PBS' NOW asks who did what to the electric car
Getting ready for the new documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?" that is coming to theatres this summer, the PBS program NOW dedicates its show this week to discussing the film and electric cars in general. This page gives a brief description of the show itself and here's a good timeline on the history of electric cars (going back to 1832!). Also, actress Alexandra Paul talks about leasing the first EV1 (GM's electric vehicle that is the main topic of the film) that was made available to the public here. Lastly, here's a Q&A with Daniel Sperling, who teaches at UC Davis and is director of the Institute of Transportation Studies. Sperling says he believes "we will see many of our vehicles running solely on electricity in the not-so-far-off future." [Source: PBS]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve C. 5:01PM (6/09/2006)
Typical. This guy talks about fuel cell technology being the answer but no one asks him how you get the hydrogen in the fuel tank (know where your neighborhood hydrogen fuel station is?) or how much of what type of energy is required to produce the hydrogen (a whole lot of natural gas).
A hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric car is a great idea if your goal is not having cars emit pollutants but it doesn't do a whole heck of a lot to reduce dependence on fossil fuels until we figure out how to make pure hydrogen in a non-polluting, non-fossil fuel-intensive process.
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John Hritz 11:05PM (6/09/2006)
The NOW episode and the interview with the film maker exhibit a lack of a coherent argument. An electric car has to get its electricity from some place. Just like there are good and bad ways to get ethanol, running your car on electricity generated from burning coal is only making it someone elses problem.
The current arc of hybrid electric car to plug-in hybrid to full-time electric is looking pretty solid. Managing the charge in the battery, improving battery technology (the EV1 ran on lead acid batteries and was upgraded to Nickle Metal Hydride, the most modern hybrids use Lithium Ion) and keeping the battery at the proper temperature will extend range and improve longevity. Not to mention that gas prices make a lot of sustainable practices economical.
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Matt 11:21PM (6/09/2006)
Steve I think if you actually looked into this movie, or even watched the episode of Now you would know that hydrogen was not a selling point in his arguement. I suggest that you inform yourself before making an unsupported statement on any situation in your future.
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EGS 9:06AM (6/12/2006)
Ol alexandra forgot about hte energy it take to make a car.
both of these people are loons. stop buying cars and start walking if you wnat to help the environment. i took ten thousand times more energy to creat that car than you will ever "save" by driving it.
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pointaken 12:44AM (6/29/2006)
Classic. This article includes every element of what is wrong with envirnmental movement that turn off the rank and file and makes those who take envornmental issues seriously look ridiculous. It has:
1) Celebrities and rich folk with no need or understanding of the problem or technology: they use environmental causes for publicity and fashion. Alexandra Paul - career needs to be saved from drowning.
2) An "expert" academic type who has only read and written for living - they use environmental causes to build a career without actual invoking changes. Sperling has spent an entire lifetime of academic achievement writing high-minded avocacy papers to get government grants. None of it fundamentally is useful or has changed the course of energy or transporation to make positive environmental change.
3) Screwball consipiracy theory - EV1 witch hunt introduced by the rich filmmakers who bought EV1s as toys. Then got mad when their EV club was about as large as the AV club at their Junior High School. They don't rcognize that the underlying value propositon of the EV was not compelling for people who work "square jobs" and were looking for useful transporation. So they make a film and "get even" and blame everyone for taking away their toys. The film will be viewed seriosly only by elements 1,2,3 and 4).
4) An author, who is dying for publication, but it too lazy for actual journalistic reporting of facts.
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Curtis 7:15AM (11/19/2008)
This idiot say`s a $3.50 per gallon floor on gas prices is the answer. I am retired on SS. Gas prices in my area have fallen to about $2.00 per gallon. I can now buy food again. You need a gallon of your $3.50 gas up your ass. I would be glad to lite it.