The first day of class we were asked to write down a question about sustainability. I wrote something on my notecard about what it would take for Americans to make a change in their decision about gas/oil consumption. What prices would gas have to be for those Escalade drivers to change their mind about an eco-friendly car.
Sometimes, I think people do not want to drive those types of cars because they are not “cool.” But, when watching primetime TV last week, Americans got to see Ashton Kutcher driving a very stylish Fisker Karma. This car is the first true electric luxury vehicle, and its efficiency is undeniable. It can run 50 miles on pure electric driving, and then another 250 miles with support from the internal combustion engine. The car is supposed to be shown throughout the season, and depending on the amount of screen time, they hope that the show will generate awareness about the car to both Americans and millions of viewers all over the world.
The Fisker Karma is just one vehicle of many that disproves several theories about why electric cars are not practical. Forbes discusses these things in their article, “5 Things You Need to Know about Green Cars.” They explain that one shouldn’t worry about battery life, that hybrids are not range challenged, one should not wait for public charging, electric cars aren’t as expensive as they seem, and it pays to jump on the bandwagon early (one example: In California if you got on the waiting list for the Nissan Leaf, you received a free charger). More detail is explained in this article:
Overall, I think electric car technology is coming a long way. People need to start considering the environment and a more sustainable future. Hopefully, people will become more educated as time goes on about the myths of electric cars. I am also hopeful those trend loving Americans will want to be just like Ashton Kutcher driving the stylish Fisker Karma. The technology is there for an electric sports car, and we can only imagine what will come next.
Question: I know my dad is a gas guzzling SUV driver that would not give up his fast SUV no matter how high gas prices rise. But, when I showed him this car- it got him thinking, maybe he would want an electric car. What do you guys think it would take for majority of Americans to make the switch to “go green?” Also, what do you think of Fisker’s public relations attempt at attracting “Two and a Half Men” viewers to look at electric cars in a new light?
"2012 Fisker Karma | Overview and Karma Features." Fisker Automotive. Fisker. Web. 03 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/en-us/karma/overview>.
Motavalli, Jim. "5 Things You Need To Know About Green Cars - Forbes." Forbes.com. 03 Oct. 2011.
Web. 03 Oct. 2011. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2011/10/03/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-green-cars/>.
Read, Richard. "2012 Fisker Karma Lands A Role On 'Two And A Half Men'" Green Car Reports. 27 Sept.
2011. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. <http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1066603_2012-fisker-karma-lands-a-role-on-two-and-a-half-men>.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreat timing on this post as we will look at sections of "Who killed the electric car?" tomorrow. I think it is very possible that people will succumb to the electric car, even folks like your dad, as marketing is so powerful as is cultural change, which is happening as I type. That said, and I hate to disappoint, electricity is not as clean as we'd like to think it is as it is mostly derived from coal; and though coal is abundant as we will learn in a few weeks, we have extracted most of our clean burning coal. Future Gen? Projects like this require great capital investment--something not available in the economic downturn. Thus, while I believe the electric car will become a true alternative if not replacement for the oil burning engine, it is not the long term solution to a sustainable culture. (BTW--I happily drive a Prius--54 mpg)
ReplyDeleteI really think that the electric car is a way we need to go in the near future. Especially considering that, according to the Kunstler reading, we will run out of oil in the next 30 years if we don't make a change in the way we live.
ReplyDeleteI think in order to get Americans to give more consideration to the electric car, the big car companies like GM and Toyota need to start creating more options for the electric car and marketing them. If Americans are not given "cool" options they will not be motivated to change their oil consumption habits. I also think that programs like cash for clunkers will help to entice Americans to start buying more electric cars.
I believe the most effective way to get Americans to go green is by using the media. Therefore, their strategy using Aston Kutcher was brilliant! Normally when new products are being introduced, companies tend to connect with certain celebrities who have a good fan base which would draw more individuals to their product. Most people would not have paid attention to the Fisker Karma until they noticed Aston Kutcher's interest in the vehicle.
ReplyDeletei agree with everyone. promoting the electric car via the media is a great idea. however, i would caution that relying soley on someone like ashton's celebrity status to promote the go green message is not enough. i say that conscious effort by politicans (both here and abroad) in conjunction with the automotive and energy industries to put the plan in motion.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn order for Americans to become intrigued with going green regarding vehicle, there must be a change in the design of more efficient vehicles that run off alternative energy. Just as you stated in your blog, the people do not want to drive something not seen as "cool" or attractive. However, with this new innovation I can see that opinions will rapidly change regarding the alternative energy source vehicles. Especially, if they look amazing as the one in the picture and can travel 100+ miles without shutting off. In order to persuade the people to invest in these vehicles to provide for a more sustainable future, automobile companies must be the first to change their perception of electric vehicles. This would possibly create a domino effect and hopefully soon. As far as viewers of "Two and a Half Men," they will be intrigued first by the design, next they will be persuaded by the fact a celebrity such as Ashton Kutcher chose a vehicle of that caliber, and last the people will develop an urge for obtaining the feeling of driving one.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the comments stated above. Also, I think it is the responsibility of the car industry to start making more hybrid cars. In the past there were only a few options of hybrid cars and many people were not attracted to these. The more options people have, the more willing they are to find one they like. For example, many families rely on SUV's for space and now there are more hybrid SUV's available so more SUV loving families will be more likely to purchase a hybrid car. I also think that many people are discovering that hybrid cars are worth the initial cost due to the gas money they will be saving throughout the future. Also hybrid cars are beginning to become "cool" and as you can see in the picture in the post, are very attractive both in looks and policy.
ReplyDelete-Melissa Worker
I really enjoyed this post. I have always been a person who would never even consider purchasing an electric or hybrid car but this article has changed my mind at least a little. I grew up in a household that only purchased "American" made cars (Ford, Chevy, GM, Pontiac, etc. although it is becoming clearer that manufacturers like Toyota and Honda are now moving more plants to the US) and I have learned how to repair and maintain these cars, a hobby I hope to never lose. I think a lot of people fit into this same mindset as me and it will be particularly hard to get people like me to convert to more energy efficient vehicles however when the technology associated with these vehicles allows them to drive faster and power stronger engines I am sure the necessity of switching to a electric or hybrid vehicle will overcome my ties with the old gas-guzzlers. Unfortunately this might not happen until I feel I can no longer afford gas for my car or until an American manufacturer creates an electric sports car similar to ones already available but this article suggests car manufacturers are at least moving in that direction.
ReplyDelete- Michael Trajkovich
How in the heck did the real electric car ever die? Now all we have are pretend electric cars which still use oil. The whole point of the electric car was to get us away from having to use oil to fuel our transportation. We need to move back to the day where the electric cars are completely electric. This would be a great short term fix on the road to energy sustainability.
ReplyDelete