Ron & Volks;

This topic is sure to "explode" into many facets. All of
them important to someone.  Here's my general comments on a
facet of the discussion that were included in a "Letter to
the Editor" at www.Salon.com  (an E-zine) in response to an
online article about the demise of Honda's electric car.

" Electric cars are niche vehicles and not a broad solution
to vehicle
      pollution or transportation needs. The article
indicated the short-range
      capability of electric vehicles. That limited range
makes them most useful
      for short urban trips.

      Imagine, if you will, a large increase in the number
of these electric
      vehicles on the road. Sure would be quiet; but the
surge in electrical
      power generating needed to recharge their batteries
could be substantial.
      And we all know the inefficiency (max 70 percent) of
our electrical
      generating power plants. So the reduced pollution at
the electric vehicle
      "tailpipe" is somewhat countered by the increased
emissions at the power
      plant "smokestack."

      Diesel-electric hybrids, on the other hand, do create
emission pollutants,
      but much less than with current engine technology.
Diesel-electric's are
      currently moving closer to introduction through a
concerted research and
      development effort by the federal government and the
auto industry, and
      they are likely to be more attractive to consumers
than electric vehicles
      (in functionality and price).

      The electric vehicle is not a "silver bullet" vehicle.
A range of engine
      and TRANSPORTATION (emphasis mine) solutions are the
best bet to help clear the dirty air
      we all breathe."

(This letter was shortened by Salon and does not include the
other engine options such as other hybrid engines (natural
gas) or fuel cells, that are options.)

In the end analysis, if you want to limit pollution, drive
less.

Glad it's Friday, so I don't get slammed for being "long
winded".

- - George Chapman, 91 GL
    Lake Almanor, CA