These guys are giving billions to charties, I don't think they should. I think the should invest in new business models(Green Tech and Bio Fuels) and create jobs. What do some of you think?
I agree with Bruce, but there is more... ...Bio-fuels, such as E85, are a waste of money. Yeah there are benefits, like keeping a bunch of farmers busy. I guess that is better than creating more farm subsidies (welfare for farmers). But the mileage is not as good, and it will not be cheaper than gas. Law of supply and demand. Once there is a significant increase in ethanol fuels (due to government regulation), and oil drops in price, the "bio fuels" will increase in price to meet the natural point of demand. What we should be looking at is either other methods of fuel, OR better yet, other methods of propulsion than the internal combustion engine. If we really want to create jobs, we should elect officials that will reduce the tax burden on companies and corporations, resulting in more money spent on capital investment and thus spent on labor.
Free market needs to drive alternative energy. It's a gamble to force donations or government funds to prop up such technology. Look at the Chevy Volt for a great example. About $400 million in tax payer dollars were put into the design and production of this vehicle. A vehicle that costs $41,000.00 and needs 4 hours on a 240 volt plug in order to go 40 miles. I don't think we should force anybody to donate in any particular way. (tho' I'd certainly say something if they were donating to say... Hamas.) However for argument's sake, if I could point their money in any particular direction... it would be donating to children's hospitals and medical research. Those could create jobs and save lives. ..and maybe buying more public land in IL. :D
The bulk of the donations goes to medicine and education. Make, and keep, children healthy enough to learn and become educated. Not sure how you could be more effective for the greater masses.
E85 is a joke. The amount of clean water needed to produce a gallon is ridiculous and the fuel is not efficient as you eluded to. I would like to see more windpower and less coal, that would be a great area to start. There is enough wind in Kansas, Texas and the Dakotas to power the entire grid plus you can produce hydrogen to use in cars if anyone gets a hydrogen car up and moving.
Well some of the above is true, but it takes 110 volt not 240, it takes around 4 hours, but the Volt is an extended range EV. It has a 1.0 gas engine that charges the batteries, all in all the Volt can go over 300 miles. At least when you slam a product, get all the facts, because I will be owning one of these Michigan made gems
It can charge off of 110.... but it takes 8-10 hours to fully charge on the lower voltage. If you wanted a hybrid (gas and electric) you could buy a Toyota Prius or a Nissan Leaf. ........Vehicles that did not cost hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars to develope.
You need to see some of the cool things they are doing with Bio-Fuels, and no farming is required THere is one company that has develope a bacteria who's waste is oil.
So I guess you don't buy cars from companies who got 100 millions of dollars of tax breaks to build them here Or use gas from oil companies who got 100,000 millions of tax dollars?
Perhaps you need a little fact checking as the Volt uses a 120-240VAC residential electrical outlet. The charging cycle is up to 10 hours using a 120 volt outlet, and about 4 hours if you have a 240 volt supply. One must also wonder how well it will run in the Northern area of the U.S. since the battery needs a minimum temperature of between 32 °F and 50 °F to be used. When the Volt is plugged in the battery will be kept warm enough so that it can be used immediately; however, when the Volt is unplugged and the temperature of the battery is below the minimum temperature the gasoline engine will run until the battery warms up. Makes you wonder if you will ever recoup the extra cost versus a fuel efficient 4 cylinder car
The pact made by these billionaires was made before the dems decided they want to end the Bush tax cuts (remember the estate tax?). Guess who loses, when politicians get greedy? Yep....charities.
Go to Volt Nation there is a guy who has been driving one, he charges 220 volt in about Hour and a half. They have the 220 Volt well under the 3 hour mark.
A tax break to a company which creates jobs vs. taking my tax dollars and spending them at Big Brother's whim? Yeah... I'll take giving a company a tax break every time. While I currently drive a Chevy... it will be a cold day in hell before I buy another new one. All of this is exactly why the government needs to go back to just it's constitutional duties and stay out of trying to run/invest/bailout/regulate businesses the way that they do.
I could care less, I plan on ordering a 2011 Ford Explorer for the wife and a 2012 Mustang GT. I'm gonna burn gas while I can
Oil companies do not get tax breaks, neither do farmers as Mad pointed out. Why are you still using gas? This is your logic not mine Those people who work on the Volt have jobs, so if I understand this correctly. If ILL says hey we are going to give you a tax break of 100,000,000 dollars to build a plant you are good, but if they gave them 100,000,000 to build a plant you are not. Either way we are out 100,000,000
