Audi exec continues hybrid and EV slam
Still not viable even after a $7500 tax credit?Yesterday, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen, continued his attack on the political love affair between D.C. politicians, including President Obama, and electric cars, claiming that plug-ins were probably two decades away from widespread use.
"The 50 percent or so price increase that the Volt represents over a similar gasoline car cannot be offset through the savings from reduced fuel compensation," de Nysschen said. "The only way to offset the extreme premium is through taxpayer-funded subsidies," and that according to de Nysschen, "is not sustainable."
Instead, de Nysschen claims the free market should determine the winners, and according to de Nysschen, clean diesel would be a winner that would significantly reduce foreign oil consumption.
Labels: Audi, clean diesel, electric cars, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:09 AM
3 Comments:
While it's obvious de Nysschen has a point, he's still at least partially wrong. Certainly, it is probably going to take time for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to become cost-competitive, but just one battery breakthrough could immediately change that dynamic. Nonetheless, assumptions have a way of making asses of people, so more immediate action, such as clean diesel, is probably a good idea in the short term.
More important, however, I'd bet diesel gains in efficiency would ultimately be significantly manifested in larger, more powerful vehicles, as has been common throughout America's automotive history. Moreover, with China eclipsing US auto sales, petroleum demand - whether diesel or gasoline - is destined to spike again, and again, and again.......
People will buy hybrids and plug-ins when those vehicles will save the owners money and not before.
Look at Europe. Gasoline is $5 a gallon and up - and where are the Hybrids?
Nope. When gasoline hits $5, people will:
1. start taking transit to/from work
2. drive less
3. buy smaller, more fuel efficient cars that cost less than other cars.
That's more than likely what would happen in the US if we put a dollar per gallon tax on gasoline.
If I can buy a conventional gasoline-powered car that gets 40mpg and is 5K less than a hybrid version of it why would I pay 5K more?
I don't think you "buy" your way to "green".
You do it by using less... and you eat the consequences of using less - less driving.. smaller car... etc....
I think the idea that we can "buy" our way to green is misguided.
i don't really disagree larry, but i think you'd see a huge uptick in hybrid sales if gas prices hit $5.00 per gallon.
at $5.00 per gallon, the prius would spike. we saw it at $4.00. the only thing limiting sales was supply.
toyota plans to be 30 percent hybrid by 2020. that means toyota envisions cheaper hybrids. if true, toyota's hybrids will be cost-effective and not only will you see a huge uptick in the US, but europe as well.
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