Current Status of American All Electric Car
Current Status of American All Electric Carhttp://money.cnn.com/2009/04/16/technology/grove_battery.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009041709
If you want a good series of reports on the American all electric car, go to your library and read the April 27, 2009 edition of FORTUNE magazine with Warren Buffet on the cover. The link is to the article written by Andy Grove. Other articles in the magazine include "Car Wars: Asia vs the U.S."," Buffet's Electric Car", "Climate Crusader", and "Recharging Detroit".
The articles are eye openers and among the best work ever by FORTUNE magazine.
COMMENT
Andy Grove is correct when he mentions that:
"When gas was topping $4 a gallon last summer, the urgency to find alternative sources of energy to power cars and trucks became clear to most Americans. But with oil prices toppling since, the push for new energy technologies is being shoved aside by the nation's other economic woes. That is a mistake that could cost the United States everything - especially if this recession is followed by a period of fast growth."
And Andy Grove further stated,
"As a start, Energy Secretary Steven Chu should organize an industry council - like the World War II Production Board - and run it as if we were under wartime pressure. He can pull in the National Academy of Engineering and the National Science Foundation and have them recommend the technical approach. He can use the National Labs for R&D.
But the critical limitation is going to be battery production. To get an adequate supply of batteries for U.S. automobiles will require new manufacturing capacity that costs billions. Let us create a government-owned foundry organization that supplies, say, the first few million batteries, until the electric car and battery industries reach a critical size. Then let this organization license the manufacturing technology to private companies and let it go out of business."
America is behind in battery development but must develop the next generation of car batteries in order to have a viable transportation industry. I certainly do not want any of the American electric vehicles announced so far. Most appear like expensive toys that can travel 40 miles on a charge or less with a charging time of approximately 8 hours. The electric only vehicles appear unsafe on the road when competing with tractor trailers, SUV s, pickup trucks, and most gasoline only vehicles. The hybrids combining electric with an additional gasoline motor is ridiculous.
America wants an electric vehicle that can travel 150 or more miles on a single charge and can be fully charged within 2 hours. The car must be able to travel on highways. The car must be safe for the driver and passengers.
President Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu should make it a national priority for America to leapfrog in battery technology. Everyone should motivate Obama and Chu by sending them emails and regular Postal Service letters. Everyone should contact their congressional representatives.
If America fails in taking the lead in battery technology and production, then we will be importing batteries forever and the American car industry will become just a memory.
Go to your library and find the April 27, 2009 edition of FORTUNE magazine with Warren Buffet on the cover. The link is to the article written by Andy Grove. Other articles in the magazine include "Car Wars: Asia vs the U.S."," Buffet's Electric Car", "Climate Crusader", and "Recharging Detroit".
posted by God Bless America - Bob @ 1:08 PM
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