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Detroit, 3:35 PM
Tue Dec 8
26 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/21/09
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10/21/09
So we all already own a little bit of an electric vehicle infrastructure, that's intended to be built in multiple cities. So Nissan's not just up and selling 20k vehicles to random people across the country. I'm in San Diego, so if I can afford to buy one, I'd sure as hell be part of the test panel. My wife could put around town in that thing rather than our 16mpg 4Runner. Might as well support the goverment's efforts at bettering our transportation infrastructure since the money has apparently already been allocated. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
If a product isn't viable without a subsidy, it will eventually go away. Haven't we proved that rather conclusively with the US automotive industry? #nissanleaf
10/21/09
"It's not substantially cleaner than current green cars, and it doesn't provide anything close to good performance"
How so? It produces zero emissions, burns no gasoline. Doesn't provide good performance? Have you driven one? #nissanleaf
10/21/09
10/21/09
Its performance is going to be limited by low rolling resistance tires, which I'm OK with if the performance you want to achieve is high mileage. But don't think for a minute that's what people want. Just look at the press release: it's styled for smugness. That's the whole marketing strategy. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
My point is that EV is utter BS until, at the very least, it provides comparable performance at comparable prices. To have a true Model T - a real game changer - EV is going to have to outperform IC. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
At least the government is helping to fund experiments like this and other sources of advanced automotive and battery development to TRY and reduce our dependence on foreign blah blah blah. We wouldn't be driving on highways at all if we relied on private business, such as auto manufacturers, to finance the building of roads and the national highway system. I think it's a good thing to try and keep the automotive industry around for a long time. EV's may or may not be the ultimate answer, but I appreciate the fact that it's a process and not an event. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
Also, I just firmly disagree with you about the process of adopting new technology. Successful innovation almost never builds steam gradually. You really do need a Model T that takes the world by storm. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
Also, I'll agree to disagree, but I don't see how you can make such a blanket statement about successful innovation. What's the point of that argument? - "Sorry, but this just can't be successful, because it's taking too long." I don't buy that at all. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
[www.wired.com]
subsidy is subsidy is subsidy, and the truth is that not one lonely EV would be for sale in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD without them.
Innovation, like the rest of every freakin' thing in the world, has to appeal to the preferences of the market. If it can only exist by taking my tax money before "convincing" me to buy it, then you're simply never going to convince me that it was the option the market would have found absent the subsidy. I'm deeply skeptical of hydrogen, but who's to say nukes and hydrogen aren't a better answer than plug ins? Who's to say that after CB analysis, SULEV ICs aren't the most efficient answer? It will be damn hard to tell through the funhouse mirror of government subsidies. #nissanleaf
10/22/09
You originally claimed we are subsidizing Nissan. We are not, and I provided you information. We are giving income tax credits to purchasers of the EV's, which is stated in your wired.com link. So it's exactly what I said.
I don't disagree that EV's wouldn't be getting off the ground as fast without gov't $, but the "free" market doesn't give a shit about the actual availability of refined oil for IC's, or where it comes from. That's why the gov't is involved in markets, be it in subsidies, tax breaks, or regulation. It's partially a national security issue. It's not JUST a question of efficiency, it's about energy sources. I'm not convinced that EV's or hydrogen are the answer, but that's the whole point of researching it. Gov't can make that go faster or guide it in a certain direction because of environmental, security, or other reasons, which are decided upon by our elected officials, who take advice from industries and lobbyists or consumer groups.
The free market is a f-ing myth in this country, whether you like it or not. Feel free to vote for people who share your views and can push that agenda. You are welcome to your opinion, but don't expect to be taken seriously if your responses to comments aren't based on facts, like "cleaner than current green cars" or "subsidizing one of the world's largest companies". #nissanleaf
10/22/09
You're pretty short on content here. Your argument is "The free market is a f-ing myth in this country, whether you like it or not" and you're giving me advice on being taken seriously? #nissanleaf
10/21/09
Sure, you can have it any way you like as long as it is EV. #nissanleaf
10/21/09
10/21/09
-Meant to perform a single function well? Check.
-Ergonomic? Check.
-Powered by electricity? Check.
-Inexpensive to own and operate? We'll get back to you on that one.
-Does it suck with the power of multiple horses? Check.
It must be a Hoover.
10/21/09
@pauljones: I was thinking more of this. Not as practical though... #nissanleaf
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10/21/09
@Bioengineered Smoothie: #nissanleaf
10/21/09
07/27/09
Let Nissan play. Maybe they'll come up with something interesting.
07/27/09
Actually I'm serious. They sell it at Booster Juice up here, and it's quite yummy, particularly when followed with a Mango Hurricane.
Hmm. Where are my keys?
07/27/09
So, will I be getting emails letting me know my vehicle will be unavailable from 6am to noon Saturday for server maintenance?
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07/27/09
Isn't it also the Renault Versa in Europe? Or did they change the name over there?
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