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Automakers gearing up for electric cars
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram ^ | December 5, 2008 | Renee Schoof

Posted on 12/04/2008 11:56:23 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Now that automakers are all busy gearing up to make electric vehicles, consumers should be getting a choice of roomy, speedy, gasoline-free models that charge up at a standard 110-volt socket.

So when will those cars roll out of factories so plentifully that prices drop to what ordinary people can afford?

That was the question at the Electric Drive Transportation Association conference and exhibition in Washington this week, and on Capitol Hill as well, as the Big Three automakers made a pitch for aid. The recession, the credit crunch and the dominance of oil-driven transportation will make it difficult.

However, automakers see the future — more gas price spikes, diminishing oil resources, the need to cut carbon dioxide to prevent climate catastrophe. They also see an incoming president, Barack Obama, who as a senator co-sponsored a plan to give tax credits for electric vehicles and now calls for 1 million plug-in, hybrid, made-in-America cars that get up to 150 miles per gallon.

As part of their pitch to Congress, Ford, Chrysler and General Motors promised to push ahead with electric vehicles, even though they’re money-losers now. Ford this week, for the first time, announced details of what it has in the works for electric-drive vehicles, including a battery-electric van slated for commercial fleet use in 2010 and a battery-electric sedan in 2011.

Japan is going electric, too. Mitsubishi, for example, plans to launch its small iMiEV electric car next summer and test it in California, Europe and in New Zealand. Nissan plans a Real Car with a 100-mile range that it promises will meet all highway safety tests and offer all the hot gizmos such as GPS and heated seats.

(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Politics/Elections; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: automakers; automobiles; bailout; bigthree; congress; economy; electriccars; electricity; electricvehicles; energy; hybridvehicles; obama
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Does Congress think that wishing for something makes it so?
1 posted on 12/04/2008 11:56:23 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Big Three shouldn’t be gearing up for electric cars; they should be gearing up for bankruptcy.


2 posted on 12/04/2008 11:59:09 PM PST by rabscuttle385 ("If this be treason, then make the most of it!" —Patrick Henry)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

oh we also need more electricity. a lot of it comes from coal.


3 posted on 12/05/2008 12:01:09 AM PST by ari-freedom (Conservatives solve problems. Libertarians ignore problems. Liberals create problems.)
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To: ari-freedom
oh we also need more electricity. a lot of it comes from coal.

That's where you're wrong, my friend. It comes out of the wall.

4 posted on 12/05/2008 12:04:18 AM PST by Mr Ramsbotham ("A laurel, and hearty handshake ....")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
roomy, speedy, gasoline-free models that charge up at a standard 110-volt socket.

Not to mention the personal spaceship, the jetpack, and free healthcare in popsicle form.

5 posted on 12/05/2008 12:10:07 AM PST by Darkwolf377 (Atheist Pro-Lifer)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Imagine a solar storm during rush-hour...


6 posted on 12/05/2008 12:11:00 AM PST by fellowpatriot
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; Revolting cat!
It's just like Christmas 1967!

Sears Wishbook!!!


7 posted on 12/05/2008 12:11:25 AM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

While Obama gears up to eliminate power sources.


8 posted on 12/05/2008 12:12:16 AM PST by MaxMax (I'll welcome death when God calls me. Until then, the fight is on)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Get prepared to pay road taxes on your heating bill. Or AC. or lighting. Cause without gas revenues the taxes have to come from some place. Or more tickets for going 2mph over the limit.


9 posted on 12/05/2008 12:12:33 AM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: rabscuttle385

I am looking to replace my car very soon. I am looking at getting a Toyota or Honda. After so many disasters with American cars, I am through. They need to make decent cars and then they might be able to sell them again.


10 posted on 12/05/2008 12:14:31 AM PST by napscoordinator
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

No one will be excited about their new electric car when they figure out what happens when they forget to plug the piece of junk in overnight. Plug-in hybrids make more sense, as they can still make use of the convenience of gasoline, while possibly saving on fuel costs (assuming that the increased purchase price can be recouped).


11 posted on 12/05/2008 12:16:11 AM PST by eclecticEel (In short, I want Obama given the same respect and deference that Democrats have given George Bush)
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To: napscoordinator
Land Rover Defender
12 posted on 12/05/2008 12:17:30 AM PST by CE2949BB (Fight.)
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To: CE2949BB

Interesting. The company is based out of India. Looks like they know how to make a decent car too. I wonder why Detroit can’t.


13 posted on 12/05/2008 12:21:35 AM PST by napscoordinator
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
“gasoline-free models that charge up at a standard 110-volt socket.”

At 1.8kw max coming from a 120 vac wall socket it would
take 2-3 days to charge.

14 posted on 12/05/2008 12:22:08 AM PST by DaveTesla (You can fool some of the people some of the time......)
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To: napscoordinator
I am looking at getting a Toyota or Honda.

Their stuff ain't perfect either. A couple years ago, I replaced by 15-year-old GM vehicle with a new Honda Civic. It's okay, but I've had a couple of minor issues with it, and it actually gets pretty lousy gas mileage -- far less than what was promised on the sticker. Frankly, I'd love to trade the Civic in for a real American car like a Cadillac CTS if I had money to burn.
15 posted on 12/05/2008 12:27:25 AM PST by irishjuggler
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Yes, they can now Legislate Innovation.

Didn't you get the memo?

Obama wants to raise the CAFE standard to 45 mpg. I say make it 1000 mpg. Problem solved.

It's just like the Minimum Wage. Make it $100 an hour and everybody's rich.

See how easy that is?

16 posted on 12/05/2008 12:37:39 AM PST by Kickass Conservative (Democracy, two wolves and one sheep deciding what's for dinner.)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

and turkeys come from supermarkets unless they are executed by Alaskan governors.


17 posted on 12/05/2008 12:40:12 AM PST by ari-freedom (Conservatives solve problems. Libertarians ignore problems. Liberals create problems.)
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To: irishjuggler

What year Civic, what config, and what are you getting by way of mileage?

Also, the EPA test is just a guideline against a standardized test to give people some benchmark as to what to expect from a car. A lot depends on driving habits, patterns, use, and other individual factors. For example, I drive fast, but usually manage to better the EPA numbers. My friend drives about as fast and can never seem to be able to match the EPA numbers... on the same exact car I was driving 10 minutes before!


18 posted on 12/05/2008 12:43:36 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Spktyr
What year Civic, what config, and what are you getting by way of mileage?

2006, 1.8 liter engine, auto transmission... Around 20-22 mpg (~90% city driving).
19 posted on 12/05/2008 1:10:49 AM PST by irishjuggler
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To: irishjuggler

It’s only supposed to get 26mpg. Spend a lot of time idling in traffic?


20 posted on 12/05/2008 1:26:25 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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