From: Adrian Tymes (wingcat@pacbell.net)
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003 - 19:11:24 MDT
--- Mark Walker <mark@permanentend.org> wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Adrian Tymes" <wingcat@pacbell.net>
> > The standard keyphrase for this is "distribution
> > system". Put simply: how do you get those
> stations
> > set up in the first place? (Yes, there are gas
> > stations now, but how do you pay for refitting
> those
> > with the robots you mention prior to enough people
> > having these cars to make it economically viable?
> A
> > chicken-and-the-egg type problem.)
>
> I agree this is a problem, but it is a political
> problem not a technical
> problem as was the suggestion in the original post.
Agreed. But just because it's a political (and
economic) problem doesn't mean it's an easy one to
solve.
> Given the extant
> political economy, I would favor some heavy tax
> brakes to help the
> bootstrapping problem and let the market work out
> the details.
Yeah, that's one common solution. Problem: where
does the money to pay for this come from?
Related example: if you could suggest a way for
California to fund more solar power production, in a
way likely to bring higher tax revenues within one
year (*maybe* two), there are a hundred-odd people
over here who might like to co-opt your idea for
actual use (and for furthering their bids). One
possibility: make the power companies pay for any
and all excess generation that homes actually do
(possibly up to some limit: homes are homes, not -
primarily - power generation substations), but tax
said revenues. Then, put tax breaks on installing
solar such that solar panels become a reasonable
investment. The ultimate source of money? Power
exported to other states. Problem: would the tax
breaks actually tax away more money themselves, than
would be generated as revenue in the short term?
(Political calculations unfortunately don't always
allow for long-term considerations.)
> > Having operated an EV1 before they were scrapped,
> I
> > can tell you that your dream - in this regard - is
> > right-on.
>
> Lucky bastard!
I see what I wish for, and I strive to achieve it
where I can.
Besides, I just happened to need a new car about the
time the second generation came out. ^_-
> I was under the impression that many of the ev1's
> (the lead acid ones) had a
> 110 charge option, which would mean you could plug
> in anywhere with outlet
> where you could borrow a few amps? No?
Yes, but that was the first generation - max range
around 60 miles. Much less usable. Generation two
could not accept the 110 charge option, in exchange
for roughly double range.
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