Electric cars, a fad and its own demise?

I didn't exactly suggest that.

yeh but you still win a truckload of mesquite wood

Only thing to do with that is sell it North.

Swapping batteries obviously would require an all new approach to design with some international agreements between car manufacturers...I merely pointed out it can be done...

It is done. It's faster than recharging a battery. But I still have qualms about these electric batteries when considering pollution numbers and practicality (miles that can driven on a single charged battery).

"It can be done" is certqinly not a reason tht it OUGHTQ be done.
Economically the places where swap out batteries would be located would have to be based upon existing infrastructure. How do you get a battery to a guy who just ran dead in East Jabip?

I should have clarified that it is done in a place, in that the idea has been brought forth to reality.

Changing the current infrastructure is always the biggest expense and the biggest road block.

yep, but then that was always the case whatever tech revolution we think off....I agree with you regarding the nasty pollution batteries can do not to mention the fossil sources for the juice itself...tricky !

I still say

If you want an electric car or a plug in hybrid, then you must invest in the tech (like a solar power 0.5Kv charger system) AND, you must limit the use of that vehicle within its proscribed range per unit time.

Until we have the nationwide infrastructure that can handle uninterrupted power changeouts or quick charging, these types of vehicles will be marginal.

Plug-in hybrids seem like a neat idea if the entire concept of "INDOMITABLE POWER" is fushed from the mind of US males.

I'm not super keen on plug-ins, but I guess it's a possibility. I do remember not buying a Cd player because there weren't that many CDs. There weren't many CDs because there were so few CD. When the economy and the technology come together (if), it could happen quickly.

With the current oligarchy-like corps, they'll make sure and try very hard to make sure that technology and economy doesn't come together, unless there is a benefit in it for them.

...you mean a technology to screw technology gains...that one evolves faster then light...
...what do you think science fiction is good for ?

You mean like that 100mpg carburator they supressed back in the 30s?

One thing, though; when you see Exxon taking a major position in batteries and fuel cells, you know which way to bet.

After the Da Vinci code the next big book will involve a conspiracy with Jules Verne and the industry...

That 100mpg carburetor is a myth.
http://www.snopes.com/autos/business/carburetor.asp

I suppose you are thinking I was unaware of that.

I just stated it in surprise, cause I believed that myth, until a friend explained it to me recently.

I see. I was inspired by this:



It seemed like you were into too many conspiracy theories, so I pointed out the most obviously failed theory.

There was an intersting interview on the radio today with a gentleman who alleges that electric cars are not, in fact, "friendlier" to the environment than gasoline powered cars. He pointed out the pollution of the electric generating plants upon which they rely, and that they use light-weight alloys which are far more polluting in production than the steel of standard automobiles. He also said that most gasoline powered cars which are heavily polluting are only heavily polluting because they are poorly maintained.