Is
the Federal hybrid tax credit protectionist,
anti-capitalistic, anti-American legislation?
Wednesday,
January 17, 2007
Why
not help Toyota produce as many hybrid cars as possible?
GM's future is now the Volt and even though GM doesn't
like to admit it, the Volt is a hybrid vehicle.
Consequently, the near future is ALL ABOUT hybrid vehicles
- at least if you care about the environment or foreign
oil dependency.
Every other automaker in the world will either have to
develop hybrid
cars, or something far better, or the world can to
wait 20 to 30 years for the possibility
of fuel cells and hydrogen.
Why? Why isn't America putting as many hybrid vehicles on
the road as possible?
Recently, I was in Detroit, sponsored by GM to attend the
launch of the Volt
plug-in hybrid. During my time there, I met several
wonderful executives, including Beth Lowery, V.P. in
charge of environmental matters for GM and even Bob Lutz.
These GM executives made me change my view about GM.
Moreover, in addition to these execs I met many more
less-than-VP GM employees, and they made me proud to be an
American and proud of GM. (Read
my thanks to GM post for more).
The Hybridcarblog has spent much of its editorial time
persistently attacking GM and the Big 3, and I will
continue this approach if necessary. Still, more than
ever, I want the Big 3, particularly GM and Ford, to
succeed. I think their success is vital and essential for
America.
Nonetheless, I want to end foreign oil dependency more
than I want to help GM and Ford. I desperately want to
take the power away from madmen like Hugo Chavez and
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and ending our reliance upon oil is
the best way to make that happen. More important, I want
America to lead the world in the development of the most sophisticated
automotive technologies - something America
IS NOT doing today.
At NAIAS Beth Lowery expressed to me the great importance
of R&D and manufacturing incentives for lithium-ion
technologies, and I absolutely support the Big 3's request
for government incentives to develop advanced battery
technology. In fact, I think Congress is stupid and has
been stupid for not addressing this immediately. Still,
competition - better than any other factor - will light
the fire under the ass of not only the Big 3, but of
Congress, and the best way to breed competition is the
success of your enemy.
Extend tax credits for Toyota hybrid vehicles. Let's put
as many hybrids on the road as possible, regardless of
which automaker is making them - it's the best thing for
America. Advanced hybrid technology can end foreign oil
dependency and significantly reduce the need for any
liquid fuel, all while taking automakers step-by-step
closer to fuel cells. So, let's - We The People - make
automakers act. There is simply no excuse not to move
forward.
Inevitably, Toyota's success will only push every other
automaker to move from the status quo into the future -
with great haste. So, let's push Congress to extend Toyota's
hybrid tax credits.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
|
Years back, GM came up with energy-sufficient, ekectric-run EV-1's until the oil companies felt they were being threatened by the rise of EV-1's, so GM had to interevene them.
I think the reason why the American gov't doesn't try hard enough is because they're addicted to oil.
A few weeks ago way down in the Anza-Borrego Desert of Southern California, I had my first opportunity to drive a Prius. My overall impression was that we need more of these things on the road, no matter who makes 'em.
Since I normally drive an old Dodge pickup, I was mightily impressed with the smooth ride. But the quiet of the electric motor really got to me.
The quiet was spoookie!
I love the looks of the Honda Civic Hybrid. Why do most Hybrids have to be ugly?
Hey check out my blog.
The federal tax credit is not big enough in my opinion. It does not apply to leases. And it does not make the Prius the same proce as, say, the Corolla.
Harald Mackenzie