Posted by
Catmman on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:22:32 AM
Here's the insanity of the enviro-wacko in full WTF mode!!!
First the cost of this "green" technology:
The experiment sounded so grand three years ago: The Valley Transportation Authority and SamTrans would test three buses that run on hydrogen fuel cells, emit no smog-inducing pollutants and help keep the valley's air clean.
Green, yes. But a new report from the VTA says the $18 million state-mandated pilot project costs too much green - and raises troubling questions about whether the program should continue.
The most glaring figure: Zero-emission buses - or ZEBs - cost $51.66 to fuel, maintain and operate per mile compared with just $1.61 for a 40-foot conventional diesel coach. They break down much more frequently, and replacement parts are next to impossible to order, according to the report.
But the VTA's early results are not encouraging. Although the cost of a new hydrogen-fuel-cell bus has fallen from about $3.5 million to $2.5 million, a diesel coach costs about $400,000. And ZEBs have on average traveled 1,100 miles before needing repairs in the VTA trial, while a typical diesel bus covers about 6,000 miles.
If you were a business or running a government, would you see any cost benefit to all the expense with nothing really in return? Of course not. It's insane. The buses cost 5-6X as much as a regular diesel; they cost 50X as much per mile; and as explained they break down and there aren't spare parts for them yet. Easy decision to stop this program and wait until the technology is more cost effective right?
Wrong:
But the California Air Resources Board is poised next year to launch a $36 million second phase of the hydrogen program, adding 12 more buses in the Bay Area and expanding it to include Golden Gate Transit.
Analifa Bevan with CARB said her agency "is not considering any changes," pointing out that the VTA experiment involves early prototypes and that the next generation of buses will be more reliable and "cheaper to operate than diesel."
AC Transit in the East Bay has operated hydrogen-hybrid buses for two years, ones that also use electrical batteries to help cut hydrogen fuel costs and provide a smoother ride and easier acceleration and braking, much like in hybrid cars. Officials at the agency are sold on the program.
"Our experience is pretty positive," said Jaimie Levin, director of alternative fuels policy and marketing with AC Transit. "These vehicles aren't cheap, but the technology is far simpler than the internal combustion engine and it keeps getting cheaper, lighter and more powerful. That's a given."
You see? It's not about common sense. It's not about the taxpayers or the "citizens". It's not even about the environment.
A director of f'ing marketing even knows it isn't worth the cost. All that matters is that it's "positive". It's about the issue. How can the government control. They begin with what they have direct access too - public transportation. And in most places public transportation has been an adject failure anyway. how many times have you seen a city bus full? Most of the time there are two or three people in them right? Yet city and state governments continue to pump billions into it everyyear. With the money spent, these governments could probably BUY those without a new car AND pay for their gas for years.
It doesn't matter if it works. It doesn't matter how much it costs. It doesn't even matter that with the expense, there really isn't a NEED.
All that matters is the issue itself and how it makes people FEEL.
"See, we're doing something".
That's all that matters.