Republican wars continued by the Democrats! Farming got involved as someone compared farm subsidies to EV subsidies. Both are crony capitalism corrupting free markets!
I am not opposed to hybrid owners enjoying their cars. They made a free choice to pay the extra cost. And it seems that several have calculated savings by driving one frequently. Kudos to them. But their free choice should not be at my expense (tax subsidies). Eating, everyone has to eat!
I am investigating purchasing a hybrid and will probably buy one within a year or two. But it will be my choice. I appreciate articles the DN brings to its readers so we can make informed choices. Politics aside, reality is a better teacher!
Lots of comments on this article, but didn't notice anybody bringing up this issue so I'll ask: with a plug-in hybrid, if you never run the engine because your commute and charging renders it unnecessary, doesn't the gas go bad? I've had this problem in smaller ICE motors (e.g., lawn mowers), so I wonder if it's an issue with the smaller engine of the Chevy Volt.
How did this veer into farming? People worrying about government subsidies?
Maybe Lincoln should not have given the land away (government subsidies) we could be selling it and cash in and pay for all the Republican wars.
When we went on the ESD (Engineering Society of Detroit) ride and drive we were told by a young engineer that they were finding great ways to bring down the cost of production.
No question about it, Bob Lutz, precipitated the Volt and the ELR, or Converj being introduced here shortly. That work was well underway before the Bailout HAD to come.
The Volt is nothing short of fantastic, and the ELR brings Syd Mead's future into our lives.
Bias from the oil boogieman... er, companies? Really? Couldn't possibly be that the general public just thinks they suck, and would rather have a real car that can actually haul 4 normal adults at greater than the speed limit?
Interesting arguement. Yes, I don't buy GMO modified farm products, which eliminates a lot of subsidized farming. I grow a lot of my own produce and buy from the Amish.
Where I don't have a choice, I buy, but I also fight against it. The American farmer has made a pact with the devil, and the foreign produce is dominating the American market now.
Point 1: I'm not boycotting the Volt. Just saying that the corporatism that goes into gov't having the taxPayers foot the bill on some items and not others is a bad thing.
Point 2: Boycotting food would be difficult (although doing it for a short stint probably would not hurt me). I am against subsidizing farmers, and regulating them (ie: tobacco allotments). I really am a free-market guy. I can provide mucho evidence of abuse of the corporate entitlements ... but that is off topic. I'm glad Volt owners are happy with their Volts ... I just think it's wrong that I had to pay for 70% of the vehicle.
OK, one good example, at Camp LeJeune ... they had a huge media parade about putting solar panels in on all the barracks. Sounded great. I was one of the few who looked at the numbers for the article. If the panels last 75 years with no operating costs, they will pay themselves off. Problem is, they only last 25 years and they do have operating costs. So it is once again the gov't throwing away tax payer $s. Technology will get there. The technology of yester-year did not get here based on gov't subsidies. Technology is a good thing in and of itself ... let it earn its way ... and let's avoid resource mis-allocation because of political whim (note, I'm not picking a political side, I'm not calling anyone an xxx-tard ... I'm just saying stop forcing tax payers to fund political expediency).
Counting all vehicles sold since 1999 at over 193 million and about 1.2 % of this number is hybrids and all electrics do not even make into a rounding error. I guess you may have a point about my skeptism. As far as complication, I drive a 1968 Pontiac! Think about the ease I have in repairs (if needed). Changing oil is not a warranty issue.
I will give you this, Toyota has a good record. but the bulk of sales are with the last 5 to 7 years. Again, at these low volumes, they should be making good cars!
I like your commitment. I was just wondering if you have the same thoughts about the government and farmers? Do you boycott food until farmers stop getting your tax dollars?
Good point. Prius owners happy with their car is good info, they bought a viable commercial product at a profitable price-this is sustainable.
I have no problem with Volt owners being happy with their vehicles but I have to wonder what the scores for Porsche Carrera 4S owners would be if they got them for 30K.
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