Eco Rally low down by James May

[Didactical]

One of the Top Gear presenters (the floppy haired sensible bloke) attended the Eco Rally and this is his take on the whole thing.

[Brian]

I chuckled because it confirmed what I've suspected for a while - that most of the current (no pun intended) generation electric cars (and bikes) on sale can only be bought by wealthy motorists who never need to drive far.

There's no doubt in my mind that conventional, widely available, state-of-the-art cars are still thrashing alternative-fuel vehicles in almost every department.

Exactly.

That's not to say that those wealthy homebodies shouldn't subsidize the development of a variety of technologies by buying expensive and impractical products, but those cars definitely aren't ready for the mainstream yet.

[Didactical]

"My hypocrisy knows no bounds" - Doc Holliday from Tombstone

Celebrities in attendance included Sian Berry, the anti-SUV activist who was wearing a T-shirt declaring that 4x4s are not clean or cool, a bit like her chain-smoking habit.
She was in a standard petrol-engined Alto made by 4x4 manufacturer Suzuki, whom she had decided to befriend for a day.

[Didactical]

Speaking of "environmentally friendly" battery powered monstrosities...The Chevy Volt will cost....drumroll please....$41,000!!! WTF?
Not this one:


This one...that's hot!


$41,000....for an ugly sedan? Woopty do! I'm stoked.

[Brian]

I doubt they'll break even on it even at that price.

[Didactical]

I am sure they are doing it strictly to look like they are being more environmentally friendly...mainly by supporting all of the mining for the hard to get to metals for all those batteries (i hear nickle mining is a really dirty business).

But there are a lot of cars you could buy for $41,000 that you would want!

[Brian]

Also, pragmatically, if GM can displace the emissions so that they're being generated somewhere other than the car, it helps them not have to worry so much about regulations. The utilities, mining companies, etc. will be the ones dealing with the government.