Re: Electric Vehicles saved from the shredder


"daestrom" <daestrom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:4846e08e$0$7040$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Rob Dekker" <rob@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Spm1k.4015$co7.3812@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



"Eeyore" <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:48453EF8.FE216274@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<snip>
It's very clear that GM build the EV1 for the CARB regulations, but they realy, realy really do not want EVs around. And that is
not for their cost (or lack thereof).


That much is true.

But the *reason* GM didn't want to make more and 'have them around' is that nobody (outside a select few) wanted the darn things.
GM is not in the business of making cars that don't sell.

Yes. That's what GM says. Not what the EV1 owners say, nor what the 4,000 people on the waiting list said.
GM made it very hard to lease these things (GM board members even admit that) and impossible to buy.
And even the lucky few that drove one were not allowed to buy it, and had their car taken away and shredded.
So much for a free market. I think it's a disaster. And watch my words : it can happen again.


People didn't like the need to drive all around LA looking for a charging station and then finding them out of order. Nor did
they like having to call a tow truck when they went dead. (who would?)


You are right : American consumers are used to pumping at a gas station at regular intervals, they are not used to charging their
car at regular intervals.
For people to change, an incentive is needed. And that incensive was not that strong at the end of the 90's with lead-acid batteries
and $20/gallon oil.
Now that all that changed (batteries did, and oil price did), but we don't have any production EVs (or even plug-in hybrids) around.

Go watch the movie. It's really interesting.

GM finally gave up and didn't want to keep supporting this 'white elephant'. End of story.

daestrom
P.S. Now with hybrids that can be filled up at any gas station, and the price of gas over $4 a gallon, people are more interested
in hybrids than they ever were in EV.

True. But these only get 40 mpg (Asian models) or 20 mpg (GM models).
We need 60 mpg vehicles now, and 80 mpg vehicles next years, if we want to continue to drive same miles in the face of 3% annual oil
supply decline.
Plug-in hybrids should be here already. Electric drive should be here already. EVs should be back already.
But it's all postponed till 2010 or later.



.

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