The Electric Car

[Bear]

I just drove an hour and a half to upstate New York to see the Indie film: "Who killed the Electric Car." For months I have been trying to see it, but it was never around. I finally found a place in Pennsylvania last week, but it was given up last Friday, for a different weekend schedule; so we looked up online where else it could be seen.

Apparently, there are only 6 places in the continental US where it is still playing.

I'm not asking for a criticism of the film so much as I am wondering about your feelings about the concept car itself; and the later production model.

I remember years ago seeing it at the Javit's Center in New York. I even took home one of the brochures they had for it, and only recently threw it away in a suddenly cleaning binge.

What's your stance on the Electric Car?

Do you suppose the film was also squashed by the so-called establishment?

[o1pickleboy]

The electric car was a good idea. The problem was america loves horsepower and hate change. So the sales were destine to be low.

I though the government should of stepped in. Considering the good the car did for the enviroment. They should have made all government cars electric cars. Like they did with the post office. Every vechile that could of been switched should have been.(except those that needed the horsepower and speed)

[Michael P]

I always thought it was the Stonecutters.

[Bear]

According to the film, President Carter had introduced solar power to the white house; but his efforts were eventually undermined by president Reagan.

[Bear]

I always thought it was the Stonecutters.

Yes and also responsible for Steven Gutenberg being a star.

[Gary_B]

I just drove an hour and a half to upstate New York to see the Indie film: "Who killed the Electric Car." For months I have been trying to see it, but it was never around. I finally found a place in Pennsylvania last week, but it was finally given up last Friday, for weekend schedule; so we looked up online where else it could be seen.

Apparently, there are only 6 places in the continental US where it is still playing.

I'm not asking for a criticism of the film so much as I am wondering about your feelings about the concept car itself; and the later production model.

I remember years ago seeing it at the Javit's Center in New York. I even took home one of the brochures they had for it, and only recently threw it away in a suddenly cleaning binge.

What's your stance on the Electric Car?

Do you suppose the film was also be squashed by the so-called establishment?

If you mean will the film be squashed I don't see how that can happen now that it is out and coming soon to a rental place near you.

If the film makes auto industry lobbyists and politicians rally forces they'll probably just demonise whoever made the film.

[Noah Johnson]

Every vechile that could of been switched should have been.(except those that needed the horsepower and speed)
Actually, I'm given to understand that the EV1 was quite the peppy ride. Top speed comparable with just about anything in its class, if I recall rightly.

[o1pickleboy]

Actually, I'm given to understand that the EV1 was quite the peppy ride. Top speed comparable with just about anything in its class, if I recall rightly.

Then I guess all government vechiles could have been converted.

[Iangould]

Then I guess all government vechiles could have been converted.

A couple of years ago here in Queensland the government simply ordered Q-Fleet ( a Government business that leases and maintains cars for government agencies) to use E-10 ethanol in its entire fleet.

[Nikita]

I just drove an hour and a half to upstate New York to see the Indie film: "Who killed the Electric Car." For months I have been trying to see it, but it was never around. I finally found a place in Pennsylvania last week, but it was given up last Friday, for a different weekend schedule; so we looked up online where else it could be seen.

Apparently, there are only 6 places in the continental US where it is still playing.

I'm not asking for a criticism of the film so much as I am wondering about your feelings about the concept car itself; and the later production model.

I remember years ago seeing it at the Javit's Center in New York. I even took home one of the brochures they had for it, and only recently threw it away in a suddenly cleaning binge.

What's your stance on the Electric Car?

Do you suppose the film was also squashed by the so-called establishment?



I believe I read somewhere that the top automakers squashed the idea because it threatened their ability to keep making gas guzzlers and they were also getting pressure by oil companies to squash it. (I heard this years ago anyway)

But here's the irony abou the new electric/gas hybrids. I read somewhere recently (can't remember where exactly but it was this past year) that what many people don't know about the hybrids, is that you have to replace the electric battery every five to ten years, and the battery itself is around $10,000. So, you buy a car thinking it's going to save you money, when you've just bought yourself a very expensive speciality battery. (I think it's the battery) I know I read this somewhere this past year but I can't remember where to find a link to an article. If anyone knows it, please feel free to quote the link here. (otherwise, I just sound like I'm making stuff up as usual. LOL)

[pennywisdom]

I just drove an hour and a half to upstate New York to see the Indie film: "Who killed the Electric Car."
Please tell me you see the poetry in that.

[Ontir]

What do I think of the Electric Car (as a concept)? Which one? There are actually several. Also the claims of lack of power are patently wrong. Electric cars are plenty powerful enough, and getting more powerful all the time. As to what happened to the electric cars, it was a combination of efforts from a variety of people. The auto manufacturers couldn't make electric cars work in their profit structure, because a car, more often than not, is a loss-leader. If they get you to buy their car, they get you to come back for oil changes, oil filters, tires, belts, etc. It's the sale and installation of replacement parts and fluids that creates a great deal of the auto industry's income. With the electrics, a vast chunk of that simply ceases to be. The petroleum industry also had a hand, because they didn't want to ween the world off of their drug. Instead, they're investing in water supplies, and fuel-cell technology (which is still probably 20 years off), in the hopes that they can switch us from "heroin" to "methadone." There was also some collusion between the two. Journalism is partially to blame, because they under-coverd things like GM refusing to sell the electrics to the lessees, and threatening them with Grand Theft Auto charges, if they didn't surrender them at the end of the lease, as well as just not doing any real investigatory work to find out what the vehicles were, what was going on, and why they were actually a good idea for the consumer.

In the aftermath of all that, the hybrids have come in, and battery technology, which was already pretty amazing 10 years ago, is far better now. There was someone in the film, who was talking about batteries taking his vehicle 700 miles, at 90 mph, on ONE charge! The amount of time I exceed 40 in LA traffic... I'd be able to drive that car for 2 months without plugging it in! That's important to note, because while the auto industry and oil industry work together on the development of fuel-cells, batteries get better and better, and manufacturers from outside America, as well as indies within, are preparing their hybrids and electrics for the US market, and all the while, Detroit looks to be sleeping - again.

I think the best line from the film, was Ed Begley, Jr.'s: "What the auto industry has been telling you for years is true. The electric car can not meet the needs of all Americans. It can only meet the needs of 90% of all Americans..."

Bear,

What part of NY are you in, and to which part of "upstate" did you go? Manhattanites always seem to mean the middle of the state (Albany, Schenectady, etc.), when they use that term, instead of the actual upstate, which is the western part of the state.

[o1pickleboy]

The auto manufacturers couldn't make electric cars work in their profit structure, because a car, more often than not, is a loss-leader. If they get you to buy their car, they get you to come back for oil changes, oil filters, tires, belts, etc. It's the sale and installation of replacement parts and fluids that creates a great deal of the auto industry's income.

batteries get better and better, and manufacturers from outside America, as well as indies within, are preparing their hybrids and electrics for the US market, and all the while, Detroit looks to be sleeping - again..


The dam shame of it is. They forget that they would still make money on tune ups, tires,brakes and sensor replacement. They would only really lose the oil change.

It is a really dam shame that because detroit is sleeping again. That my state, my job and my community are in serious trouble.

[Ontir]

They actually would lose quite a bit of profit, because almost all of what is replaced on traditional cars, isn't needed at all in electrics. Even tune-ups are minimal.

[o1pickleboy]

They actually would lose quite a bit of profit, because almost all of what is replaced on traditional cars, isn't needed at all in electrics. Even tune-ups are minimal.


That's why they invent things that need to be replaced. Half the stuff on a gas burner was made so you have to go to the dealship. They could do the same on the electic car. All they have to say is it gives it more power and half the population would believe it.

[phoenixrising]

The most outrageous thing I found from the movie was that so many electric cars were destroyed instead of sold or even used - what a waste. As if it wasn't bad enough they were pushed aside...

[Mac Danny]

Please tell me you see the poetry in that.

I saw it. I'm glad someone else did too.

[Winslow]

The electric car hasn't taken off for a couple of reasons: (I haven't watched the movie)

(1) The electric motor isn't as capable as the internal combution in acceleration. The electric motor, like the turbine, is more efficient at sustained single speeds. This is why hybrids use the internal combustion motor to accelerate, and then shift to electric power when the engine is running at a sustained speed.

(2) The range of the electric car is only about 50 miles. IT makes a great commuting option, but a lousy option for vacation. That is, it's not flexible enough for the American consumer (I don't know about overseas).

And while it seems obvious the electric car would clean up the air where car emissions are a problem, the increased demand for electrical energy to re-charge the things will increase emissions from power plants. That is, I question whether it's a suitable solution for fossil-fuel pollution.

[Bear]

But here's the irony abou the new electric/gas hybrids. I read somewhere recently (can't remember where exactly but it was this past year) that what many people don't know about the hybrids, is that you have to replace the electric battery every five to ten years, and the battery itself is around $10,000. So, you buy a car thinking it's going to save you money, when you've just bought yourself a very expensive speciality battery.

My God that would have sucked bad: My brother and I were talking about buying a hybrid a couple of years ago.

[Bear]

Please tell me you see the poetry in that.

Yes, it is amusing isn't it. How ironic: I drove an hour and a half in our Chevy Suburban to see a moving about how GM did away with efficient automobiles.

[Bear]

What do I think of the Electric Car (as a concept)? Which one? There are actually several.

Well, the EV-1 specifically. I remember the Impact prototype though.



The petroleum industry also had a hand, because they didn't want to ween the world off of their drug. Instead, they're investing in water supplies, and fuel-cell technology (which is still probably 20 years off), in the hopes that they can switch us from "heroin" to "methadone."

Now that's humor:D Good one Onnie.


Detroit looks to be sleeping - again.

For my whole friggin life it seems, at least.


Bear,

What part of NY are you in, and to which part of "upstate" did you go? Manhattanites always seem to mean the middle of the state (Albany, Schenectady, etc.), when they use that term, instead of the actual upstate, which is the western part of the state.

I live in Jersey now (we're from Brooklyn originally). Upstate New York I would classify as anything above Yonkers--like the Catskills--Ice Cave Mountain (very beautiful in the Fall).

[Bear]

And while it seems obvious the electric car would clean up the air where car emissions are a problem, the increased demand for electrical energy to re-charge the things will increase emissions from power plants. That is, I question whether it's a suitable solution for fossil-fuel pollution.

Yes, but the thing that oil companies always seem to neglect to mention is that those coal burning power plant emissions can be filtered at the source--if the government actually regulated the power companies to do that.

Cars have catalytic converters of course. But they still give off massive amounts of CO2 per year, if not carbon monoxide also.

It is a lot easier (at least in theory) to filter the power companies' emissions rather than to cork every tail pipe in the country.

[Ontir]

Well, the EV-1 specifically. I remember the Impact prototype though.

Now that's humor:D Good one Onnie.

For my whole friggin life it seems, at least.

I live in Jersey now (we're from Brooklyn originally). Upstate New York I would classify as anything above Yonkers--like the Catskills--Ice Cave Mountain (very beautiful in the Fall).

Aah, a New York City guy. There's actually a whole lot beyond the burroughs and Long Island. :p Yonkers, from a Rochesterian's perspective, is the Tri-state area. The Catskills are around the middle of the state, and anything west of the Mohawk Valley, roughly, is Upstate.