Oil spill = another reason to go green
Once again, the President urged Americans last week to wean ourselves off of the evil God of Oil. So in a quest to cut down on our gas guzzling cars and trucks, electric cars once again pop to the forefront of our minds.
Electric cars and hybrids have been quietly in the background gaining sales (although slowly), as new models become available and more mainstream. Several new models will hit the market soon, and perhaps the public will be enticed to try them.
Two of the biggest reasons why these cars have not taken hold of the market, though, are their expensive batteries, and the fact that drivers worry about being able to plug in when they’re away from home.
One million electric vehicles by 2014?
According to BusinessWeek, “President Barack Obama aims to get a million electric cars and plug-in hybrids on U.S. roads by 2015 to ease U.S. reliance on imported oil and cut carbon emissions. The first two mass-market electrics, Nissan’s Leaf and the Chevy Volt, are set to hit the streets this fall.”
Shopping centers and building landlords across the country might consider adding charging stations in their parking lots, to accommodate future demand. But the units are not cheap, costing $2000 to 5000 each.
Bring it on … more tax credits
There is legislation underway hoping to expand tax credits for the installation of charging equipment as well as electric vehicle purchases. The administration is hoping with financial incentives, landlords will keep the nation’s fleet of electric cars and hybrids charged and ready to roll.
That is, if they ever really take off to start.
Oh and one more thought: has anyone thought about how all this demand will affect utility companies? Demand? Are they ready for this?
Miami Condo Shop
June 20, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Great. Thanks to BP. It all started with Toyota’s famed Prius hybrid which sent shockwaves across the automotive industry. Then the race was on for ‘greener’ vehicles. So enter Nissan’s Leaf and the Chevy Volt. European car makers, with their proud heritage won’t simply get left behind, and now even luxury auto makers are looking into the possibility of going electric. This is good as competition will bring down prices while the auto industry significantly cuts down its carbon blueprint.
Sam Chapman
June 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Electric cars can take overnight to charge so being plugged in at a retail store may not do much unless the car is there all day.
Kevin Morales
December 11, 2010 at 10:33 am
I bought my first hybrid a couple years ago. It wouldnt make a lot of people happy but we are at the point that we need to go hybrid Always thinking green about my grandchildrens future I would like to see automobiles eventually all electric. I realize chances of that happening are very slim, but then again so was taliking to a friend on the internet in real time 30 years ago. I think about it even more when I am in a traffic jam inhaling carbon monoxide fumes and all of the sudden have a headache. Its then when you truly realize how bad it is.