Drive clean for ‘only’ $129,000
Monday, November 16, 2009
I indulge in lottery fantasies from time to time and dream about instantly paying off my mortgage and making sure my kids have enough money to get through university and get them started. But if I found myself with the ‘problem’ of independent wealth, there aren’t too many things on my shopping list – (after world hunger, war and disease are wiped out in the ensuing Utopia).But one stands out as we look to the future for alternative fuels and energy sources for our vehicles and homes: a high-performance electric car from Tesla Motors in the green – but economically anemic – state of California. (I’d look closer to home but Western Engineering’s solar ‘Sunstang’ car isn’t quite at mass production yet).
As my kids would say, “They’re ‘only’ $129,000.” And the $12,000 deposit for a Tesla – which is also the cancellation fee if you don’t go through with the purchase – is not for the faint of heart or credit limit red-liners. There are seven Tesla locations in the U.S. and another set to open in Toronto in 2010. But if you’re really interested, you can preorder one from Toronto Regional Sales Manager Hans Ulsrud (hans@teslamotors.com).
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation hasn’t yet laid out its rules and regulations for electric vehicles on our highways but there are big promises of cash ahead for Ontarians from Premier Dalton McGuinty if you purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle on July 1, 2010 or after. (Likely after July 1 if you want to buy a GM-built Chevrolet Volt that we’re all part owners of now. The release date has been pushed back to mid-November 2010).
The province is calling on all Ontarians to support “an ambitious electric vehicle challenge” that will result in one in 20 passenger vehicles on the province’s roads being electric by the year 2020: “1 in 20 by 2020.” (One in five would be my target).
Some U.S. states like California (now infamous for “killing the electric car” – see documentary of similar name) are further ahead of us here in Ontario. Quebec and B.C. have leapt ahead of us, too. But at least on campus and featured in this issue, Research Western and Western Engineering are leading the way in environmental sustainability and green energy with research into biofuels, solar and alternative energies, and many other initiatives. The recent opening of the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion (“the Green Building”) puts Western at the head of the pack for green technology.
If I only had a ‘spare’ $129,000, I could help the environment, be a leader in new technology in a Tesla and go 0 to 60 mph in four seconds. Until then, a 1996 Camry (and regular oil changes) will have to do.
DAVID SCOTT - dscott24@uwo.ca
P.S. All the best for the holiday season and a great year in 2010.
