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M$1 June 04, 2009 03:26 AM

Do people want cheap fuel alternatives vehicles like the Volt?

Do people want cars that use cheaper fuels?
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June 04, 2009 09:43 AM
Yes.

A car that recharges at night with cheap electric power, or power that I can produce in a mini solar power center in my own house? A car that sits idle in traffic and generates power from braking? A car that doesn't pollute creating allergies and asthma?

Yes please!
Asker's Rating:
• Each home needs to have a hydrogen reformer decentralized power plant. Decentralized energy systems are becoming popular. Electricity should begin to cost less.


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June 04, 2009 04:58 PM
People want something that is in the same price range as current vehicles. They also want the range and security that can get to the places they need to go. As lighter, more powerful batteries are introduced, electric alternatives will fall in line with current expectations.

Tesla Motors has a very high-performance vehicle in production now. The price is extremely high, thus reducing demand. However, when the more affordable sedan is released at a later time, people will strongly consider this alternative. Other car companies and consumers will follow the leader.
Source(s):
Late Show with David Letterman (TV, CBS)

Asker's Rating:
• The car company to break the price barrier and maintain quality and power will be emerging winner.


Tags: supply, performance, demand, electric, vehicle

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June 04, 2009 07:44 PM
Will Tesla provide a 22k ev hybrid plugin by 2011?

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June 04, 2009 03:38 AM
Yes as people want to spend the less money possible, and at the same time they can brag about being green.
For example look at the Toyota Prius, VERY successful car, it uses way less gas and so you don't feel the pain at the pump.
The honda civic is also a very popular car as it is fuel efficient.
You can also look at the company Tesla, they are making fully electric vehicles (sport models are out, they are really fast), and the new sedan's are pre-ordered by thousands of people.
Source(s):
News, Observation


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June 04, 2009 04:42 PM
Why did Honda discontinue its Ultra Low Emission Honda Civic in 86? It was an amazing vehicle.

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June 04, 2009 04:35 AM
It is not entirely certain that the "fuel cost" for electric vehicles like the Volt will be less expensive than gasoline / ethanol / diesel fueled vehicles. Especially when one considers the significant increase in electricity cost that consumers will see after the implementation of clean air legislation (the cost of cap and trade or carbon taxes). There is also a failure for many of the electric car strategies to fully account for all of the costs. The time and money required to establish a fast and convenient refueling infrastructure (like we presently have for gasoline) is much greater than most can imagine. Just think about duplicating the existing gas station model with a duplicate system for battery exchanges or charging stations. I am not convinced it will ever happen on a large scale and may be limited to urban areas.

The question may be better posed as "Do people want alternative-fuel vehicles like the Volt?" and "Do people want cars that use cheaper fuels?"

There is a demand for alternate fuel vehicles, but that is only within the constraints and assumptions that people understand within our current economy and society. That will likely change as the world we now live in begins to change (i.e. cost of electricity rises, more efficient hybrids are produced, better mass transit is available, etc.). I personally think that the Volt is a short-term solution for a niche market. It would be very difficult for me to travel from LA to New York in a Volt car.

Yes, I do believe that people want cars that use cheaper fuels. However, that simply may not be possible. Some would argue that the only way to reduce dependence on fossil fuel, reduce harmful emissions, and conserve resources would be to make fuel MORE expensive. That would help to promote alternate travel methods (i.e. mass transit), create "town center" neighborhoods that reduce the need to travel throughout suburbia, and increase the use of telecommuting and other remote work options.
Source(s):
My professional experience as an engineer and current involvement in energy regulation, legislation and policy matters.


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June 04, 2009 04:41 PM
Electricity costs about 2 cents a mile verses 8 miles for gas. Scopewise, I'm concerned only about the consumer cost not the overall infrastructure cost.

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June 04, 2009 06:48 PM
You missed my point about the 2 cents versus 8 cents per mile being short-term. The overall infrastructure costs (plus other electric generation issues facing the United States) are destined to change the delta between the two. There is no certainty that electricity will cost less per mile in the long-term.

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June 04, 2009 07:43 PM
Who wants to pay for social responsiblity when they purchase a vehicle? All the consumers wants is the highest quality for the cheapest price. If China were concerned about air pollution they would never have allow an internal combustible engine. Need drives Innovation. Breathing clean air has become and issue and China is responding by building EV and clean air technology. The investment exceeds $300 billion and will fund additional development. Growth and demand drive consumption. A consumer does think about the overall system when they make a purchase; they only think about the functional specifications that vehicle specification provides.

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June 04, 2009 07:46 PM
It is a fallacy to believe real energy costs will go up. Oil is out. Electricity is in. Electricity production is increasing. Real cost of electricity will go down. Electricity production is just starting to emerge. It is a long way from being mature and peaked.

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June 04, 2009 07:58 PM
Your comments are interesting @davepamn, but you offer no proof that energy costs will not rise. I beg to differ, and being directly involved in the energy industry, I can assure you that the reality is much different. Let's compare notes in ten years.

Peace.

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June 04, 2009 08:01 AM
yes) they always wants "cheaper"

Tags: vehicles, alternatives

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June 04, 2009 09:38 AM
people want "cheap fuel" vehicles because if you consider that an european research establish that the 70% of daily transportation with private vehicles are about 30Km, which means about 10000Km per year, this means about 1300€ per year; an electric car will cost about 120€ per year.
Also, the pleasure to drive an electric car or bike is unexplainable: the quietness, the fluid response is something that once tried you fall in love with.
For the above reasons i think that when battery cost will let the whole price to be competitive, electric cars will dominate the market at a very fast rate.
Note: at present day a standard fiat panda costs less than 9000€, an electrified panda costs more than 26000€ where 16000€ is the cost of the battery pack that allows 130Km per charge.

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