The Model T of the plug-in hybrid?
There has been a ton of news about Fisker Automotive in the last several days. I guess being connected to the VP of the US is a pretty smart move, especially when the government is doling out $50 billion in fuel efficient loans and other grants, etc. these days to automakers and suppliers.
Still, how important is Fisker, and it’s plug-in hybrids, to America’s automotive future?
As with Tesla, I respect Fisker’s focus on fuel-efficient, technologically-advanced products, but we’re still talking about luxury vehicles. I mean, how much has Porsche, Ferarri, etc. really driven the future of the gasoline-engined auto industry?
Of course, the plug-in future is different. New. One innovation could change everything. Nonetheless, the future of the plug is scale, or millions of sales every year.
After selling more than 2 million hybrid cars, Toyota’s hybrid technology still hasn’t scaled enough to be cost-effective for most consumers, but Fisker or Tesla can achieve scale via tens of thousands of luxury plug-in vehicle sales per year?
Or, perhaps these luxury plug-in automakers are simply using luxury plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to bridge to $50,000 ‘economic’ versions that can compete with a Chevy Volt, a plug-in Toyota Prius, or a Nissan Leaf, etc in 2015?
Maybe. Still, I cannot help but ask, is a new automaker really the missing part of the oil-free revolution, or is the real issue the cheap cost of petroleum – at least in terms of pump prices?
see also........
- Fisker beginning to look like the real deal
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- When did Toyota pull the plug on plug-in hybrids?
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- Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept Vehicle To Debut At IAA In Frankfurt
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- PX-MiEV Plug-in hybrid concept
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- Cadillac XTS: GM’s plug-in hybrids live
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- BCG Study: What it will take for plug-in cost-effectiveness
- 19 years to recoup Volt costs?Today, the Boston Consulting Group released a study on plug-in vehicles that suggests, as have many studies recently, that plug-in adoption will by stymied by cost-ineffectiveness for some time.To achieve critical mass, BCG cites the $250 kwh threshold that automakers claim will be required to make plug-in vehicles cost-effective. Unfortunately, [...]...
- Time to get real about hybrids and plug-ins
- All about the dead Presidents? Several months ago, a JD Power survey found that, despite declining gas prices, more than 70 percent of Americans were interested in buying hybrid cars. More than 40 percent of that 70 percent indicated they would pay as much as $5000.00 more for a hybrid.At the time, however, hybrid sales [...]...
- Suzuki makes Swift move to plug-in hybrids
- Another series hybridSuzuki is bringing the Swift plug-in hybrid to the Tokyo Auto Show.Not a lot of details have been released so far, other than the fact that the Swift plug-in hybrid is a lithium-powered series hybrid. ...
- Report: Plug-ins would increase CO2 emissions in England
- It all keeps coming up dirty coalAre plug-in hybrids the key to global warming?Absolutely not if coal is the source of plug-in electricity.However, could coal-powered plug-in hybrids help reduce CO2 emissions as other clean technologies are added as power-generation sources?That largely depends upon where one lives and a number of the factors, including whom you [...]...
- Sound Off: Luxury hybrid vehicles
- Holy chick magnet?Check out the BMW M1 hybrid. Not only are you rich, but green.I mean George Clooney probably already has a down payment on one.Likewise, those private jet flights down to the latest and greatest Caribbean hot spots don’t have to feel so guilty for the jet-setting crowd if they pick up one of [...]...
