Originally posted by Afro Cheese
Yes but if they tried to make those cars for everyone it wouldn't be profitable. Not everyone can afford those cars.
not everyone can afford them because they are a specialty car. if they are mass produced the cost will go down. im sure the first ford model t's cost a fortune.
If car companies made both regular gasoline-run cars and alternate fuel cars, I'll bet that they'd stand to make a lot of money....because there are plenty of people that would rather pay more for an alternate fuel car because in the long run, by not spending so much on gas, they'd save money.
And like PVS said -- if they were mass-produced they'd be cheaper. Also, new technology is ALWAYS expensive, but over time it goes down fairly quickly.
But it still wouldn't be as cheap as normal cars are now for a long time. And you'd think more people would want to buy alternative source cars, but it doesn't seem like that does it? People are still eating up SUV's and minivans instead. They are even giving people things like free parking just to buy a hybrid car.
Yes, this is true. But consider how gas prices have been going up -- last week it was at $2.50 a gallon here, just for unleaded. That's ridiculous. If they don't level off soon people might calm down on buying gas guzzlers.
Speaking of gas prices, it dropped down to 2.25/gallon this week...I need to fill up my car ASAP so I don't get bitten in case it goes up again.
Originally posted by Afro Cheese
People are still eating up SUV's and minivans instead.
well yeah...people suck
but now we are both generalising.
pleanty of people will invest in alternative fuel cars.
those who invest will stimulate growth in that particular industry,
which will bring the cost down as more and more people will catch on.
and who's to say people cant have their cake and eat it too?
is it impossible to dream up a hydrogen powered SUV?
we are conditioned to picture a tiny clown-car when we think
of alternative fuel vehicles, so i make the same false assumption.
anyway, i will accept that there are alot of a$$holes who seem to get off on
burning gasoline and will accept nothing else, but i think (hope...pray)
that they are a minority.
Here gas is about $2.39 for regular.
Yeah PVS, I know that some people would buy it but I just doubt it would work on a massive scale the same way gas feuled cars do right now. I'm sure it will happen eventually, but as long as it's more profitable for it not to happen it won't.
Doesn't mean we can't each cut down on how much we drive to try to conserve gas. It's just like a drought... only use what water you need.
Originally posted by PVS
is it impossible to dream up a hydrogen powered SUV?
This has bugged me for quite a while. I own a jeep cherokee, as SUV's go it's not the gas guzzler that the "urban" SUV's are, but it still is not the most economic thing I could drive.
The problem is that I need a car that can go into the bush and get me out again. I need it for my job, I need it for my favourite pastimes, and I need it for alot of the volunteer work that I do. It is more a tool than a fashion statement (which SUV's for the most part have become).
But I am continually astounded by the fact that no companies have made an alternate fuel 4x4. I'd be all over that in a second. I do see that the oil companies would rather we burn their product so they don't have to waste money on research or responsible environmental practices, but you would think some one would have the seeds to step outside the box.
In response to the question, I am pissed. What can I do? Well I bike to work but that is because I live so close (A mile and a half). If anyone has any suggestions that they think would make a difference I am willing to listen. Boycott a company? Write a letter to a politician? Join an environmental group? Let me know.
here is an interesting related article to
thwart the nonbelievers. people WILL buy alternative
fuel cars. just make them available and affordable.
hybrid car sales are up 81% in the states
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=699701&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Sweet... Its a good start, now lets hope more people pick up on things like that and more start driving them. But they are expensive and seen as less fun to drive. So its going to be hard to replace normal cars anytime soon, even if the government started supporting them more and car company's started making more...