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Future
Car: The Bill Gates / Richard Branson Challenge?
Thursday,
February 22, 2007
Foreign
oil dependency: Why our generation needs a Howard Hughes
Have you been watching the Discovery Channel's FutureCar
series? I have. While there hasn't been anything
terribly exciting on the program, I've still found it
entertaining. Yet, what strikes me most, is the fact that
the we are doing so little today.
Automakers continue to discuss fuel cells and hydrogen.
Sure, these are great ideas to strive for, but developing
as many hybrids as possible today creates massive momentum
in that direction, while having a huge impact on the
planet in the interim. Yet, the biggest fuel cell hype
machine, GM, still doesn't have one full hybrid vehicle
for sale - an unacceptable contradiction.
Even hybrid
cars, however, could be so much more. Take the Prius,
for example. Why not make the Prius out of composite
materials? Or, imagine a two-person, carbon fiber Prius
for teenagers, college kids and single adults. Imagine
adding plug-in capabilities to a carbon fiber Prius.
Ultimately, the future is here today. The ability to
create super-aerodynamic, super-light, super-strong and
super-fuel efficient vehicles is not a dream, but reality.
The ability to start building automobiles that can end
foreign oil dependency in a decade exists right now. Sure,
the revolution against foreign oil dependency and
fossil-fuel dependence won't be easy. It will require
imagination, risk, money and out-of the box thinking by
automakers, politicians and consumers.
Unfortunately, no one is stepping up to the plate to lead
this revolution. Even worse, American automakers seem to
be fighting against this revolution. Likewise, too many
politicians are too-well funded by either automakers
and/or oil companies to act.
Sure there are some interesting innovators out there, such
as Tesla
Motors or ZAP,
trying to change the way America thinks, but they need
help. America needs someone like Bill Gates to join up
with one of these companies, or form a new company.
Someone with massive power and wealth whom could challenge
the complacent and conventional thinking of consumers,
automakers and politicians.
Maybe Richard Branson and Burt Rutan could take on foreign
oil dependency they way they've taken on the X-Prize
and space tourism. Now that was Howard Huges-esque!
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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