side of the story makes no sense at all.
Thanks bluestater, not far from the answer I would have provided. One of the best documentaries and it is very hard, if not impossible to argue with the facts presented in the documentary, which includes interviews from various auto makers. I will say, doing the reviews and all I do with movies, I think the comparison between this and a Michael Moore documentary is a fair comment.
Don't get me wrong, on these things I am not some left wing liberal, I also support the use of alternative energy forms, including, wind, and nuclear. I also support limited additional drilling, and the development of new refineries. That doesn’t mean though, that I am going to stick my head in the sand on something that would benefit the consumer, such as the electric car. Folks can watch the movie themselves, if can't use the video provided on YouTube, then get it at a video store, it is in most chain stores.
What about wind power? This is pretty big in my neck of the woods. Along with Hydro power.
Absolutely, I haven't been around wind turbines but I know it is an option being developed in many places and New Mexico has a very large turbine project.
I think that there needs to be a combination of all the different new technologies. My cousin lives near Niagara Falls, so she has hydroelectric. If wind works in your area, then great. Denver is a great place for solar, as it has more sunny days than any other city in the US. All of the different technologies need to come in to play if we are to reduce our dependence on oil and coal.
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