Man, it is a scary time for a car lover right now. I sometimes think in horror of what it must have been like to live with the bastardication of the automobile during the smog control error of the 70's.
Right now is just as uncertain. High fuel costs, hefty CAFE regulations, the potential for carbon rationing, all are really ominous harbingers of the death of the automobile as we know it. Hope, however, does reign in some areas.
The Tesla sports car, while an overpriced science experiment, at least gives a small glimpse of powerful alternative powered transportation.
The Chevrolet Volt, while being done purely for fuel economy, is the best hope. The fact that it is a serial hybrid and not a parallel hybrid leaves alot of room for possibility. The electric motors could be switched out, batteries could be boosted, alternative regenerative motors could be developed. It could be the first truly modular car platform.
The potential for switching in and out new technology as it becomes available offers a truly exciting world where the aftermarket can be allowed to dream.
Imagine being the first hot rodder to come up with something completely orginal that has not been done before. How about a high output capacitor to boost accelleration temporarily. Some electrical engineering geek will become the next Hennessy or Saleen. It is only a matter of time.
So as the old saying goes, it is always darkets before the dawn. The dawn could be spectacular.
Friday, October 3, 2008
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