Would you rather own a Tata Nano or a Tara Tiny?

Question

The Tata Nano will cost $2500 and claims to get 59 mpg.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/19/tatas-2-500-59-mpg-offering-described-as-eco-car-on-displa/

The Tara Tiny is an electric car that will cost $2500 and have a range of 62 miles with a top speed of 43 mph.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/18/move-over-tatas-nano-taras-electric-tiny-is-now-the-worlds-c/

In this battle of the cheapest cars on the planet, which would you rather own?

Answer 1

Neither of the above, they are both junk.

Answer 2

Well India gets 86% of its energy from oil and coal, 8% from natural gas, and just 6% from hydro and nuclear.

http://www.ecoworld.com/home/articles2.c...

So it's hard to say if a 59 mpg gas car or an electric car in India would be more environmentally friendly.  Studies have shown that using energy strictly from coal, EVs still reduce CO2 emissions as compared to gas cars by 17%-59%.  However, that's based on the average car which gets about 40% the fuel efficiency of the Nano.

http://www.pluginamerica.com/images/Emis...

So they would probably be pretty comparable in terms of greenhouse gas emissions in India.  Since the Tata Nano has a higher top speed and better range, I would probably choose that one until India gets a greener power grid mix.

Answer 3

none of the above!!! there has to be more options in the world today than that!!

Answer 4

The Tata Nano looks very interesting but the company has no plans to market this car in the USA or even North America. The Tiny also sounds interesting but is not practical for rural areas.

Answer 5

Aww the Tata Nano is so cuuute! I choose that one. Too bad there's no picture of the Tara Tiny. But Tata Nano has a better name.

Answer 6

The NANO, of course. No charge downtime and more range. When the electric grid goes down from a Muslim Radical's bomb, I can get out of town.

Answer 7

TATA NANO

Answer 8

I can build you a Go-cart with better fuel economy and safety than that thing.  It'll probably go faster than those "cars" too.  I'm sure your fine and dandy in a small vehicle like that, until you get run over by a kid on a bicycle.

Answer 9

I'd have to go with the Nano.  It sounds a lot better, and "nano" is pretty catchy.

Now, if it were named the Tara Tron, or the Tara Volt, it would be a whole different issue.

Seriously, I'd much rather have the gasoline powered vehicle (the Nano).  Better range, better top speed.  The Tiny.... I couldn't even drive on the highway.  I'd get ticketed for going too slow, no joke.

Edit--

Wait, if I lived in India?  Then it would definitely be the Nano.  India's power grid uses rolling blackouts due to insufficient power production.  They generally cut power to universities at least an hour every day, and for their residential customers it can be even worse.  In the cities it's not so bad, but in the suburbs and country... no thanks.

Answer 10

I'd rather ride in my '86 Mercury Grand Marquis.  It cost less than either one that you mentioned, looks better and, for me, is MUCH more economical.

Answer 11

I would want to know how the electricity will be generated, or plan to use my own solar generation.

Now if I planned to use the electric car only once or twice a week, I might prefer to share one with another family or two. But I  know that providing the generating capacity needed will cost me at least 10,ooo  so from an initial outlay basis, the nano would be the low investment vehicle.

If I lived in India that would likely be a strong determinant.