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Gas price plunge threatens fuel-cell and electric cars
SFGate.com ^ | 12/25/14 | David R. Baker

Posted on 12/25/2014 12:23:13 PM PST by NormsRevenge

ehicles, as did concern about global warming. But now gasoline prices have plunged to their lowest level since the Great Recession, averaging $2.50 nationwide for a gallon of regular. If gas prices stay low — granted, a very big “if” — one of the most powerful arguments for alternative fuel cars will be wiped out.

“You have an early-adopter group that’s much more interested in these vehicles as a way of doing something 'green,’ and the cost of fuel is not going to be a big factor for them,” said John O’Dell, a senior editor at the Edmunds.com auto information website. “Once you get out of the early-adopter group and into the mainstream, then gasoline prices matter a lot.”

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: electriccars; fuelcell; gasoline; opec; plunge; prices; saudiarabia; threatens
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To: goldstategop
the “cash for clunkers” program.

There's a clickable icon on the Husseincare website for that.

21 posted on 12/25/2014 1:11:26 PM PST by Libloather (Embrace the suck)
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To: Libloather

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System


22 posted on 12/25/2014 1:16:34 PM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: OneWingedShark

It’s only 18¢ from that in Oklahoma.


23 posted on 12/25/2014 1:32:09 PM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: Sybeck1
$1.87 last night in Mississippi. It fell six cents since yesterday morning.

Just think how much more it would drop if congress would kill George Bush's law requiring 10% ethanol content in gasoline.

Not to mention the positive impact on food prices if we stopped using corn to make motor fuel.


24 posted on 12/25/2014 1:32:41 PM PST by Iron Munro (D.H.S. has the same headcount as the US Marine Corps with twice the budget)
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To: depressed in 06; OneWingedShark
Tesla has proven that electric cars are viable, ...

I don't believe this to be a true statement.

Tedlas are priced between $71,000 and $101,000.

That's a lot for a battery powered car with all the limitations of the technology.

They might be considered viable to a wealthy greenie as a way to make a statement.
But to someone less well-heeled who is looking for cost effective transportation they have a long, long way to go.

Let's be honest - there probably wouldn't even be an electric car business in the USA if it wasn't for federal government pressure, subsidies, sweetheart deals and handouts.


25 posted on 12/25/2014 1:45:53 PM PST by Iron Munro (D.H.S. has the same headcount as the US Marine Corps with twice the budget)
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To: NormsRevenge

Still above $2.50 in Nevada for the watered down grade.


26 posted on 12/25/2014 1:55:17 PM PST by Dogbert41 (All the days of my life were written in your book before there was one of them!)
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To: Iron Munro

> Tedlas are priced between $71,000 and $101,000.
>
> That’s a lot for a battery powered car with all the limitations of the technology.

True enough — but then again, [electro-chemical] batteries are a much less refined technology than internal combustion engines.
( The “voltaic pile” appeared in 1800; whereas ICE is [arguably] from the 17th century: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_engine )

> Let’s be honest - there probably wouldn’t even be an electric car business in the USA if it wasn’t for federal government pressure, subsidies, sweetheart deals and handouts.

Hm, probably — the one possible exception I could see is in sunny areas like AZ or NM where solar/battery could be put to good usage; possibly more geared toward “out in the boonies” “get to town” vehicles rather than everyday usage. As battery technology is refined I do expect it to become more feasible.

As it is, I think ICE/hydraulic would be the way to go (with a hydraulic drive-train you could drop the shaft and transmission using the hydraulics as both; the best fuel for the ICE would probably be Diesel, though natural gas could be good if, in the next couple years, more natural-gas infrastructure is established).


27 posted on 12/25/2014 2:24:03 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Iron Munro
Tedlas are priced between $71,000 and $101,000.

That's a lot for a battery powered car with all the limitations of the technology.

They might be considered viable to a wealthy greenie as a way to make a statement.
But to someone less well-heeled who is looking for cost effective transportation they have a long, long way to go.

Let's be honest - there probably wouldn't even be an electric car business in the USA if it wasn't for federal government pressure, subsidies, sweetheart deals and handouts.


Not only that, but they profit off other car companies...

Even with the support of federal and state politicians, Tesla would still be reporting losses were it not for its ability to profit off of other auto manufacturers in California. In the first quarter of 2013, Tesla reported its first-ever quarterly profit by using special credits from California's Air Resources Board, which rewards auto manufacturers for the production of “zero-emission” vehicles. So far this year, Tesla was able to turn what would have been a $57 million loss into an $11 million gain by selling $68 million worth of these credits to other auto manufacturers in California.

Article here -

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2013/06/03/teslas-success-is-the-result-of-political-favoritism

28 posted on 12/25/2014 2:24:29 PM PST by az_gila
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To: NormsRevenge

Frackers torpedo crony capitalists...a serendipitous outcome.

I’d love to short Tesla stock but I know never to bet against a regime affiliate....


29 posted on 12/25/2014 2:26:12 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, Convict, Deport)
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To: OneWingedShark
It kinda makes me wonder how much a company could make if it ignored the government restrictions and built the biggest, most efficient refinery they could.

(Not that they bi passed the regs......but try this for size:)

Indian Tribe builds $400million oil refinery

NEW TOWN, N.D. — Oil production on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota has become so large that it would rank among the top 10 oil producing states in the nation, a tribal leader said Tuesday.

Tex Hall, chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes - Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara - said the more than 1,000 wells in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation produce in excess of 180,000 barrels of oil a day. Compared directly with state production, that puts them among the top 10 oil producers in the nation.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/north-dakota-tribes-oil-output-rivals-u-s-states/article_75eb6dfa-50eb-5569-8b81-d8295e045d59.html#ixzz3Mx1BHTwV

Tribal Chairman Tex “Red Tipped Arrow” Hall for having the vision to pursue a refinery, a plan that began 10 years ago before the Bakken oil boom. Initially the proposal called for refining Canadian tar sands, but in 2008 the plans switched to refine the tribe’s own Bakken crude.

During the celebration, Hall reflected about his ancestors.

“We grew up poor. We were lucky if we had a pair of clean overalls,” Hall said. “But our parents made sure we went to school and got educated. They did the best they could for us. They didn’t know we’d have this oil and gas resource, but now we do. It’s our responsibility to manage it and we are.”

Of the 0ver 400 acres of land that comprises the area, 190 acres will be used for the oil refinery, storage tanks and road/rail transfer stations....the rest devoted to expanding the tribes Buffalo herds.

Three Affiliated Tribes officials are talking to other tribes about inter-tribe commerce agreements to distribute diesel from its refinery.

- See more at: http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/14552/#sthash.bh1Nk0wC.dpuf

30 posted on 12/25/2014 2:30:48 PM PST by spokeshave (He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people,)
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To: spokeshave
Of the 0ver 400 acres of land that comprises the area, 190 acres will be used for the oil refinery, storage tanks and road/rail transfer stations....the rest devoted to expanding the tribes Buffalo herds.

Sounds like a great plan to me: produce gasoline and buffalo! :D

31 posted on 12/25/2014 2:33:52 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Naaah. The price of gas is notoriously volatile. It’ll go up again. Those technologies that never made economic sense like fuel cells will drop off, but those that make some sense like lpg will carry on. Just a buying opportunity!


32 posted on 12/25/2014 2:35:31 PM PST by RKBA Democrat (The uniparty: celebrating over 150 years of oligarchy and political control!)
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To: NormsRevenge
Gas price plunge threatens fuel-cell and electric cars

Has the entire country turned into a nation of teenage hedonistic electronic zombies?

Nobody ever thinks more than a few months ahead any more?

They all have crystal balls that confirms nothing will ever change again?

OK.

33 posted on 12/25/2014 2:35:59 PM PST by publius911 (Formerly Publius6961)
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To: NormsRevenge

LOL...LOLROTF....LMBO!


34 posted on 12/25/2014 2:39:02 PM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: NormsRevenge

“If gas prices stay low — granted, a very big “if” —”

At least there is a recognition of sorts here.

How many times do we have to go through these cycles before people learn what will happen next, and where prices will head after the coming adjustments become effective in the market?


35 posted on 12/25/2014 2:40:30 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Life is good.)
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To: Eccl 10:2

I know you think the very name “Tesla” is magic, but it is not.

Electric cars may eventually be viable for some drivers, but they’ll never be as clean as what most of us drive now.


36 posted on 12/25/2014 2:46:03 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Life is good.)
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To: goldstategop

1.98 here in Memphis.


37 posted on 12/25/2014 2:47:13 PM PST by Ingtar (Is this the Ebola and rumors of Ebola mentioned in the Bible?)
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To: NormsRevenge

$1.789 at several nearby stations here in NE Oklahoma.


38 posted on 12/25/2014 2:56:59 PM PST by savedbygrace (But God!)
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To: Eccl 10:2
Tesla has proven that electric cars are viable,

Sure they are, as long as government thugs give insane subsidies to thieves like Tesla, and gasoline is wildly overpriced.


39 posted on 12/25/2014 3:04:49 PM PST by 867V309 (Boehner is the new Pelosi)
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To: az_gila
Even with the support of federal and state politicians, Tesla would still be reporting losses were it not for its ability to profit off of other auto manufacturers in California. In the first quarter of 2013, Tesla reported its first-ever quarterly profit by using special credits from California's Air Resources Board, which rewards auto manufacturers for the production of “zero-emission” vehicles. So far this year, Tesla was able to turn what would have been a $57 million loss into an $11 million gain by selling $68 million worth of these credits to other auto manufacturers in California.

Good info - thanks.

And ultimately every penny of these thinly disguised handouts comes out of the pockets of consumers and taxpayers.


40 posted on 12/25/2014 3:15:01 PM PST by Iron Munro (D.H.S. has the same headcount as the US Marine Corps with twice the budget)
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