Comments on: Automakers & PHEVs: Between “Barack” and a Hard Place

By: Monty

Monty — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:13:56 +0000

While I agree with your post, I would recommend in the future using a bit more logic, and a lot less emotionalism to sell your idea. When you highlight and capitalize such words as GREEN LIBS, you do nothing to change their minds, or anyone else who doesn’t already agree with you.

Like Billy Graham preaching to the choir, I’m already saved. If you want to save the congregation, you have to convince the sinners. And calling them names will only get them to call you names in return.

By: Tax-Free Bonds

Tax-Free Bonds — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:09:42 +0000

[...] Planning to spend billions more to lighten our dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions. [...]

By: yaga

yaga — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:51:18 +0000

If science and technology can put a man to the moon and bring him back to earth that long ago why can’t science and technology develope a battery that can recharge itself automatically and asap, with longer mileage range. mybe we need the rocket scientist on this project, or maybe it all boils down to the money, Just think about the money the oil companies and the car manufactures would loose if they would develope an extremely highly efficient battery pack. Think about why they have not found a cure for certain diseases as yet hhhmmmmm. Get the picture!!!

By: Dogbiscuit

Dogbiscuit — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:40:26 +0000

The laws of thermodynamics tell us that the efficiency of the the internal combustion engine relates directly to the “COMPRESSION RATIO” and we know that it is possible in certain cases for the CR for diesel to be twice that of the average auto engine.

By: Constance Blackwell

Constance Blackwell — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:33:12 +0000

I must say that is a level of response I would think would be weeded out here. Fascism is obviously completely different – it is so very upsetting to read a comment like that. There are other ways to object to government initiatives that to throw around a word you don’t understand.
The government has been behind primary and secondary research in the US for decades – the reason the IT, chemical and Airplane industries have been so strong is that the government has given money for research – and bought planes
Constance Blackwell

By: Gerald Gromnisky

Gerald Gromnisky — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:06:12 +0000

excellent article

Thank-you

By: John Taylor

John Taylor — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:49:34 +0000

As always these ideas look great on the surface, and indeed this would work except for a few problems. Working as a supplier of equipment for aluminum-lithium metal (not hydride as in computer batteries) we were supposed to build 20 or 30 plants around the world each with 4 to 7 production bays. Guess what? Lithiunm metal ignites when exposed to moisture. The fire can only be put out by smothering with copper powder. Attempt to extinguish with water causes explosion.
Also, enough lithium was not even available to run one bay. The Kerr McGee, Quebec Hydro venture closed up after huge expenditures and inability to get some of the complex equipment to work (not ours).
Hopefully someone can do better ? Best of luck.

By: John Evans Jr.

John Evans Jr. — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:35:12 +0000

Batteries age and go bad. What are the greens going to do with all the toxic mess from used up batteries? Who ever thought this type of vehicle could be used on a scale to replace the combustion engine has not done their homework.

By: fred preston

fred preston — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:25:18 +0000

First off my car does 50 miles per US gallon.
It is a small petrol car with direct injection technology. You can buy plenty of larger cars with similar mileage figures that are turbo diesels in Europe.

So there’s no need for mad electric vehicle ideas which are completetly impractical.

As for using the vehicles as battery banks for renewables. Are you really going to plug your car in overnight for a recharge and then find that, surprise surprise, there was no sun and the grid system has drained your battery and you can’t get to work. That’s just a ludicrous idea.

The truth is battery technology is nowhere near electric vehicle requirements and lithium ion still has to get over safety issues.

Turbo-diesels are the short & intermediate term solution, Ford et al already have the 40-50mpg technology dependant on size and Exxon are investing in expanding US diesel refining capacity – they know it’s the only way to go.

Forget the dreams and wake up to reality.

By: William Losch

William Losch — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:53:10 +0000

Why is The Oxford Club getting on the bandwagon in supporting more fascism for the USA? If anything,the US Federal Government should get COMPLETELY out of the US economy, and let the free market get us out of this whole GOVERNMENT CAUSED mess!