It's Not necessarily an easy promise to make come true, but Barack Obama has promised that, if elected, the entire Whitehouse fleet will be Plug-in hybrids (as security permits.)
It's not a world changing policy, but it is pretty darned cool. There's no doubt that plug-in hybrids will come to market, but they will come to market faster with a hand from government, not just with money, but with marketing.
This kinda reminds me of Carter's placement of solar panels on the roof of the Whitehouse. It's something the President can decide uniltaterally and have congress fund the relatively small spending without much fuss, but it's a vote of confidence in environmental policy from the most powerful figure in America, and that's something that I'd love to see.
Thanks to Karl for the tip.
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written by Keith_Indy, October 16, 2008
The President and every state governor, could do the same for every vehicle in the governments fleet.
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written by MarkR, October 16, 2008
While its a nice gesture. I'm sure its as bogus as the words coming out of his mouth about working together with Republicans. I don't trust anything the man says. I can't see any situation that security would permit electric cars for the prez. Just think about it, a tank that is built to look like a caddi or other US vehicles but weighs about 8 times as much, how much juice would it take to push that around the block? Much less haul his bonny carcass around.
As McCain pointed out last nigh "pay attention to his words" OK? Sounds to me like nObama is planning on driving electric golf carts around the Whitehouse lawn and on the golf course. Because that's about the only way security would let him get away with it.
As McCain pointed out last nigh "pay attention to his words" OK? Sounds to me like nObama is planning on driving electric golf carts around the Whitehouse lawn and on the golf course. Because that's about the only way security would let him get away with it.
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written by Joel Kuipers, October 16, 2008
This is good news. I'd like to see energy become the focus of his administration. It would have far reaching implications for jobs, national security, perhaps indirectly for health and education.
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written by Joe The Plumber, October 16, 2008
I think this is quite a good idea. MarkR I must say it is unfortunate you know nothing about the fleet of vehicles that are in use at the White House. I am sure the statement 'as security permits' refers to the presidential limo. The White House fleet vehicles that could be plug-in hybrids would include maintenance, Secret Service, couriers and even vehicles for other dignitaries that may be visiting the finest mansion in this nation. Also, I think it is more prudent to believe that John McCain has a higher likelihood of serving as 'first carcass' should he be elected.
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written by Ken Roberts, October 16, 2008
I believe MarkR is correct. Those vehicles are armor-plated and require significant horsepower to escape potential threats. Perhaps they have some that are just regular vehicles, but I doubt these will be prominent, because the President and other high ranking individuals surely won't be riding in them.
If they do get armor-plated hybrids, they'll probably just attach an insignificant electric motor to a 5.7 Liter engine. So lets quit licking Obama's balls over what is obviously a PR stunt.
If they do get armor-plated hybrids, they'll probably just attach an insignificant electric motor to a 5.7 Liter engine. So lets quit licking Obama's balls over what is obviously a PR stunt.
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written by Jacob, October 17, 2008
Surely A Chevy Volt would have enough horse power to cart around armour plating, after all, it can carry more energy than a gasoline vehicle, and has a gasoline engine equipped. I think plugins are the perfect car for the government, because every trip is planned, and they have chauffers, there is no risk of being caught out with a dead battery, since it can just be driven to a charging station.
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written by hendu, October 17, 2008
No way the president is going to ride in a hybrid for the reasons listed above, but the white house fleet caries a lot more than the president (obviously). I hope he brings back the solar panels, I'm still pissed Reagen took those things down, what an a-hole.
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written by Clinch, October 17, 2008
Is he planning on just scrapping all the current cars and replacing them with electric cars? Because (as previously discussed) scrapping a car before the end of its lifetime, and replacing it with a "greener" vehicle is actually worse than letting a car naturally come to the end of it's life, and then replacing it.
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written by ged, October 17, 2008
Christ who gives a shit if the Washington Fleet is electric. It shoudl damn well be the other way around. Make the US have electric cars. Who gives a flying fuck if the pricks in Washington have electric cars.
The US is so arse about tit as they say
The US is so arse about tit as they say
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written by RhapsodyInGlue, October 18, 2008
Why does everyone seem to think there would be a problem with a hybrid drivetrain for the Prez limo? As we've seen from the likes of Lexus, hybrids can be used to provide for some pretty impressive performance. It makes perfect sense to use regenerative braking for such a heavy vehicle and then use really torquey electric motors to launch the limo like a dragster. Take that Putin.
Having said that, I'm not sure this sort of gesture really helps, as witnessed by Carter and his solar panels. A wider government mandate, not born of a campaign promise, would be much better for numerous reasons. This gesture is likely to end up being perceived as a partisan stunt and thus the next switch of parties in the white house would bring a highly publicized, ritualistic crushing of the evil liberal cars.
Having said that, I'm not sure this sort of gesture really helps, as witnessed by Carter and his solar panels. A wider government mandate, not born of a campaign promise, would be much better for numerous reasons. This gesture is likely to end up being perceived as a partisan stunt and thus the next switch of parties in the white house would bring a highly publicized, ritualistic crushing of the evil liberal cars.
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written by cmaceachen, October 18, 2008
Why does everyone seem to thing the White House fleet consists of only the presidential limo and a few security vehicles? The white house staff is huge. Any person who has to get somewhere once in a while uses a car. When security isn't a concern, there's no reason hybrid couldn't be used. I'd imagine the White House fleet is quite large and this is a good gesture.
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written by Clinch, October 19, 2008
It's not that every one thinks the fleet only consists of the presidential car, it's just that it's the most important car from a publicity standpoint (having that made electric would have a much bigger impact than making any [or possibly all] of the other cars electric).
But as the Presidential car is custom made, they can probably use the latest in ultra-light armour plating, and highest efficiency available electric motors etc. so that it could be electric, without being a security problem.
But as the Presidential car is custom made, they can probably use the latest in ultra-light armour plating, and highest efficiency available electric motors etc. so that it could be electric, without being a security problem.
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written by TinaW, October 23, 2008
I agree with MarkR, I dont beleive a thing he says either. Have they even found proof of his citizenship yet?!? Not to mention he's even less a patriot, is he a Christian or a Muslim, I don;t care which, I just dont like liars. THe hybrid vehicle is a good idea but who's gonna pay for that?! Taxes?? KMA Obama!
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written by Heather, October 23, 2008
I think it's a great idea and as a society we need to start taking better care of our environment. If we don't pay for it now, we will just continue to add to our problems, and KEEP paying for it for the next generations to come- I actually don't think all politicians are just outright lying, there are just so many roadblocks that they are unable to fulfill their ideas- As for bashing either candidate is just a waste of time and only hurts our country. Oh, I am not a liar but I practice buddism and consider myself also as a Christian, it is no ones business when it comes to personal beliefs. The anger and judgement are not healthy for the planet- Peace to it.. :-*
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written by questioneveryone, October 26, 2008
i think the questions raised about both candidates is healthy, but i think we should be pleased that whichever one gets elected, the nation will have a better president than it has had the last 8 years. as for this issue, i don't think it should need to be offered up by a candidate, because i think the government should be mandated to purchase eco-friendly vehicles for its fleet when it is time to replace vehicles, and not just in washington. think of every government vehicle you see driven. the military recruiters as an example. no security threat there as they drive from their office to a school to sign up your kid. as for the cost of the vehicles, a hybrid vehicle is cheaper than what sarah palin's fashion advisor makes in a month. :)
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written by Patrick, October 29, 2008
It doesn't matter what Obama would drive. If he's elected his corporate taxes will bring high inflation and unemployment.
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written by Electron, October 29, 2008
Is it about Obama, or about the symbol of using a hybrid drive for official vehicles ?
This is not a political blog, let's focus on the topic.
Since electric motors have much better low RPM torque than same power gas motors, it makes them very good candidates to provide higher acceleration in case of a security threat.
Carter's photocell did not trigger widespread adoption since it was too early, and producing electricity that way was not cost effective at all. Reagan decision sent a disappointing signal, but made sense as the panels certainly did not produce much and were of no practical value at the time.
Today the situation has changed quite a lot, and both the use of hybrid cars and photovoltaic panels at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue would be timely and inspirational.
This is not a political blog, let's focus on the topic.
Since electric motors have much better low RPM torque than same power gas motors, it makes them very good candidates to provide higher acceleration in case of a security threat.
Carter's photocell did not trigger widespread adoption since it was too early, and producing electricity that way was not cost effective at all. Reagan decision sent a disappointing signal, but made sense as the panels certainly did not produce much and were of no practical value at the time.
Today the situation has changed quite a lot, and both the use of hybrid cars and photovoltaic panels at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue would be timely and inspirational.
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written by crocketman, November 06, 2008
Who Killed the Electric Car?
I as well do not care what car the Pres & gov't have - but I do care that gov't finally makes strides & provides favoring good support policies for new companies like Tesla, Aptera, etc. Let the Big 3 do a big change or otherwise die. If no good policies are made - the only choices will be to buy electric cars from China or India or who knows maybe Indonesia. Quality & innovation lacking ? - probably.
I as well do not care what car the Pres & gov't have - but I do care that gov't finally makes strides & provides favoring good support policies for new companies like Tesla, Aptera, etc. Let the Big 3 do a big change or otherwise die. If no good policies are made - the only choices will be to buy electric cars from China or India or who knows maybe Indonesia. Quality & innovation lacking ? - probably.
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written by franklin, January 14, 2009
i think that is a good idea, now we don't need any more gas and no more carbon dioxide
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