ART005

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

Nakedjaybird, are the transportation systems you list using battery powered elec. travel? If not, they have no relevance to this discussion. Electric subways are used all over the world, a perfect match of need and technology.

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

GhostOfSpec: you completely miss the point. No one on these posts has ever said someone shouldn't buy an EV. The media blitz is that EVs equitably hold their own vs. IC, sign up for yours now! The expose of the truth in these threads is that isn't true! And it is so far away that the extensive subsidized role out is irresponsible.

You use the word "subsidy" generically. What percent of subsidy meets your approval and how much is too much? Should tax payers smart enough to not be tricked into EV be forced to subsidize those that are? It's the same moral hazard issue persistant in housing, banking, investing, and other unproductive technologies like residential grid-tie PV. The list of foolish efforts that fall flat on their face at tax payer expense is endless.....

There are many options that consumers can choose to achieve some of your listed benefits:
Light weight EV (scooters)
Geothermal heat pump vs. propane or elec.
Solar water heaters
New home insulation methods
Natural gas HEV

Where is the media propaganda blitz for the truly equitable assets?

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

John, replying to jerrydd is a burden to you but it cuts right to the misleading propaganda that is selling the illusion in full service EV. Such as the price of a Leaf is about the same as a $20,000 IC car, oh but that doesn't include the $10,000?? battery. Consumers will just make a monthly lease (mortgage?) payment on the battery ~$100 + elec. costs. At $2.50/gal, $100/mo will power a 35 mpg IC car 1400 miles/mo. Considerably more miles than anyone is going to be able to drive a 100 mile/charge, 6 hrs to charge Leaf. Plus you still have to pay for the elec. and the charging equip.

The EV propaganda scheme is everyone should help subsidize the dream, it's a great idea until all the facts are put on the table. The same nonsense applies to Residential Grid-Tie Solar PV (elec.)

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

John, your reply to User450850 regarding price reduction eludes to but I think just misses addressing weight impact of batteries towards future price reduction. My thought that I'd like your comment on is: Younger consumers are used to $100 items eventually cost $10 and think the gov can accellerate that curve for "Green Technology." The small items that generation relates to weigh 1 or 2 lbs (cell phones, portable CD, Ipod, etc.) Maybe the cost of manufacturing goes from $95 to $5 (miracle of technology) but the cost of materials stays at $5 but seems insignificant. Battery technology in many chemistries is quite advanced (commodity) while the weight of the materials presents a significant high barrier to further price reductions. What is your opinion on different chemistry battery material costs vs. manufacturing costs?

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

John, I think your best article yet! The valuable well you draw from just keeps getting deeper and better. I wish this article was read on the evening news every night until people get it. There are exciting dreams that are achievable and valuable and there are exciting dreams that are unachievable and somewhat destructive. Capitalism tries to sort them out, socialism pretends no difference.

As you demonstrate productive difference between HEV and PHEV, my pet peeve is the similar productive difference between solar heat (hot water) and solar PV.

We appreciate your work, thank you.

Is There a "Best Way" to Invest in Wind Power?

In less than 5 minutes Mr. Pickens can say more than the whole presidential primary race. And even after the camera stops rolling it only takes him a few more seconds to roll out most of phase 2!!

Attractive electric cars are less than 1 year away. 4 wheel versions are a little bland due to safety laws. 3 wheel versions are exotic and generating a lot of interest because they only have to measure up to motorcycle safety guidelines.

Add solar heat which is already economically viable and maybe solar PV with a little more improvement over the next couple years and his pie charts look great.

100% solar hot water alone would reduce U.S. energy demand by 4%. That alone is 3 years energy growth stabilized to execute Pickens' plan. Solar hot water pays 6% ROI with uninflated energy costs before subsidies. Add in minimal 2%/yr energy inflation, the lifetime ROI more than doubles.

Leadership, education, cooperation can get it done!