2005-04-28
Reading about the topic of hybrid cars brings up the question again?
Why is it that the big three automobile manufacturers are not coming up with up-market serial-hybrids, that focuses on performance and convenience, rather than the environment?
Should they not be starting from the top, rather than from the bottom or the middle? Usually, the path taken by the application of a new technology (hybrids are ancient concepts) starts from high-up. Consider disc-brakes. It took it route from aeroplanes, to up-market cars all the way down to ordinary family cars.
Obviously, hybrids are going to cost more (two systems in place of one), then why are they marketing it as a cost-saver?
There is a limit to how much environmental concerns can push buyers.
Before the masses start buying electric power-trains, facilities to handle them and people with expertise in these units must reach a particular level. Environmental concerns and measly cost-saving in fuel (which is negated by higher initial and operating costs) are not enough to bring the infrastructure to the desired levels.
Furthermore, since it is still directly dependent on fossil-fuels, it will keep influential lobbying groups from sabotaging whatever little success there is in finding alternatives. This is something they will be happy to let happen, since, they are among the few who can fund a replacement to fossil-fuels in the future, and well established electric power-train use will only be conducive to their ends.
Labels: electric powertrain, serial hybrids
Posted by FiniteState42i @21:53
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