Automakers and environmentalists alike have pinned a lot of hope on the electric car. It is the wave of the future, they tell us, and it is the only way we will ever been weened off of oil. But when can we the average Americans, expect to get behind the wheel of one of these silent, emissions-free vehicles?
According to Ford’s CEO Alan Mullaly in an exchange with Mahalo’s CEO Jason Calacanis at the All Things Digital conference, not anytime soon.
By now, we all know the limitations of electric cars as they stand today; relatively short range, heavy and expensive batteries, and the lack of an electric charging infrastructure. During the questioning of Mullaly, Calacanis interrupts to say that his $110,000 Tesla Roadster gets 240 miles a charge and charges in three hours. I’m willing to believe that (though many media outlets have reported far less range, especially in cold weather).
But Mullaly shoots back that not all Americans live in homes with garages or near electric vehicle charging stations. I know I don’t. And 240 miles is pretty good range, but its not enough for everyone to be sure. And three hours is a long time compared to how long it takes to fill a tank with gasoline. And not everyone can afford a $110,000 two-person coupe either.
Electric cars are coming. But we gotta be patient and make sure we get them right this time.
Source: All Things Digital via AutoBlogGreen
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About Christopher DeMorro
what they should be doing is selling conversion kits for older models, turn then into hybrids or extended electric. but they wont because they make more money selling a whole new car.
what they should be doing is selling conversion kits for older models, turn then into hybrids or extended electric. but they wont because they make more money selling a whole new car.
I was really interested in hearing what Alan Mullaly had to say about Ford’s EV program. Unfortunately, Calacanis kept interrupting him to stroke his own ego.
I’m very interested in the Focus BEV, because I like the styling better than the Leaf. But, Mullaly’s comments lead me to believe Ford isn’t going to have it together. That would be short-sighted, since Nissan and Renault are lining up to dominate the EV market, just as Toyota did with hybrids.
I was really interested in hearing what Alan Mullaly had to say about Ford’s EV program. Unfortunately, Calacanis kept interrupting him to stroke his own ego.
I’m very interested in the Focus BEV, because I like the styling better than the Leaf. But, Mullaly’s comments lead me to believe Ford isn’t going to have it together. That would be short-sighted, since Nissan and Renault are lining up to dominate the EV market, just as Toyota did with hybrids.
another US automaker falling behind the times….
another US automaker falling behind the times….
EVs are going to follow the pattern of the early automobile. Only the well off or environmentally conscious will buy them until something like the Model T comes along and the infrastructure becomes widespread.
EVs are going to follow the pattern of the early automobile. Only the well off or environmentally conscious will buy them until something like the Model T comes along and the infrastructure becomes widespread.
It’s interesting how far we’ve come with a 150+ year old proof of concept. Also remember FORD was one of the firsts when it comes to electric vehicles, so I think he knows what hes doing.
It’s interesting how far we’ve come with a 150+ year old proof of concept. Also remember FORD was one of the firsts when it comes to electric vehicles, so I think he knows what hes doing.
Mullaly is an idiot. Ford will be left in the dust before ya know it. I am hoping that smaller companies like Coda succeed and prosper.
Mullaly is an idiot. Ford will be left in the dust before ya know it. I am hoping that smaller companies like Coda succeed and prosper.
Well I am going to disagree with Ford’s CEO. Maybe it’s not going to happen by next month but it’s going to happen a lot sooner than Ford would like it because obviously they are so far behind their EV competition. Ford may have been the first in the early developments of automobile history but that’s about to change much to their embarrassment.
Well I am going to disagree with Ford’s CEO. Maybe it’s not going to happen by next month but it’s going to happen a lot sooner than Ford would like it because obviously they are so far behind their EV competition. Ford may have been the first in the early developments of automobile history but that’s about to change much to their embarrassment.
PL I agree with you and others here. Ford may be in a euforic trance because of their ability to survive the crunch without bailout. I think it was more of luck then foresight on their part and also the success of the F150.
Electrics will be catch on much sooner before most people suspect it. The foreign competition will do it again as the Japanese auto import did about 40 years ago.
I don’t care for hybrids and I’ll wait for affordable and practical EV. Hybrids are still ICE and all its trimmings.
I don’r care for Edison light bulbs, but I’m learning upon trying that CFL’s are lame, and use them only non living areas; they get dimmer in raltively short time, not cost effective, I rate them at low efficacy.
I’ll skip using them any more until solid state lighting, LED becomes affordable and practical.
PL I agree with you and others here. Ford may be in a euforic trance because of their ability to survive the crunch without bailout. I think it was more of luck then foresight on their part and also the success of the F150.
Electrics will be catch on much sooner before most people suspect it. The foreign competition will do it again as the Japanese auto import did about 40 years ago.
I don’t care for hybrids and I’ll wait for affordable and practical EV. Hybrids are still ICE and all its trimmings.
I don’r care for Edison light bulbs, but I’m learning upon trying that CFL’s are lame, and use them only non living areas; they get dimmer in raltively short time, not cost effective, I rate them at low efficacy.
I’ll skip using them any more until solid state lighting, LED becomes affordable and practical.
Sorry abou the typos. I should have been more careful.
Sorry abou the typos. I should have been more careful.
The hybrid has been with us for a while now, and remains, but has not gone much beyond their niche – unless you count those “status” hybrids like all the Lexuxses [Lexii?] and GMs. The electric will occupy a niche, as well, but don’t expect more than niche status. In other words, Mulally is right.
Ethanol, methanol, butanol, and blends thereof, combined with biodiesel, could take up more of the market until PEV or fuel cells are perfected, but there is so much infighting in the “alternative” and “green” and “carbon-concious” community that we are essentially handing the whole game over to the petroleum companies.
Amazing as it may seem, the most environmentally responsible would rather see us use coal [PEV]and oil than reduce engine size by 30% with fuels made from throwaway surplus and byproducts.
This is sad for the automotive engineers, who know that higher compression, higher efficiency engines like other fuels better than gasoline.
The hybrid has been with us for a while now, and remains, but has not gone much beyond their niche – unless you count those “status” hybrids like all the Lexuxses [Lexii?] and GMs. The electric will occupy a niche, as well, but don’t expect more than niche status. In other words, Mulally is right.
Ethanol, methanol, butanol, and blends thereof, combined with biodiesel, could take up more of the market until PEV or fuel cells are perfected, but there is so much infighting in the “alternative” and “green” and “carbon-concious” community that we are essentially handing the whole game over to the petroleum companies.
Amazing as it may seem, the most environmentally responsible would rather see us use coal [PEV]and oil than reduce engine size by 30% with fuels made from throwaway surplus and byproducts.
This is sad for the automotive engineers, who know that higher compression, higher efficiency engines like other fuels better than gasoline.
Mulally is right. The electric car is still quite a ways off as a mainstream vehicle. There will be people that own them, but they’ll be making lots of sacrifices that others can’t, or aren’t willing to, make. The Volt may catch on but only with people who can afford them. Everyone else will get a hybrid or a smaller car.
Mulally is right. The electric car is still quite a ways off as a mainstream vehicle. There will be people that own them, but they’ll be making lots of sacrifices that others can’t, or aren’t willing to, make. The Volt may catch on but only with people who can afford them. Everyone else will get a hybrid or a smaller car.
This is such b.s. :
“Transportation Statistics and we found that more than 75% of people commute 40 miles a day or less” if you double that number to 80 miles I’m sure we will be able to say 90% of people drive less then 80 miles a day.
It’s all smoke and mirros , the technology exists for over 300 miles a charge.
Even if you can not get over 200 miles to charge , millions of people would love to buy an electric car such as leaf that gets a 100 miles to a charge.
This is such b.s. :
“Transportation Statistics and we found that more than 75% of people commute 40 miles a day or less” if you double that number to 80 miles I’m sure we will be able to say 90% of people drive less then 80 miles a day.
It’s all smoke and mirros , the technology exists for over 300 miles a charge.
Even if you can not get over 200 miles to charge , millions of people would love to buy an electric car such as leaf that gets a 100 miles to a charge.
Yea say godby to FORD BEV !!! Tha is it the BIG OIL is still here !
Yea say godby to FORD BEV !!! Tha is it the BIG OIL is still here !
I think Mullaly is wrong. EVs are going to catch on much faster than people expect, just as the Internet and cell phones caught on faster than TV and telephones. The reason is very simple and obvious. In a few short years (est. 5-10 depending on oil prices) it will be cheaper to purchase, operate and maintain an EV, than an ICE vehicle.
Right now, everyone is hung up on the cost and range of EVs. But, using PCs, cell phones and LCDs as an example, the cost and performance will improve rapidly as production increases. Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan, wanted to lease the Leaf battery because he said the range would double at a much lower cost in the next few years. I believe he’s right.
I think Mullaly is wrong. EVs are going to catch on much faster than people expect, just as the Internet and cell phones caught on faster than TV and telephones. The reason is very simple and obvious. In a few short years (est. 5-10 depending on oil prices) it will be cheaper to purchase, operate and maintain an EV, than an ICE vehicle.
Right now, everyone is hung up on the cost and range of EVs. But, using PCs, cell phones and LCDs as an example, the cost and performance will improve rapidly as production increases. Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan, wanted to lease the Leaf battery because he said the range would double at a much lower cost in the next few years. I believe he’s right.
In the two horse race between Mullaly’s vision and Ghosn’s vision, I’m putting my money on Ghosn. Ford see’s PEV’s as niche utilitarian commercial vehicles. Nissan/Puegot believes there is a hungry group of PEV early adopters for daily driving and tidalwave of demand in the form of slightly more conservative buyers right behind them. Mullaly’s objections are false, I agree with Bret – it will be a cell phone like adoption once products hit the market.
In the two horse race between Mullaly’s vision and Ghosn’s vision, I’m putting my money on Ghosn. Ford see’s PEV’s as niche utilitarian commercial vehicles. Nissan/Puegot believes there is a hungry group of PEV early adopters for daily driving and tidalwave of demand in the form of slightly more conservative buyers right behind them. Mullaly’s objections are false, I agree with Bret – it will be a cell phone like adoption once products hit the market.
the game changer is the aptera, from carlsbad ca.the gas/electic
will get 150mpg………the other game changer is the transonic device,,,and that is happening now. APTERA.APTERA…….
Sounds like he’s trying to hold on to the gas guzzlers. He has to give in eventually.
Sounds like he’s trying to hold on to the gas guzzlers. He has to give in eventually.
He’s looking at it from the consumer demand perspective. There may be many people that would like to help the environment, but bottom line is people are more concerned with convenience. Until people have no choice but to drive one, the majority won’t.
If you know anything about business you would know that it would not be smart to just go all electric, if the demand is not there. That’s why they are doing it little by little. Ford has multiple plans and are developing fuel efficient vehicles.
They have teamed up with Coloumbe Technologies to build 10,000 charging stations, in many different cities, for the upcoming electric vehicles.
Please do your research before you put stupid comments about others.
They know what they are doing that is why they are still around. If you think you know better than send Ford your research and numbers backing it, then maybe they’d consider your info. Or just form your own company, lets see if you do better.
He’s looking at it from the consumer demand perspective. There may be many people that would like to help the environment, but bottom line is people are more concerned with convenience. Until people have no choice but to drive one, the majority won’t.
If you know anything about business you would know that it would not be smart to just go all electric, if the demand is not there. That’s why they are doing it little by little. Ford has multiple plans and are developing fuel efficient vehicles.
They have teamed up with Coloumbe Technologies to build 10,000 charging stations, in many different cities, for the upcoming electric vehicles.
Please do your research before you put stupid comments about others.
They know what they are doing that is why they are still around. If you think you know better than send Ford your research and numbers backing it, then maybe they’d consider your info. Or just form your own company, lets see if you do better.
Mullaly displaying the same old “No Can Do” motto that the big entrenched American automakers continually live by.