The car manufacturers are getting ready for the 2010 line up. Early indications are that green is in. Nissan is leading the charge with a report of an electric model, the Leaf, circulating on the Internet. Nissan has taken the role of the no-nonsense practical car company recently. The Cube, which looks like, well, a cube, is all practicality and no ego.
The Leaf takes the same no-nonsense approach and applies it to the concept of electric cars. Allegedly able to run 100 miles between charges, the Leaf could be a viable ‘second’ or ‘city’ car and could be the catalyst that opens the market up to finally, FINALLY, getting away from dependence on oil (for how long have we been saying that?)
If you’ve never seen the movie Who Killed the Electric Car?, I recommend that you add it to your Netflix list (or if you’re some kind of 20th century throwback barbarian, you can go to your local video store). I love a good Big Government – Big Oil conspiracy theory as much as the next guy, and WKtEC offers them up in spades. As far as documentaries go, this is really a good one.
The gist of the film is that the technology was in place years ago, but the will was not there. Recently, thanks to $4.00 a gallon gas, the will was there, but no auto manufacturer was ready to capitalize on it. Now, gas is back down to a better – but – still – outrageous $2.50.
There are questions that must be answered. Will consumers be willing to shell out what is sure to be a hefty premium to purchase an electric vehicle? Will the first generation electric cars deliver on their promised 100 mile range? Will there be enough demand at the initial prices and offerings to stimulate competition in the marketplace (which will, in turn, improve the products offered and lower the prices). Only time will tell, but I get the feeling that after decades of delays and failed promises, the future is finally just around the corner.
