Do you think the goverment should do more to promote electrical/hybrid automobiles?

Question

the question said it all

Answer 1

I really think so. I mean, only private companies right now are endorsing hybrid vehicles, and electrical ones are almost nonexistant. Even though hybrids aren't perfect, they are still a step in the right direction.

Answer 2

I think the question is, "why should they", whats in it for them?

Answer 3

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 4

Yes.  Particularly hybrid technology would help minimize greenhouse gases.  The electric car would depend more on the source of the electricity which is used to charge it whether it was a step in the right direction.  More than that I think that the government needs to start promoting and developing various forms of mass transit and ride sharing or jitney programs.  Community Solution has a good paper on the smart jitney concept:

http://www.communitysolution.org/pdfs/NS...

If Smart Jitney's could use hybrid vehicles, all the better.

Also the government needs to begin to discourage air travel, which is very energy intensive and to encourage the improvement of railroads, which is one of the most efficient modes of transportation.

Answer 5

Absolutely.  For example, the government recently phased-out the tax credit for Toyota hybrids because they sold so many models, yet hybrid sales still only account for 2% of all US new auto sales, as you can see in the second graph here:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/02/...

Alternative fuel technologies like hybrids and EVs are going to be an important step in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to address global warming.  The government is going to have to do a lot more than just subsidizing these technolgies until they get up to a whopping 2% of total auto sales.

Answer 6

Yes, especially if it is a plug in hybrid. Most people drive an average of 29 miles a day. Battery technology could make it so that one would only have to switch on the gas motors for long trips. The recharging of the batteries could come from alternate sources such as solar panels and wind turbines installed on your property and car essentially making it all but free after your initially start up cost.

More importantly such an action by the government might actually do something for a change about the environment. No matter how hard we try as individuals without government regulation it simply will never be enough.

Answer 7

The government should stay out of the market.

Answer 8

NO...the people should demand the change of the companies through their individual choices.  If everybody who claimed to want to "save the world" by making others drive/build hybrids actually went out and bought a hybrid, the hybrid would be the best selling vehicle around the world.

I commend those who have made the choice to live off the grid.  If you make your hydrogen with electricity from solar and wind, it is the cleanest energy out there...

Answer 9

No. Innovation is best left to the free market. I believe private funding and competitions like the X Prize are the best ways to create and perfect new technologies.