America's only hope for energy independence?
Only fuel cell hybrids can save us?Most these days claim fuel cells are a dream, but are America's plans for energy independence or serious reductions in global warming emissions any less of a dream?
Study after study demonstrates the fickleness of consumers towards embracing hybrid cars, especially plug-in versions. Likewise, according to most studies, achieving energy independence and serious reductions in global warming emissions via battery-powered vehicles requires gas prices as high as $7.00 or $8.00. Ironically, at such prices, most consumers would buy cheaper cars, not more expensive plug-in versions, studies have suggested.
More important, however, what are the chances of selling such a gas tax to America, or a robust enough cap and trade plan? It seems neither has any chance, despite the overwhelming evidence indicating the need for either one or both. Ultimately, Americans want everything without giving up anything.
Certainly, the key might not be fuel cell hybrids; however, can anything other than a major technological breakthrough - a dream - save America? Equally important, is there any chance America can achieve any such breakthrough without a leap of faith forward?
When America decided to reach the moon, for instance, our leaders didn't ask if it was possible, we had to make the impossible, possible. Is clean energy independence any different?
Labels: energy independence, fuel cells, global warming
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:18 AM
8 Comments:
Whats sad isn't just that people won't embrace hybrids, its that they won't let go of the massive SUV's and minivans.
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Let's face it $7.00 or $8.00 gasoline will change behavior at least for those individuals who still own trucks, SUV's and other large vehicles at least that's what I believe. Everyone knows what happened in 2008 when gas hit only $4.00/gallon.
It is also true as stated in the posting "most consumers would buy cheaper cars, not more expensive plug-in versions".
There are some very simple reasons for this. We have been transitioning our society from one which makes things to one which just buys and sells things. We have been on this path for about 30 years. Some people label that type of economy the service sector economy.
As more and more of our society become consumers and fewer and fewer people produce something our wages will continue to drop. Labor statistics are quite clear that service sector employees make on average about $10.00 per hour less than someone working in the manufacturing sector.
So it is any wonder that most people would buy a cheaper car instead of a more expensive model for fuel efficiency alone? Also since it will most likely be a cheaper vehicle it will also be smaller and lighter and more fuel efficient.
Just read an article today that a direct injection, heated vapor fueled gasoline powered vehicle is under development that get's 70+ mpg.
What's the old saying $3 gasoline is the same as $6 gasoline at twice the mileage.
Tom G.
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I get the feeling that hydrogen is our "ace in the hole".
Whenever we do reach that point when the oil begins to run out, hydrogen will come in and save the day.
When we do reach that point, oil prices will have risen to the point that it is now economically feasible to use hydrogen.
In the mean time, we'll keep tinkering with hydrogen & make slow steady progress so that hydrogen will be ready when we need it.
Nice article.
If we have a choice, it will only be something like hydrogen. Hydrogen lets consumers experience little change, which will be the only way to achieve great change - when it requires little effort from consumers.
Otherwise, it's forced change caused by government policy or $7.00 gas.
It seems to me that any government trying to force such a change would be impeached.
Peak oil in 2014. That's the latest prediction. That might help get the job done. Hopefully, the Bloom box is the real deal!
Hydrogen also represents very little change for the seller.
Chevron would like nothing better than to slowly convert all of its gas stations to hydrogen stations and have hydogren sales pick up where gasoline sales dropped off.
change without change. kind of a funny concept.
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