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[FL_Prius_Driver]

Originally Posted by tochatihu

(Thinking out load) Is a 'performance bond' even a possibility? Either put the car on the road on date X, or repay the development money.

The PURPA act for alternative energy had some constraints that resulted in new alternative energy plants having to produce power on schedule in order to collect the tax advantages. The key thing learned is to carefully set up the legislation or bond such that the investors, not the government, loses money if the goal is not met. This resulted in LUZ finding ways to build complete power plants in under a year. That's stunning to me.

[cycledrum]

Rant on baby ...

Assuming the Volt is to be an all-electric car capable of a whopping 220 miles per 4 hour charge ...

.... how many want to fork out what ... $30, 40 grand for a 2nd car that they can't even take on vacation or out of town?

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Gas prices go way up and our US mfrs. start flinging BS about all-electric cars.

Can't GM and / or Ford / Chrysler just get serious and try to second source, build their own Prius-like car? Geez, if they did a decent job, they could likely selll a truckload of such a car since folks now must wait in line for months on end for a Prius or pay over sticker price.

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Toyota has gone from no hybrid to best selling hybrid in 10 years. When they come out with the plug-in hybrid in just 2 short years, the well-wishing all electric mfrs will still not be selling squat...

because the plug-in hybrid gas/ electrics will allow to commute to work / run around town for a day on battery alone ... and you've got the gas engine to augment / recharge just in case you run out of battery juice.

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IMNSHO .... If all-electrics really want to compete for the masses, better figure on putting some size of gasoline / diesel / easy to fill type of ICE powered unit in the car.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Originally Posted by cycledrum

Rant on baby ...

Assuming the Volt is to be an all-electric car capable of a whopping 220 miles per 4 hour charge ...

.... how many want to fork out what ... $30, 40 grand for a 2nd car that they can't even take on vacation or out of town?

In the case of Tesla, every single car they make has been bought years in advance. With the Electric RAV-4, those presently sell for more than the were originally bought for. The present market proves that the electric vehicle you describe is a wildly popular item.

Originally Posted by cycledrum

Gas prices go way up and our US mfrs. start flinging BS about all-electric cars.

Can't GM and / or Ford / Chrysler just get serious and try to second source, build their own Prius-like car? Geez, if they did a decent job, they could likely selll a truckload of such a car since folks now must wait in line for months on end for a Prius or pay over sticker price.

Good question....very very good question.

Originally Posted by cycledrum

Toyota has gone from no hybrid to best selling hybrid in 10 years. When they come out with the plug-in hybrid in just 2 short years, the well-wishing all electric mfrs will still not be selling squat...

because the plug-in hybrid gas/ electrics will allow to commute to work / run around town for a day on battery alone ... and you've got the gas engine to augment / recharge just in case you run out of battery juice.

See first comment. You may not want one. But, I do, and so do many, many others.

Originally Posted by cycledrum

IMNSHO .... If all-electrics really want to compete for the masses, better figure on putting some size of gasoline / diesel / easy to fill type of ICE powered unit in the car.

This assumes gas is available, and does not cost $50/gal.