Gary Krysztopik via EV wrote:
One of the problems is that people expect one vehicle to be able to do everything (except be fuel efficient). That's why we have so many huge SUV's - 4x4 in case it's needed, tow capacity just in case, 7 passengers just in case, and we've created monsters that have made it unsafe to drive small vehicles. The new idea is right-sized vehicles, last-mile vehicles and mobility as a service. All the big guys are putting out electric vans that can do the big stuff but are way overkill for the majority of around town deliveries and will be very expensive. This little van is supposed to fill the space inbetween. "Better is the enemy of good enough". Not for everybody but it will suit many (we hope).
Indeed, most people's vehicle expectations are not entirely rational. Advertising and marketing shamelessly encourage this.
But it's important to note that not *everyone* goes this way. There are people who choose their vehicles for objective, rather than emotional reasons. They choose based on economics, or availability, or how well it fits their actual needs. This creates a market niche that a small company could fill.
Consider... For many years, the big automakers have been unwilling to provide "special" vehicles. You buy their standard mass-produced models; or nothing. If you wanted a dump truck, or school bus, or RV, or fire truck, or ambulance; tough! Buy their standard vehicle, and convert it. Of course, that is more expensive! Thus we got Caterpillar, Blue Bird, LaFrance, Checker cabs, etc. It's a much harder road to take; but many of these companies were successful to varying degrees.
The challenge today is that regulations are tilted heavily toward the big automakers, and against any small manufacturers. It's a mighty steep barrier to anyone trying to start a new Caterpiller, or Blue Bird bus, or Checker cab company today. Creating something like the Sebring Vanguard CitiCar today (which Bob Beaumont did for under $1 million) would today take over a billion $!
Lee Hart -- If happiness is on your mind, here's a daily list to find: - something to do - something to look forward to - someone to love - someone to take good care of - and misbehave, just a little -- Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
