We May Have Fuel Alternatives, But Who Will Make Them a Reality?
I read Dan Neil’s piece on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV, technology with great interest (“Running on Empty,” Special Auto Issue, July 17). But there are two significant barriers to this technology--or any other fuel alternative, for that matter--becoming a reality.
First, any alternative fuel solution and/or technology has to be economically affordable to the masses, and not just those with high incomes. Second, and most important, both the White House and American car companies must have a strong motivation to support the development of alternative fuel/clean-emission cars. Sadly, the Bush administration doesn’t have the will to get together with car manufacturers to address this economic and environmental problem. Until that day comes, we will continue to talk about technology that is present but is not being put into production.
Mark Thompson
Simi Valley
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Is hybrid technology solving two major energy-related problems? The first is our dependence on foreign energy sources. A significant fraction of our crude oil comes from countries that we would consider hostile or downright enemies if we were not dependent on their oil. Does switching from gasoline to electricity reduce consumption? Does driving hybrid vehicles reduce the number of barrels of oil we need to import?
The second issue is pollution. Are we simply replacing the exhaust pipes of gasoline-powered vehicles with power plant stacks located elsewhere? Are we reducing or increasing our emissions of pollutants? The issue of driving hybrids is more complex than doing a simple test drive to measure miles per gallon. Someone should do the math and assess whether hybrids (or other forms of efficient vehicles) have a real impact on the big picture of this country’s energy problems.
Nahum Gat
Manhattan Beach
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Dan Neil mentions a concern that if the electricity to run electric vehicles comes from the power grid, and if that power is produced by burning dirty coal, then there could be little or no environmental gain in switching from petroleum to electric-powered cars. I live in a house where solar panels on the roof generate electricity that could be used to power my 2004 Prius, were it reconstituted to be a plug-in hybrid. It’s a shame that more folks don’t install solar electric panels for their homes.
Ben Zuckerman
Los Angeles
