Unsafe at Any Price: Building the New ‘People’s Car’
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.24.08
We said about the Tata Nano: "Henry Ford unleashed a revolution that changed our world and gave us mobility, but at what price. Now we get to watch the rerun." Brendan Smith, Tim Costello and Jeremy Brecher write at CommonDreams and report all the negative coverage from around the world, but were forced to admit "Of course there is deep hypocrisy in developed countries criticizing the driving habits of the developing world." They quote Michael Renner of the Worldwatch Institute:
remember who has driven the planet to the edge of the climate abyss. People in Western countries and Japan–less than 15 percent of the world’s population–own two-thirds of all passenger and commercial motor vehicles in the world. Although they are rapidly expanding their fleets, India and China, with a third of the world’s population, so far account for only about 5 percent of vehicles. In 2005, China’s ratio of motor vehicles to population was at about the level the United States had reached some 90 years earlier. India’s ratio is less than half that of China.
They come to the inevitable conclusion:
The original people's car
Today, the real task is not to create a “people’s car” but a “people’s transport system”. Addressing the climate crisis requires entirely new approaches to moving people and goods–one not based on cars and trucks. The US created an automobile culture during the 20th century at enormous long term costs. The automobile brings with it not just greenhouse gas emissions but an entire infrastructure that is devastating to the social and natural environment–roads, the oil industry, urban congestion, and suburban sprawl. It’s a system the US and other rich countries now must transform and one which the developing world can still avoid."
They conclude:
Public policies and new technologies should be directed at developing the least polluting mode of transport at each scale of distance. That means promoting walking and biking, especially in cities; building new and better public transit systems; and revitalizing intercity rail for both passengers and freight.
Shifting to a climate friendly transportation system is daunting task. But there is a big payoff and not just in cleaner air: in a world in need of decent jobs, it is a challenge that can provide millions of people throughout the world with employment for decades to come. ::Commondreams
Do as we say not as we do. That's going to be a tough message to sell to the "have-not" population. (Which is why the "have" population won't give it up without a cheap and seamless replacement)
From what I have seen third world countries do just that. From buses that are fully packed, and have people on the roof, to families of 4 riding the same scooter. Do you really think that they are not going to continue to do the same with cars?
Where is the technology, not to mention the money, to build anything except roads, IC powered cars, and such? If America with its $billions can not afford to do it, how can any other country?
Can any one show me a city that has efficent and effective public transportation? Is there any viable and avalible alternitive to a gas or diesel power car for a family of 4 to use? In the US it cost more and takes longer for me to take an Amtrack train across the state (250 miles) then it does if I take my minivan. If I have to take my family of four it cost $240 to take Amtrack... and then I have to rent a car to get around. If I take public transportation it takes 2 hours for me to get to work, but it only takes 20 minutes by car. These are the reasons we do not use mass transportation.
Once it is done it can be duplicated... but till then we are just spinning our wheels.
Wauw, first time I see an actual photo of the TATA car. I assume it is he one for 2.500 USD? If so, then it looks very good and absolutely as a real car. Am sure that within 3 years that they will sell a car that cost maybe 500 USD more but which have a little better quality and durability.
I'm tired of hearing about why the "little brown people" can't have what we have. I want to know how we can give it to them faster and cleaner.
At last an affordable new car that I can convert to electric, I can sell the ICE to offset the cost of the electric motor and batteries.
It would have beeen better, if they could produce an electric version for the same price.