While alternative fuel and electric vehicles will cost more, and are scheduled to hit the market en mass in 2010, high milage turbo diesel cars are coming this year, with VW bringing the Jetta TDI back—it's rumored VW is preparing to bring the 70-plus mpg Polo to the States later this year, or next.

So while the rich pay for the initial cost of alternative energy vehicles, lower cost high milage vehicles will be available for the masses (at least that's how I read current developments).

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"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

-Thomas Jefferson

One problem a shift in technology is that most people don't/can't buy new cars.

My parents have never bought a car that was less than three or so years old.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

So if Mercedes brings it in 2015, when do you think the "the masses" are going to be able to buy one?

Well, despite the gloomy situation, people still buy cars... and there are always those who have to buy cars (companies, taxis, ...)

Those are usually also alot more concerned about running costs than about confort and the looks of the car.

I dunno how it is around the world, but I see quite some Toyota Prius Taxis in Germany... a market that is usually dominated by Mercedes Limousins...

And many company car Smart's (for service, small deliveries,...)

And those are not exactly cheap to buy if I remember correctly... but just pays off in a few years...

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I can't point to it in the link, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that "alternative fuel capable" means that they will be able to use something like E-85 OR gasoline.
I can't see a no petroleum products lineup, simply because there will still be a lot of road where gasoline is the fuel that's for sale.

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“The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine.”

Senator Thad Cochran, Mississippi (R)
on McCain

“I decided I didn’t want this guy anywhere near a trigger.”
Senator Pete Domenici, New Mexico (R)
on McCain

“My anger did not help my campaign ... People don’t like angry candidates very much.”

McCain on McCain

I'm just saying that for most of us, the opportunity to change to a non-gasoline car is several years off from the car's release.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Well... Mercedes is developing towards the Hydrogen car for decades (since the 80s)

Since the Hydrogen Car is nothing else but a electic car that uses a fuel cell as a battery, this developement can easily be transformed into building battery powered vehicles.

AND We shouldn't forget, that this "revolution" of the automotive industry is a huge possibility for "start-up" car producers.

Ford abandoned the "Think" brand in 1999 and now this Norwegian car maker has presented a highway-approved Electric Car on the Genueva Motor Show, which has the sufficiant range, speed and security to be called a "real" car.

"Think" is now owed by a Solar Energy Company Billionear and has recently started a developement cooperation with General Electric.
With giants like GE entering the playing field, there could well be a unexpected and fast developement on the car market.

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It seems the eccological "Premium Segment" (cars that are cool but totally too expensive) is already under attack.

A car created by the former VW chief-designer is going to be sold from 2009.
It's a hybrid car with a seriously an electric range of 100km and a total range of 800km (using a regual gasoline engine as a generator)



I personally think it's fuck ugly but that won't keep the rich to buy it anyways

The initial production is set to 10.000 cars per year... I wonder if it works, considering that the price is 50.000€ (not incredible for such a car though)

BTW: The empty weight is 800 kg...

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Well, around here the number of luxury vehicles is quite high...

I know what you mean though. By your original post, I thought you assumed this technology was only coming to the ultra-high end vehicles and that you didn't consider a $30k car affordable in comparison.

Well Mercedes will begin to bring alternative products to market in 2010, including an electric SMART car.

I just posted about VW's new diesel hybrid hopefully in 2010.

2010 looks like a BIG year for alternative technology cars, with many manufacturers slatted to bring new cars to market.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

-Thomas Jefferson

Here in San Diego (which includes area like La Jolla, Del Mar, and Coronado), the number of luxury vehicles is also quite high.

As a percentage, though, of all the cars on San Diego freeways, they pale in comparison to non-luxury vehicles...

Ever ride in a Smart car?

A client of mine in Toronto used to have one, and we took it out one night.

I value my life far too much to buy one of those things...

Don't worry, when gas hit's $10 a gallon, there won't be many cars much bigger than a SMART car on the road.

But there will be bigger cars to choose from, I guarantee.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

-Thomas Jefferson

Germany is leading the charge in alternative energies. They have solar farms.



They have about 8000 windmills.



And now they are on the cutting edge of electric and hydrogen cars.

I'm so disappointed that it's not the USA leading this charge. It used to be us. Perhaps when Obama is President we'll be able to catch up with all the new technology. Bush and Cheney are oil men. There's never been any chance they would initiate any of this. They've done all they can to raise the price of oil so they can line their pockets. They've succeeded and the American people are losing.

about 12.000 Windmills that produce more than 3% of the electricity consumption.

It's a start....

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