Posts Tagged ‘foreign oil dependence’

1 percent or less: Another victim for the plug-in hit list

Time for Congress to act on energy independence

Turning dissent into energy independence solutions

Back in late 2004 and into 2005, I began an attack on JD Power’s Anthony Pratt. Why? Because he foolishly predicted that by 2010, hybrid car penetration would top out at 3 percent. I, on the other hand, believed that consumers had changed, and that the auto industry would be forced to accept battery powered change, resulting in much higher hybrid penetration.

Obviously, Mr. Pratt was right, and I was the naive, optimistic, well intentioned fool. Thus, today I take the forecasts of industry experts much more seriously, especially when largely echoed by most automotive CEO’s, such as Volvo’s Stefan Jacoby.

Without significantly more government investment, Mr. Jacoby believes that the auto industry won’t even achieve 1 percent plug-in penetration by 2020. Read more…

Isn’t Obama better than his gas-guzzler ridicule?

An advocate of the ethanol scam?

Why did the President drive gas-guzzlers before his Presidency?

Apparently, before becoming President of the US, Barack Obama was President of the Flat Earth Society, either that or he’s just your typical hypocritical politician.

I know it’s a political year, but I really wish the President would focus less on attacking others for doing the same thing he did just a few years ago, and just lead America forward. Read more…

Either drilling “or” batteries is the problem. It’s “and”.

Batteries and natural gas can complement each other.

America can change the world with a holistic energy policy

I have few doubts that electrification is the future of personal mobility. Sure, there is the possibility that some form of biofuel, such as that from artificial photosynthesis on steroids, could reduce the need for electrification. Ultimately, however, electrification is going to be extremely hard to beat.

But today, there are lots of barriers to mass electrification, such as costs, lack of charging capabilities for many, the legacy effect, minimal supply chains and manufacturing capabilities, just to name a few. On the other hand, there are numerous underutilized technologies being ignored today because someone isn’t happy that they don’t go far enough, or they just aren’t perfect enough.

And that’s why we need to stop talking about this solution “or” that solution, according to Larry Burns, because we need this solution “and” that solution today. Read more…

Why? Consumers losing interest in hybrids, EVs, clean tech

Plug-ins have arrived, but consumers are caring less and less

Has green tech been oversold and under-delivered? Is it just the economy?

In the last few years, consumer interest in hybrid and electric cars, solar power and other clean technologies has declined according to a recent survey.

Obviously, it seems the struggling economy is part of the problem. Coupled with, until recently, generally lower gasoline prices — at least compared to the spike of 2008 — and the decline in clean and green interests isn’t that surprising.

Yet, the economy has been improving, while interest in clean tech has not. Read more…

It’s war: Personal foreign oil independence isn’t enough

When is enough, enough?

America needs a goal, a dream, a national energy policy

If you are personally foreign oil independent today — at last theoretically — I salute you. I know many that have contributed to this blog over the years that have achieved such a goal.

But is that really enough?

If a $6.00 per gallon gasoline spike crushes friends, family, and economy, will personal energy independence really mean that much? Read more…

Independence: Electric car warm and fuzzy versus reality

Energy independence and the decline and fall of the American empire.

Can you be a plug-in fan and tell the truth?

If you follow the alt car news then you definitely know about the Tesla Model X, and why shouldn’t you? It’s a gorgeous car from a brilliant company. There’s a lot to love about the X and Tesla. In many ways, Tesla is the epitome of American innovation, and a company to which I don’t mind sending a few tax dollars.

Yet, is it beneficial when the green auto press loves to talk up the $40 million in sales the X launch recently drove, while ignoring the $81.5 million fourth quarter loss the company endured? Read more…

Pro-American? The Big 3 plan for US energy independence

Is this real American, Big 3 leadership?

Is the Big 3 really any better than Big oil?

We build what Americans want. That’s the mantra US automakers tout regarding their over-dependence upon gas-guzzling pickup trucks time and time again. So, what about the other 50 percent of America? LOL! We really are a divided country, but in so many convoluted ways.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Big 3 recently, especially since coming across a JD Power study regarding the importance of perception and how it affects US auto consumers — we’re pretty manipulable, even to our disadvantage. Then came the Super Bowl commercials, particularly Clint Eastwood’s Chrysler commercial and also GM’s Chevy Silverado apocalypse commercial.

All of it has me wondering, when it comes to being pro-American, are the Big 3 really any better than Big oil? Read more…

Plug-in car focus a cord around energy independence’s neck?

Leaving a lot of foreign oil fighting potential on the table

It’s time to get real about the costs of US foreign oil dependence

In my opinion, ending foreign oil dependence — at least achieving North American independence — is far easier than many might imagine. Ironically, today independence appears even significantly more within reach compared to just a few years ago.

But, it takes real vision to grasp this energy independence potential, but it’s not the seer-like kind of vision that can foresee the technological future some might expect. Rather it takes the vision to simply seize the opportunities available today. Carpe diem! Read more…

Keystone: A pipeline through the heart of American ignorance

Good old American hypocrisy

“No blood for oil” all over again

Around the time of the 9/11 attacks I worked in Pasadena, California. And near my office on South Lake St. protesters showed up every Friday afternoon to protest the build up to Iraq. “No blood for oil” was the rallying cry.

At first, I was quite sympathetic with the cause. In fact, once the Metro Goldline subway line opened, I stopped driving to work to fight my personal foreign oil dependence. But, over time, as I noticed more and more SUVs with “no blood for oil” stickers attending these rallies, I could no longer stand the hypocrisy.

Protesting against “blood for oil” makes little sense when you guzzle blood oil. Read more…

The hybrid barometer: America just isn’t that impressive

Good thing Americans don't understand geography.

No country has more to gain from reducing foreign oil dependence, nor more to lose

Screw GM. Screw Detroit. Screw the Ford F150. Screw the 1% and the 99%. Screw the American consumer and screw the USA. That pretty much sums up my feelings about America these days. It’s time to face it, WE suck, America. It’s not just them. It’s all of us.

And god do I hope that Iran plays some war games around the Straits of Hormuz. Read more…