My Electric Is Parked Out Front

Come on, America, WAKE UP! It appears obvious to me that the future of transportation is not in fossil fuels. We are ruining our environment with air pollution from gas-guzzling cars, and we are certainly at the mercy of the big oil companies when it comes to how we can get around. They have us exactly where they want (and need) us, and they don't want to see any new-fangled inventions coming along to upset their monopoly, thus keeping their bank accounts bloated.

It's about history, tradition, and family businesses that go back generations. It's about immense wealth created through an industry that relies on each one of us to buy the products and services they offer. In short, it's a beautifully framed picture of life the way it has been, and the way they want it to continue to be.

Oil has powered our American economy for nearly a century now, and over that length of time the forces behind it have become something akin to a mighty hurricane like Ike or Katrina, building power through their many decades of expansion and control. We had better stand back and stay out of the way...or else, they presume.

But come on, let's be honest. We have all benefited tremendously from oil. It has enabled us to prosper as a nation, to move around and get to just about anyplace we want to be. Oil and gasoline have been our friends, but they've always had a dark side, and we all know what that is: the pollution, the ever-changing supply and demand problems, the volatile markets, the short supplies and the rising prices, the vast expense and labor it takes to refine crude oil into gasoline and other usable forms of energy. The list goes on. It only makes sense to start looking to other ways to feed our transportation habits. We've been on this roller coaster ride long enough and quite frankly, I'm getting a little nauseated from the rough ride. Let's face it, no matter what happens in the oil industry, we'll still need to get from point A to point B. That's a fact that isn't likely to change--ever.

Wiser heads than mine have been pondering these issues for many years, and we now have some viable alternatives out there just waiting to be given the chance to grow and mature. My personal favorite is the electric car. I've been reading with a lot of interest about the Chevy Volt, scheduled to be on showroom floors by 2010. This is one sleek, sexy auto. Check out the photo. It has immense street appeal from what I've seen. It can apparently go 40 miles between charges, more than enough for the average daily commuter to get to and from work without a re-charge. It has other neat advantages, too. It doesn't pollute, it's incredibly quiet, but the best part is, it needs no gas (or at the very least, only a bare minimum to help keep the batteries charged). From what I understand, any gasoline required for the Volt won't be used to actually propel the vehicle, but solely for reasons of sustaining battery life between charges. Sure, it will have to be plugged in to keep it going, but that can be accomplished with minimal effort by simply plugging it into a wall socket.

If electric cars catch on, almost overnight you'll see charging stations springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm to handle the needs of those who don't park in a garage or driveway, those who must park on city and neighborhood streets at night. I've given that some thought since in my own neighborhood there are many cars that are forced to park on the street due to the lack of driveways and garages. Without the convenience of a garage, I wondered, where will these folks charge their electrics? The mother of invention will take care of that little problem, let me assure you. Whoever is resourceful enough and lucky enough to be first in line with a charging station patent will become incredibly rich on that little invention.

Yes, I am dreaming of driving my first electric car. Sleek and sexy would be my preference, but body style isn't even at the top of my wish list. I really don't care what the thing looks like as long as it's affordable, dependable, and practical. Those are three paramount concerns. And those concerns are at the top of the list when it comes to America's acceptance of an electric car, or any invention for that matter. Besides the production of the vehicle itself, those three items on the list must be wrestled with and conquered before this concept will truly take to the road.

It's a tall order. Very tall. A lot of work lies ahead, but I remain optimistic. The work is already being done, steadily, but surely. I am convinced that it won't be much longer before my dream of owning an electric car will become reality. Mark my words folks, and remember you read it here first; as soon as the before-mentioned three issues are cleared up, and as soon as these cars start appearing on America's roads, everyone will want one, and the growth potential will be astounding. It'll be the biggest phenomenon since the convertible or the two-seater sports car. And the "cool factor" will surpass all other cool factors out there. The latest cell phones and IPods will pale in comparison to the status of being among the first to own one of these beauties. Just you wait. I know what I'm talking about.

I'm a dreamer, I admit it, but all great ideas have their beginnings in dreams. And this is one dream that's closer to reality than you might think. The timing is right and the conditions are favorable for the acceptance of an alternative energy source. I believe the market is out there, practically begging for something different, and the public is sick and tired of the status quo. Yes, a warm reception awaits those who can produce the desired results. Any takers?

Note and followup: Since writing this, the price of gasoline has dropped dramatically, the economy is in the pits, and nobody's buying new cars right now—gasoline or electric. Who would have guessed these things could happen in so brief a period of time.

My dream still holds, though. In time gas prices will rise again and the cry for innovation will trumpet forth. General Motors is still working on the Chevy Volt, promising its debut in 2010. We shall see. Other, more pressing concerns are facing our country at the moment, and the advent of the electric car seems unimportant in comparison to job losses, layoffs, decreasing salaries, and a host of other problems facing all of us. I won't even begin to comment on some of the absurdly stupid acts that have been recently committed, with little or no oversight, and the parsimony of certain individuals is beyond my comprehension.

Sigh....