Bob Lutz on the Future

[bonnie1194]

I'm speaking from my personal experience, J, what I saw and heard. I'm not just taking pot shots.

- - - Updated - - -

To be clear ...

I heard him speak about how global warming is not real, greatly upsetting an audience.
As the featured speaker, I heard him talk about how the Volt was the right solution and all-electric was not.
I heard him understate the Model S range significantly and overstate the price significantly - to the point you know it was not a mistake.
I watched him avoid even walking by the Fiskers, Leafs, Teslas.

So while you think my comments are without basis or merit, understand that my comments come from a place of disappointment. I thought he was better than that. I was excited he was there, that he was going to speak. Like you, I started from a place of assuming good intent, having seen some of his interviews, etc.

[Doug_G]

I heard him speak about how global warming is not real, greatly upsetting an audience.

Unfortunately for all of us, it is now pretty clear that he is dead wrong.

As the featured speaker, I heard him talk about how the Volt was the right solution and all-electric was not.

I can respect that opinion, in isolation of other details, because there is some case for it. I think the VIA plug-in serial hybrid trucks are the right solution for that particular market segment (fleet trucks etc.). I disagree however about personal transport - full electric is clearly the better route to go in most situations. In these situations it's hard to be sure whether the opinion reflects an honest evaluation of the facts by that individual or whether it is (deliberately or not) self-serving.

I heard him understate the Model S range significantly and overstate the price significantly - to the point you know it was not a mistake.

That pretty much clinches it. If you are confident of your opinion you don't have to exaggerate the facts to make your point. It massively undermines you.

I watched him avoid even walking by the Fiskers, Leafs, Teslas.

That's just plain petty.

[vfx]

... I think the VIA plug-in serial hybrid trucks are the right solution for that particular market segment (fleet trucks etc.).....

Tesla's tease of a possible truck has to have VIA sitting up.

[Doug_G]

Tesla's tease of a possible truck has to have VIA sitting up.

Honestly there's plenty of room in that market for both.

[bonnie1194]

The VIA truck was pretty cool - it had exterior plugs for both 120V and 240V. And that caught the attention of a lot of folks walking by.

[vfx]

The VIA truck was pretty cool - it had exterior plugs for both 120V and 240V. And that caught the attention of a lot of folks walking by.

Power from you car! Where is Tesla with more 12V sockets?

[bonnie1194]

It's like getting a free truck with my portable generator.

[Doug_G]

Like I said, the VIA trucks are pretty cool. I've had the chance to drive an Alpha and a Beta, and have had a ride in a Beta 2. I think VIA has a great future. I just don't think there's any reason to criticize anyone else's efforts (e.g. pure EVs) along the way. There's plenty of room in the market for everyone. The real "enemy" is pure ICE vehicles.

[dpeilow]

I disagree however about personal transport - full electric is clearly the better route to go in most situations.

If money is no object (for the next few years).


Their claim of 15kW @ 30A doesn't make sense.

[Doug_G]

If money is no object (for the next few years).

Yes, in the long run. For "right now" the Volt is an excellent car, no question, and you absolutely made the right decision in buying one.