[M.D. Holloway]

A friend sent this to me - pretty interesting...

The Chevy Volt reminds us--once again-- of the undeniable folly of letting government politicians dictate technological design solutions:

Both Popular Mechanics and Motor Trend have completed road testing and report SEVERELY disappointing gas mileage. Popular Mechanics reports a pitiful 32-36 MPG from the $41,000 car--about the same as the gas-powered Hyundai Sonata which costs only $19,000 and features similar creature comforts. To fully appreciate the government collusion angle, consider that the EPA claims the Volt gets 236 MPG on their official 52 mile test cycle. So the 236 MPG EPA Rating is what consumers see on the window sticker when they consider buying. Imagine their disappointment after the first tank of gas!

For more details see this link:
The American Spectator : Embarrassing Volt Charges

But amid all of the hype, the essential question is obvious: Why is the government throwing so much money at a technology that shows so little promise?

Ever since we moved from horse-drawn power to automobiles, the electric-car industry has been promising that it was just on the cusp of viability. Today is no different. We are being told that this time things are different, that the technologies are better, the batteries are better, and that consumers are ready to adopt electrics like never before. Perhaps that’s true. But consider this declaration: The electric car “has long been recognized as the ideal solution” because it “is cleaner and quieter” and “much more economical.” That story was published by The New York Times on November 12, 1911.

Or given that the new Chevy Volt costs as much as a new Mercedes-Benz
C350, consider this assessment by a believing reporter: “Prices on electric cars will continue to drop until they are within reach of the average family.” That line appeared in The Washington Post on
Halloween 1915 .

And since the Volt is being built by GM, this news item says that the giant carmaker has found “a breakthrough in batteries” that “now makes electric cars commercially practical.” The new zinc-nickel oxide batteries will provide the “100-mile range that General Motors executives believe is necessary to successfully sell electric vehicles to the public.” that story was published in The Washington
Post on September 26, 1979



For more read Robert Bryce's Unplugged! Why Electric Cars Are the Next Big Thing...And They Always Will Be Unplugged! Why Electric Cars Are the Next Big Thing...And They Always Will Be | Robert Bryce-author/journalist

Those that aren't familiar with battery physics may be shocked by this disappointing news. But, to better understand why electric cars can not deliver on the politician's promise, review the below chart showing the relative energy density of various automotive fuel sources.



Folks with common-sense will instantly understand that the reason we use gas in our cars isn't because we have been brainwashed by "Big Oil"-- WE USE GAS BECAUSE IT WORKS BEST!

Don't forget these same know-nothing politicians have already passed a new law mandating that by 2016 your new car MUST achieve 35
MPG--even though the $41,000 Chevy Volt can barely reach that number and the Obama Admin is now talking about a totally insane 62 MPG requirement by 2025. MOTORCYCLES CAN'T ACHIEVE 62 MPG! If this law happens you will not be driving anything remotely comparable to car--even if a few real cars are still available you won't be able to afford it.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/10/01/general-specialized-consumer
-services-us-fuel-efficiency_7978767.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews