there sometimes seems to be an implicit assumption that if the vehicle is – a vehicle – that it automatically provides what most people want in a vehicle but the concept vehicle does it “better”…ie. better mileage, etc.

Most people, OTOH approach it from the opposite direction.

They want a vehicle that suits their lifestyle – FIRST and THEN they start looking for the rest of things desired.

IOW – they won’t start out by severely compromising the basics that they must have just to get other enhancements.

sometimes – the designers/promoters seem to be thinking that folks will abandon their basic wants just to get the enhancements.

I don’t think that happens much.

I think “winning” cars are the ones that satisfy the basic wants first but then add things that make it a compelling vehicle.

but some vehicle designers either don’t get it or they think people will throw everything overboard just to get a feature.

therein lies the conundrum with evolving technologies …and .. politics… where some feel we are wasting money by getting the govt involved in picking winners/losers in what appears to be – hairbrained schemes that are not very practical.

* The car weighs 830 lbs.
* Has a one cylinder, 250 cc engine
* Engine is rated at 40 h.p. and burns E-85
* Has a top speed of >100 mph and a range of 600 miles.

These are some pretty impressive specifications. Of course we didn’t say anything about how it looks or how long it takes to 60 mph. We also didn’t mention how difficult it might be to get into and out of nor did we mention it doesn’t even have power steering or refrigerated air conditioning.

In short this vehicle could probably be defined as some type of experimental vehicle built to achieve over 100 mpg during some type of competitive event. But there are lots of lessons to be learned from this vehicle design.

1. Aerodynamics are really important. While we have been paying attention for about the last 10 years to aerodynamics, we are still not really serious in my opinion. We don’t drop the nose of our vehicles to streamline them. We don’t take into consideration all of the drag created by the underside of the vehicles. Most of the time we don’t even put on hubcaps that decrease drag, and;

2. The weight of our vehicles is costing us thousands of dollars in vehicle purchase price and in operating expenses. We are so far from 830 lbs for a 4 passenger vehicle it isn’t even funny. And let’s not forget this is NOT a hybrid or sine type of electric vehicle with regenerative braking.

But who would buy one of these cars other than maybe a few hundred hyper milers and maybe a few hundred more early adopters. That does not keep a car company in business. So what should we strive for? What would constitute a vehicle that would sell well enough to keep several thousand people employed?

What does your dream vehicle look and drive like? How much does it weigh, how streamlined is it and how fast must it accelerate? What do you consider to be standard options?

The Congressman is making a statement about what kind of role the govt should have when providing incentives.

He wants major strings attached for (what he believes) is a practical, viable car rather than a very expensive and impractical prototype that only the rich can afford.

I like it myself. It’s a lot more intelligent than most of the rest of the GOP.

Also most of the car buying public only knows gas so you will do more good improving fuel efficiency for the masses, than making low volume electric cars. I hate to say it because I love and am purchasing a mitsubishi i, but fuel efficiency is always good.

Congressman Issa is a Hypocrite, whose sole job is to pimp himself for Big Oil. Most of these Republicans are devoid of any knowledge of the Laws of Physics. So how are they going to legislate into reality a 100% gasoline powered vehicle that achieves 100 MPG? This Republican party is a (1%-pun intended)joke.

This is more anti-Obama and anti-EV/hybrid behavior in my opinion.

Republicans refuse to show support for any solutions that Obama supports. In their opinion it is a bad decision if Obama makes it. The only way that Repubs will support EV’s/hybrids is if Obama changes his opinion and says he is against them….

I think Americans will enjoy driving F-Cell vehicles….

Like EV’s, F-Cell vehicles have an electric drive train, which I am finding to be much superior to an ICE due to the 100% torque at zero RPM’s.

A vehicle propelled by a 150 hp electric motor is much faster than a vehicle propelled by a 150 hp ICE motor, which typically does not reach maximum torque until it reaches 3000 RPM.

F-Cells will also be quiet and smooth like EV’s as well…

Hydrogen may not be here yet, but when it finally does arrive, Americans will welcome it with open arms…

It is definitely frustrating being in the 3% of folks willing to buy a hybrid or EV. We are definitely in the minority.

In time, more will come over to our way of thinking.

But in reality….The rate of adoption of hybrids and EV’s is consistent with the rate of adoption of other new technology…

Patience grasshopper…..