The cited reason for the dramatic change in direction? Problems with battery storage. Well. Duh. That’s the name of the EV game and it leaves us to wonder how well Chrysler will do reaching a break-even point by 2011 (that’s the plan) and rolling out all those new models on Fiat platforms when the face of the automotive game is changing toward alternative means of propulsion. Short-term profitability but no long-term plan embracing new technology? Maybe not the wisest choice.

The competition apparently has no battery-related qualms as Toyota contemplates a whole family of hybrids based on the Prius, a name that in and of itself could well become a brand. General Motors is clear that it sees the Chevrolet Volt, which will debut in 2010, as the opening shot in a volley of vehicles combining rechargeable batteries and gas-powered generators. It’s a reasonable trade-off — 40 miles on a single electric charge, conventional engine for longer excursions — even if the initial price tag of $40,000 stops some short. (Figure in a $7,500 consumer tax credit and it’s a little more palatable.)

And the big boys are far from the only ones embracing (or abandoning) big electric vehicle plans. Fisker is buying an abandoned GM plant in Delaware for $18 million with the intent of retooling the facility as a construction site for plug-in hybrids. After a three-year conversion, and armed with $528.7 million in federal loans from the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program ($175 million of which will go directly to the Delaware plant), Fisker expects to be rolling out units by 2012. One of those products will be a mid-sized family sedan currently set at around $39,900.

Roll all this and countless other projects together and we are looking at a nascent electric vehicle revolution, one that will initially be expensive for the consumer but that has tremendous long-term potential for our global dependence on fossil fuels. A year ago I confess I didn’t think we’d be this far down the EV road. Now? I’m looking forward to seeing what 2010 holds in store for this exciting transportation genre.

There has certainly been enough on the news here of late about driving while texting to bring driver inattentiveness to the forefront of my thoughts. It’s now illegal in Texas to talk on a cell phone while in a school zone and I am making myself use my bluetooth headset while in the car and studiously ignore texts. I’ve rarely been guilty of texting while moving, but I have been known to do it at lights. I remind myself every time I get behind the wheel that no text message is worth my life or — worse yet — someone else’s.

By the end of the article, however, the authors ask an interesting question, “Will these kinds of technologies actually make drivers pay less attention behind the wheel?” They are essentially exploring the extent to which we’re evolving toward a kind of automotive auto-pilot that may instill a false sense of confidence in the driver that the car itself is taking care of them and paying attention — thus absolving the driver of the need to do so.

Essentially the same thing was said about cruise control when it first became an available option — and I have to admit, I’ve never made extensive use of cruise control on any car I’ve driven where the system was present. I’m one of those people who has to have the radio going to stay awake and I actually like having to stay alert and pay attention. Probably of all the emerging technologies, I’m most intrigued by night vision systems and that’s just a consequence of being in middle-age and wearing bifocals.

Will the cars of tomorrow offer more of a “cockpit” like experience and give the driver autopilot capability? Is that even a good idea? Or is it an inevitable evolution of the driving experience? Good food for thought as well as a nice tech read. Highly recommended article.

Visitors to the site find a simple list of vehicles available for sale with an abbreviated listing that includes all the “vitals,” plus price with basic contact information. Click a “see details” link and you’re taken out to a page with a contact form to simplify asking questions direct to the seller. (I also like the fact that the site designers opted to use the CAPTCHA anti-spam system. That’s just a little indication of web savvy that adds online “street cred” in my opinion.)

Not all the image thumbnails link out to larger versions, but some do. It’s a hit or miss process, but I suspect they’re working with what they’re given in that regard. Having said that, I was pleased with the resolution and load speed when I did click out to look at at a vintage 1947 White Firetruck. (Somebody is gonna have a blast restoring that baby.)

In the site’s right-hand column users can register a site membership and links are available to specific categories including: commercial trucks, trailers, and fleet sales (each with an “Add yours!” option) plus links and resources. All in all, UsedTruckListings.com gets a huge thumbs up for clean, down-to-business design and a clear, usable interface. If you’re in the market, this is the site to find used commercial trucks and trailers at cheaper prices offered by hundreds of truck dealers. A+

The following two-minute video (while not a thrilling production), shows how the process would work. It’s oddly reminiscent of a really, really quiet trip through a robo-wash -like procedure.

Green Inc. the New York Times Energy & Environment blog runs down the planned proliferation of these stations in the piece, “Better Place Unveils Battery Swap Station” by Kate Galbraith on May 13. The idea is a new take on the tried and true filling station and would allow electrics to take trips of 100 miles or more while charging up at home when the longer distances are not required. While the fees in these scenario are still somewhat unclear, it’s hard not to feel that this is the right direction for EV “fueling.”

The government is putting its energy — and our money — behind what Energy Secretary Steven Chu called more immediate energy-saving solutions. Tom Welch, a spokesman for the Energy Department, diplomatically summed up the basic issue, “The probability of deploying hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the next 10 to 20 years is low.” Amen. With the problems we’re facing, we don’t have 10 to 20 years.

In all fairness, the fiscal 2010 budget does include $68.2 million for fuel-cell technologies and the Energy Department will pay for research into stationary fuel cells for use in non-automotive applications. The Bush administration poured more than $500 million into fuel cell research, but, as Philip Class, the president of the National Environmental Trust said back in 2003, “This was window-dressing pure and simple.”

Concentrating on developing better battery technology for plug-in hybrids and all-electrics and providing tax credits to both manufacturers and consumers is more on target and will deliver a faster, short-term return on taxpayer dollars. And if fuel cells come along in 10 to 20 years, great. In the meantime, however, we have to do something real and that’s electric.

For that matter, I’m just as attracted to three-wheel alternative electrics like the Aptera that sells for about $40,000. That’s still pricey, but the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act makes a tax credit of $7,500 available to consumers who buy a plug-in EV. Couple that with the money the legislation allocates for research in battery manufacturing (as well as tax credits for building the facilities to do the work) and I’m beginning to see a foundation laid for the infrastructure that will make widespread EV adoption viable.

Right now Americans are dropping a billion dollars a day gassing up their cars. Why? Because there’s a gas station on every corner. Americans who are completely wedded to their personal transportation balk at the limited range of an EV with no way to conveniently juice up their ride during a latte at Starbucks. But this is technology that could free us of our dependence on foreign oil while reducing the emissions that are destroying our environment.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is funded for two years. A lot can happen in that time. All criticism of the Obama administration’s first hundred days aside, this support for EV transportation gives me hope.

Can the two be reconciled? According to Porsche sales chief Klaus Berning, the answer is yes. In discussing the company’s new hybrid Cayene SUV that will appear in the U.S. late in 2010 — to be followed by the gasoline-electric Panamera (a high-performance sedan recently unveiled in Shanghai), Berning had this to say.

“It is clear that the customer in this segment wants this technical solution, which will communicate that they are successful, that I have a sporty car and that I care about the environment. We are planning serious volume.”

Yeah, sounds a little bit more like, “I wanna have my cake and eat it to.” Sorry. Just a station break for cynicism. Here’s the vitals on the Cayenne hybrid:

- nickel-metal hydride batteries
- full-hybrid system allowing for an electric-only mode
- 3.0-liter supercharged V6
- 14 mpg highway, 14 city

Not that impressive? Hence the source of my cynicism. We’re seeing just a few too many hybrids that emphasize style over substance for my taste, but hey, I guess we’ll take progress where we can get it — even when it comes in teeny, tiny little baby steps. I’m still holding out for a Smart ForTwo.

In descending order, the items Mica chose are:

- the key (to lock and unlock the car)
- a key to start the car
- the CD player and changer
- small sunroofs
- instant engine shut off/start
- incandescent light bulbs
- full-sized spare tire
- cigarette lighter
- the internal combustion engine
- the unwired car

As I looked over the items, I couldn’t help but remember:

- cars without power anything
- eight-track tape decks
- vent windows instead of AC
- the choke
- sticking your hand out the window
- the Coke bottle opener on the dash of my Dad’s 1954 Ford truck
- AM radios

Compare my list to his and the difference between available vehicles in roughly 1969 versus 2009 is readily apparent. To me, push button start, Internet onboard, a hard drive in the dash, and anything but a gas guzzling engine under the hood are nothing short of magic. Makes you wonder what we’ll be saying about transportation innovations in 2049. I’ll be 86 then and assuming the Internet has not itself become a Neanderthal construct, I’ll let you know.

- Mercedes-Benz E250 Bluetec concept
- Fisker S concept
- Chevrolet Volt
- Honda FCX Clarity Fuel-Cell
- BMW X6 Hybrid
- GM/Segway PUMA
- Chrysler 2000 EV
- Toyota Prius
- Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
- Mercury Milan / Ford Fusion

In a related post, they singled out the top ten cars period:

- Scion iQ Microcar Concept
- Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept
- BMW X6 M
- Acura ZDX Prototype
- 2010 Volkswagen Golf, Golf GTI
- 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2010 GMC Terrain
- Hyundai Equus
- Volvo XC60
- 2010 Buick LaCrosse

Taken together, it’s an interesting compilation of alternative fuels and form factors. A few two many SUV-esque models for my tastes, but the inclusion of the PUMA a personal transport / neighborhood vehicle concept is stunningly forward thinking.

I have to confess I’m particularly interested by the Ford Transit Connect, which will come over from Europe later this year. I live with a handicapped relative and this baby screams accessibility. It also boasts cellular wireless, 12-inch rear seat displays (10 inch in front) and an RFID locater. It seems an especially good choice for Ford as the company struggles to find the Holy Grail of long-term viability. The look is boxy and futuristic, but the functionality takes the mini van concept up a notch. Very interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing one of these in real life.