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GM Cornered Into Defending the Volt
Al notes a story in Technology Review reporting on a CMU study (now over a month old) claiming that the Volt doesn't make economic sense, and GM's response. The study suggests that hybrids with large batteries offering up to 40 miles of range before an on-board generator kicks in simply cost too much for the gas savings to work out (PDF). Al writes: "Unsurprisingly, GM disputes the claims, saying 'Our battery team is already starting work on new concepts that will further decrease the cost of the Volt battery pack quite substantially in a second-generation Volt pack.' Interestingly, however, GM admits that the tax credits for plug-in hybrids will be crucial to making the volt successful. Without those credits, would an electric vehicle like the Volt be viable?"
They make big, gas-guzzling pieces of shit and the idiots who bought them are the reason why the U.S. is so damn fucked up.
They made the Escalade and the Escalade was the reason why suburban housewives turned all NIGGER on us. And they want a fucking bailout?! Fuck 'em, let 'em drown.
Electric is not the answer, because it only shifts fuel costs to your electric bill. Since my electric bill goes well over $300 a month in the summer (AC usage), I can't even begin to guess how expensive it would be to charge my car every night.
I'm not a fan of Hybrids (yet), but at least that system doesn't accrue the additional cost of an electric bill to go with your gasoline bill.
Based on your last, we should let market forces find the best solution. And use the government to help push by bringing those costs to the market, where market forces can work on them.
Which means we should tax oil and (possibly) engine size.
Ahh, posting a flamebait against an oil company gets you a +5 insightful despite a total lack of insight.
Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
This is clearly not a troll. Did a bunch of Enron employees get /. account or something?
For one thing you could try taking a shower and finding some friends. You have never had the desire to fit more than 1 other person in your car? That is just plain sad. Really.
Ha! Love that. Basically he is saying that yes, he does see a need for a larger car. But he'll let other people take care of that for him. I'm sure they are all just totally happy to provide practicality for him while he buys fun cars. Wish he were my friend. Guess they like the role of driving miss daisey.
I expect that as technology progresses that the batteries will get better, but I am still hopeful that there will be more effort put into developing hydrogen powered cars. Then you would not need the huge acid lead batteries, emissions from the vehicles would be literally just water, and all the innovation could be focused on generating hydrogen.
I wish people who don't understand basic laws of physics wouldn't spout nonsense with this level of confidence.
Do I really have to explain that the energy required to produce the hydrogen is greater than the energy released by burning it? Obviously I do, that was a rhetorical question.
All a hydrogen economy needs it an unlimited free source of energy to use to produce the hydrogen in the first place...of course, if you HAD such an energy source, you don't need the GODDAMN HYDROGEN.
Cheap, proven technologies are still steps down a dead end road.
So I should give up my bicycle and kayak then?
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