Eco-Products 2008: Asking Difficult Questions About Electric Cars
I loved Eco-Products 2008 at Tokyo Big Sight. There was a lot to see, and a record number of visitors this year. Over 173,000 people compared to 164,000 in 2007. Clearly a trend!
Over at Treehugger, I singled out Subaru's electric car, because of the "System Thinking" - a focus not only on the vehicle, but on where the electricity will be coming from. Subaru also showcased its 80/2.0 wind mills to power the products they plan to profit from.
Great electric cars are indeed available today. The question is how people and nations will change the infrastructure to power them.
If you are a Pokemon fan, you may have seen the early 1960s Subaru 360 convertible, a fun car that never made it very big in the US, after Consumer Reports called it unsafe. For the R1e and Stella electric cars, Subaru cites the 360 as an influence. I like that sense of humour, and the reminder that this is a company with small, strong roots. They think the all-electric vehicle could be available to consumers in Japan as early as 2009...
More about Subaru and wind power on Treehugger:
Photos of Subaru R1e Electric Car in New York City
Subaru Joins Electric Car Race with R1e
Better Place Coming To Japan
Wind Helps Power Our Flagging Economy
Wind Power Beats Nuclear & Clean Coal, Other Renewables As US’s Best Energy Option
Comments
Fossil fuels produce two-thirds of Japan's electricity needs with other sources such as nuclear and hydropower making up most of the difference. Renewable energy sources contribution to Japan's electricity needs are almost negligible.
By law, electric power companies must more than double their use of renewable energy sources -- wind, solar, small-sized hydro plants, terrestrial heat and biomass -- to 1.35 percent of Japan's total electricity supply by March 2011.
Wind power is hoped to supply only .2 percent of Japan's power by 2011. So the reality is that Subaru's electric vehicles will be powered nuclear, hydro, and (while it lasts at affordable prices) the gas and oil used to generate the electricity.
........none other but the now
'Flavour of the Season' -"Who killed the Electric Cars!!! This will be defionitely a tell all story for the big Americas....
I ride electric cars whenever I can. They run on rails... They are called "trains" ;)
What we have very little control over right now is the grid. I'm trying to read up on "smart grid" and how we will all have to get used to big changes in how electricity is provided.
In saying that, my understanding, the upswing interest on electric cars was due to the rapid increase of oil prices or am I wrong?
Oh & by the way, The Greenies out here are even promoting other interesting options like 'paddling yr waka' across the shores other than cars,buses or trains.
What an awesome idea!!
Do enjoy a safe Festive seasons & all the best for 2009.