Here are some more pictures from the Detroit Auto Show:
Chrysler
Chrysler introduced three electric car concepts:
Dodge ZEO
Chrysler ecoVoyager
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When I was a kid, I never wanted an electric car. I wanted one that flew. Like the Delorean in Back to The Future II. It’s almost 2008 and still no flying cars.
Why is that an important question? Because it underscores that maybe our dreams and our needs aren’t always the same thing. I now know that a flying car would be a really bad idea (if you doubt me, drive on the 405 in Los Angeles and then imagine it in 3D). But perhaps the design challenge wasn’t in making a car fly, but making it as ultra efficient and human-friendly (not just earth friendly) as possible.
That’s the difficulty with what the cleantech industry is trying to do, I think. While we want bigger houses and bigger/faster cars, it is coming at a price. Our environment at large is suffering. Air pollution still causes severe health effects in our cities. And gas is expensive (economically) and costly (politically) .
The electric car wasn’t killed by Big Auto, Big Oil, or SCAQMD.
We killed it.
I’ve been critical of PHEVs and EVs lately. Mostly because advocates don’t seem as though they are representative of the population at-large. I was in Chicago when this storm hit. A foot of snow came and buried everything. This image gives a small glimpse of what snow can do to a car. There are a few things to take away from it:
1) Where do I plug-in? This is a typical urban street – filled with apartment livers who park on the street. In a PHEV world, where do they plug-in? What if they forgot (like I forget to plug-in my phone every night and rely on recharging it in my car)?
2) This is pretty cold weather. I’ve seen metal bent and reshaped in temperatures this low. So the notion of a battery or electric motor scares me a bit. Will they withstand the cold. Will they stand-up to the salt (if the city could actually get around to salting).
3) Would you want to drive around with a plug-in without a gasoline engine? You can refill your gas in a few minutes. But recharging seems like hassle in weather like this.
Let’s be clear: I’m not against PHEVs or EVs. I actually think they’re great ideas that have some really great prospects. But they’re only one solution that meets only some of individuals’ needs. I have issues with their viability for many people in different walks of life. This recent Midwestern storm underscores my concern. The Midwest represents around 25% of the U.S. Population (consider also the demographics of similar climates in Asia and Europe). So it seems as the prospect of a sale of PHEVs or EVs would be tough.
If I had a choice, I’d much rather have a Chevy Tahoe in this condition (a hybrid would be fine – but I wouldn’t bother plugging in during weather like this). I only add this commentary to add to the debate. PHEVs are great – but they’re only part of a solution.
