The Future of Cool: Electric Muscle Cars at the Detroit Auto Show

[unhappycamper]

http://www.juancole.com/2014/01/electric-muscle-detroit.html

The Future of Cool: Electric Muscle Cars at the Detroit Auto Show
By Juan Cole | Jan. 27, 2014

I dropped by the Detroit Auto Show this weekend (its last this year) at Cobo Center as it was wrapping up. Regular readers know that I am a big fan of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, so I had a lot of fun window shopping and fantasizing. I have a Chevy Volt and I put solar panels on my roof, as most owners of electric vehicles tend to do. They help to pay for each other and accelerate the carbon savings. Stanford scientist Tony Seba is convinced that by as soon as 2030, solar power will have killed off oil, gas and coal. I think he is right. The cost of the solar panels is falling rapidly and so much research and development money is going into the industry that new efficiencies and price free falls are highly likely.

I was shocked to see how many of the gasoline cars on display at the auto show got 18 or 20 or 24 miles to the gallon. In 2014! That is ridiculous. Why would you do that to yourself or to the earth? (My Chevy Volt has gotten an average of 100 miles/ gallon this past year, but that is only because we take it beyond the electric range about once a week. If I just commuted and drove inside Ann Arbor, I’d be getting the equivalent of 250 miles/ gallon according to Chevrolet).

I can’t understand why, in 2014, you would buy anything but a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle if you are a homeowner and needed a car. (Apartment dwellers still often have no access to an electrical outlet where they can plug the car in; it is like an appliance, such as a refrigerator). Gasoline is extremely expensive, and burning it causes catastrophic climate disruption, including over time extreme global warming.

As for price, if you figure in savings on gasoline and the current tax incentive, the EVs aren’t that much more. Sometimes people characterize the Volt as expensive, but they don’t seem to understand that it is a luxury car. In fact, at its current price it is a steal (Chevy dropped the price steeply and you still get a $7500 tax break on it). The Prius plug-in hybrid is relatively affordable for the middle class after the tax rebate, as is Ford’s C-Max Energi, which is currently the least expensive plug-in hybrid at $29,000 or so after the tax break. All these prices will come down as the batteries improve and get cheaper over the next few years.

[Ezlivin]

1. Not shocking, but electrifying news!

This is great news. Really.

I love watching the progression of electric vehicles. When they release an electric RV I will know the future has arrived.

[rwsanders]

2. My dream electric would be the VW 2001 Bulli concept car reconfigured as a hybrid (or full electric)

http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/484396,2954/2001-Volkswagen-Microbus-Concept_photo.aspx

[father founding]

6. battery ready

The long flat floor on this bus would hold a large battery.

[Gumboot]

3. And for anyone who loves to ride on two wheels....

Here's a link to some super-cool electric motorcycles.

Made in the USA, too!

I'm going to take a test ride on one of these as soon as this latest band of snow is gone.

Imagine setting off on a ride at 6am, and not waking up the neighbours!

[The Wizard]

4. Although I think electric cars

should be promoted and sold at affordable prices, I'm unsure of the environmental issues associated with the lithium batteries and their disposal.

[ffr]

5. Several comments on this topic.

1. My brother's family is virtually power green. They own two pure electric cars and two hybrids. Their home has solar electric power that had a return on investment of 10 years when their system was installed, but due to escalating power costs has decreased to slightly over six...and will probably continue to decrease. It's a win-win for him.

2. 2014 will mark the first year that Formula One motor racing will include hybrid electric powercell technology into a return to turbo-charged engines. The powercell is reported to boost overall maximum output by 160 HP, but will require the driver to manage its use, as every race car will have the same electric hybrid boost capability.

Very interesting times these. All thanks to government that promotes such ideas, rather than discourages it. Thanks President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi for making our lives better in so many ways!

[riqster]

7. The only reason I did not buy a Volt:

Cargo space. I need more room to haul gear to gigs. So I drive my 30-mpg Jeep Patriot, and hope the manufacturers get a clue soon.

(Yes, I know, there are hybrids. I want a car architected like the Volt.)

[gejohnston]

9. How is it in snow

and back roads? My dream ride would be to restore Willey's CJ and make it electric.

[riqster]

10. Mine is a Patriot, built on the Caliber platform

So, very different from the Willys chassis.

[EricMaundry]

8. We got a Chevy Spark EV

You can't buy them anywhere except CA and OR, but it is a great car. It basically has the same electric technology as the Volt, but without the gas generator. $2,500 rebate from CA, $7,500 from Uncle Sugar. No more gas stations.

[Soundman]

11. What is your driving range?

[idendoit]

12. The Future is Here!

treehugger.com/cars/electric-mini-0-60-in-4-seconds-it-has-motors-in-its-wheels.html