Of Rising Temps, Food Prices and Riots
It’s the Sequel: “Revenge of the Electric Car”
Coming to a theater – and showroom – near you: “Revenge of the Electric Car.”
Experts are predicting that 2011 will be the year of the electric car, and the British government is playing its part by offering a $7,700 car grant for new owners.
“This is a breakthrough year,” said Chris Paine, director of the documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” that became a cult hit. “In the first time in 90 years, people will actually have a chance to buy electric cars from major carmakers. Tesla, Nissan and GM are first out of the gate and almost every other car company has announced plans to join the race in 2012 and beyond. That’s what makes the next few years so exciting.”
Paine’s documentary was released in 2006 to critical, if not box office, acclaim. His new film, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” will be released later this year and will chronicle the battle for electric vehicle supremacy between Nissan, General Motors and Tesla Motors.
It is Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV that will take center stage in the U.K., though, as it’s the only car initially available under the government’s subsidy. The options should expand to nine to 10 cars by 2012, including fully electric and plug-in hybrids.
The U.K. is not alone in offering incentives for electric cars. The U.S. and China both offer roughly $7,300, Spain $9,300 and France has a $6,500 grant offer.
While the sticker price of most electric cars run a third more than conventional cars, they are far cheaper to run and most have lower insurance premiums. Additionally, as the popularity of electric cars increases, the cost will decrease.
More important, electric cars can help reduce carbon emissions by as much as 40 percent or more, a key part of the equation for the U.K., which has set the bar high for reducing carbon emissions by 2020.
But for Paine’s sequel to be successful, his passion needs support.
“It’s critical that government grants and incentives continue,” Paine said. “Oil has been subsidized for years and that’s allowed it a stranglehold on the economy. For electric cars to really compete it needs help in the first years to get into truly mass production.”