Comments on: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Wishes the Chevy Volt Well as His Company is Awarded $465 Million in DOE Loans

By: jeffhre

jeffhre — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:37:09 +0000

Please try to use fewer facts. Facts hurt my brain. Please stick with the innuendo, insipid unsupported conclusions, baseless generalizations, stereotypes with only a hint of factual evidence, plus some name calling. Thank you in advance – I know you won’t let me down.

By: jeffhre

jeffhre — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:22:21 +0000

Happy to oblige. Send us a check for $1.2 million to Jeffhre@fuelcellcarsinyourwildestdreams.org. We’ll get started on fulfilling your order right away.

We’ll send you your vehicle the very moment some one builds a fuel cell production car from the DOE Advanced Technology Loans they have applied for.

Will each manufacturer that fits those criteria please step forward…Sounds of crickets chirping… don’t worry about that, we are not deterred at Jeffhre@fuelcellcarsinyourwildestdreams.org, please send the money now!

By: jeffhre

jeffhre — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:10:50 +0000

I also like trains as an element of the transport mix that may even help to extend the 85 to 90% efficiency of electric motors over long distances on appropriately chosen routes.

Although incredibly efficient, their large scale is at complete odds with the tradition of individualism though.

Can’t beat the image of a lone guy, accomplished, independent and determined, in his highly technological, sleek and luxurious automobile, free to go anywhere anytime.

– as long as trillions of dollars of roads and maintenance and equipment and stoplights and signage are funded by the state.

By: Michael C. Robinson

Michael C. Robinson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:31:51 +0000

Anyone concerned about why Tesla needs loans? Are BEVs not profitable perhaps? At $50k+ the Tesla Model S doesn’t exactly scream family car does it? Even people who have worked at Tesla will tell you that battery performance varies depending on driving style and worse, battery performance declines over time.

Electric cars yes.

BEVs no.

Fuel cell cars yes!

Get me a Volt fuel cell hybrid now!

By: KentT

KentT — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Protectionism? This is not the ’70s! Toyota overtook GM in sales! WE need some protection! But of course, we can’t protect ourselves from our own bone-headed government!

Ford is well run? Mr. Mullally has done everything right? PLEASE! Mullally has mortgaged Ford to the hilt. I’d rather be in a place to repay the federal government than the sharks on Wall Street. (Do a Google search on how Ford has working capital during this period.) I wish Ford all the best but they have been number two all these decades for a reason. (I’ve yet to find a comparable Ford product vs. GM and have yet to choice Ford.)

By: Xiaowei1

Xiaowei1 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:54:30 +0000

I think you are missing the Tesla batteries are a used at a deeper cycle than that of the Volts. as such, it is expected that in 5 year after use it will retaining about 70% capacity*.

Tesla Motors stated in February 2009 that the current replacement cost of the ESS is slightly under USD$36,000*.

so its probably not 5-6 time more expensive, more like 3 to 4 times more expensive.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster

By: Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:03:11 +0000

Thanks for the post! That is a great writeup!

By: Koz

Koz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:46:00 +0000

See, I think this is a mistake, especially now. If there are tangible obstacles to the Japanese market, GM (First Solar or others) should be shouting it from the mountaintops as well as directly detailing it the oversight board. The current administration has expressed a desire to address fair trade and now is the time to do it.

By: LauraM

LauraM — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:26:17 +0000

Japan (and Korea, btw) is known to have a closed market. They claim that Japanese customers just aren’t interested in foreign goods. To some extents that’s true–it’s part of their culture. But the Japanese government puts lots of road blocks in front of foreign companies trying to sell things there. It’s not just autos. It’s everything.

First solar isn’t even trying to sell in Japan even though it’s the largest market for solar power in the world. The Microsoft xbox outsold the Sony Playstation everywhere else in the world. Except Japan. I could go on…

So, while the Volt might technically be eligable for the Japanese incentives. (I don’t know if they are.) It’s hard to take advantage of it in practice given how closed the Japanese market is. And they know it. Otherwise, they would be talking about the Japanese market and those subsidies in their Volt releases.

By: LauraM

LauraM — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:07:11 +0000

Oh, I plan to plug in every night when I’m home. I don’t think its that inconvenient. I come in, park, and then plug in. I would do the same thing for a 500 mile BEV.

The point I was trying to make is that I want the option of the range extender for those times when I can’t for whatever reason. And that it will happen more often that most people probably think.