Archive for the ‘transportation’ category

Tesla IPO Hopefully Can Boost New “Green” Economy

November 23rd, 2009

From Fox Business:

“Tesla Motors, maker of luxury-all-electric cars, is reportedly planning a stock offering. If the sale occurs, Tesla would be the first U.S. car company to issue shares since Ford Motor Co. in 1956.”

This is very exciting news. Not necessarily from an investment standpoint (it will likely be a while before pure electric car companies can prove to investors they have a sustainably profitable business model), but from an innovation point of view. The United States needs to promote the future of a “green” economy, not just to reduce oil imports, but even more importantly to generate a new force that can produce job growth, much like the advent of the Internet has already done. I hope Tesla has a successful IPO, as it may provide a psychological boost for other entrepreneurs out there who would like to get the “green” ball rolling.

United Airlines: How Not To Run An Airline

November 16th, 2009

I came across this article by John Battelle over on Business Insider and thought I would share it with everyone. I am a loyal Southwest customer so I have managed to avoid the crazy complicated (and irrational) dynamic pricing algorithms that many of the major carriers use. Hopefully there are not too many United shareholders out there reading this…

Thanks For Flying United. Please Give Us All Your Money

Chevy Volt Could Get 230 Miles Per Gallon

August 11th, 2009

This seems like the kind of thing that could get more people into GM showrooms and help them recapture lost market share, even if most consumers do not purchase the new Chevy Volt, due out in late 2010.

According to an Associated Press story today GM announced that the Chevy Volt rechargeable electric car should get 230 miles per gallon in city driving, more than four times the mileage of the current mileage leader, the Toyota Prius.

From the story:

“The Volt is powered by an electric motor and a battery pack with a 40-mile range. After that, a small internal combustion engine kicks in to generate electricity for a total range of 300 miles. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet.”

Despite a hefty initial price tag (expectations are ~$40,000), the car could still be cost effective. Why? According to the story, “If a person drives the Volt less than 40 miles, in theory they could go without using gasoline.”

If we want to reduce our use of foreign oil in a meaningful way, this is exactly the kind of innovation that could do it. Not only will less of our money go to the Middle East region, but we will be reducing pollution and Americans will be able to keep more money in their pockets by saving on the cost of gas. Count me as very much looking forward to the launch of more electric cars in the United States.