Someones stealing PT Technology

   / Someones stealing PT Technology
  • Thread Starter
#11  
I think it is a fascinating time we are living in. My Russian friend has a saying that with Crisis comes Possibilities.

This may be another revolution we are in (not political). Something akin to the computer revolution or the industrial revolution. We now have within our grasp the possibility of radically changing how we have operated over the past 100 years with respects to energy consumption, by combining old technology with new, and some futuristic stuff as well.

As I said, I am a lot less inclined to discount new and crazy ideas... but thankfully I have no money to invest in them either....
 
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #13  
I think it is a fascinating time we are living in. My Russian friend has a saying that with Crisis comes Possibilities.

My BIL at the FBI says that with Crisis comes Scams. ;)
 
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #16  
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #17  
I have a problem with totally electric battery operated cars. Car runs out of gas, put more in. Car runs out of battery, you sit and wait while it charges or call a tow truck. Plus, the range just isn't there yet for inter-city use. With a gas or diesel engine as backup/charger, etc... you get better options. Most of my driving is in the city. We drive about 17-18 miles a day. However, on kids' sports/activity nights we can drive well over a hundred miles in a day. Weekends frequently see 300 miles. Then there are two or three week long trips each year for vacations where we can go 600 or more miles in a day. Who wants to stop for a battery pack every hundred miles? Our Suburban can go over 700 highway miles on one tank. I would have to stop 7 times to exchange batteries IF that car got 100 miles to the charge. Winter time? Turn on the heater/defroster and your range will tank.

Another big question is who is going to assume responsibility for the batteries when they've worn out? What kind of environmental issues are there going to be? With gasoline, the oil companies assume no responsibility because the product is incinerated as it is used.

Anyhow, I got more questions but no time now. ;)
 
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #18  
The business model of the company discussed in the article has them owning the battery and the consumer leasing it, so they take responsibility for it. It sounds like they are planning an exchange system similar to what is available with 20 LB propane tanks, augmented by the ability to recharge it at home and work. If it works out, the initial markets would all be in urban areas.

I think the hybrid will be the only viable electric model for long distance driving for some time. Unfortunately, dealers who could not get enough of them a year ago are having a hard time unloading them today. It seems consumers are not willing to pay the premium price for a hybrid now that gas is under two bucks.

Some manufacturers are even offering rebates on their hybrids these days. There are some great deals out there for the people who still have a job and aren't afraid they are going to lose it. I hear both of them are going to buy a Prius. :p
 
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #19  
There are some great deals out there for the people who still have a job and aren't afraid they are going to lose it. I hear both of them are going to buy a Prius. :p


HA! Good one!!! :D

As you may or may not know, I work at a newspaper. Scary times. :eek: Our area of northern Indiana has some of the highest unemployment in the country right now. Mostly due to the RV industry tanking. Anyhow, my wife and I bought 1 new car back in 1989. All the rest have been used cars. Makes no sense to us to eat the depreciation when so many were willing to do it for us. :) Don't know if that will be the case much longer. And I'm not sure I want a used hybrid, not knowing what the battery life will be and what the replacement costs will be. I'll have to wait a decade or two before I decide. :D
 
   / Someones stealing PT Technology #20  
HA! Good one!!! :D

As you may or may not know, I work at a newspaper. Scary times. :eek:

I hope you are seeking alternative employment. The daily newspapers' days are numbered. The Seattle PI goes web only tomorrow. :(
 

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