7) Plug-in hybrids: costly solution given the benefits; battery technology still needs development.
8) Purely-electric cars: attractive solution for mainstream consumers; range is still an issue due to low-capacity batteries; potential distribution problems for both individual users and society as a whole.
9) Hydrogen fuel cells: Under development (being fleet tested by the FCX Clarity, Bienenfeld's "baby"); expensive technology; inexistent distribution infrastructure.
Hybrids: THE solution... for now
Among these nine solutions, Robert Bienenfeld claims that hybrids are the most viable one right now considering their relatively-low assembly costs and their significant social and environmental impacts. There again, they are only one part of the whole solution. Regional disparities could make other solutions more applicable.
Naturally, Honda Canada's executive vice president, Jerry Chenkin, is backing him. The pragmatic British native isn't shy to admit that his company had previously neglected one important detail, which has nothing to do with the environmental stuff Mr. Bienenfeld talked about.
"Typical hybrid buyers are proud of their choice and they want to make a statement," explains Chenkin. "This implies that a hybrid must look and feel different than any other car. However, that's not the case of the Civic Hybrid. The Insight, on the other hand, is unmistakable at first glance!"
The VP is extremely confident about Honda Canada selling 5,000 Insights in 2010. "The only obstacle I can see would be gas prices dropping or remaining at a level deemed acceptable by most consumers," he says. "In that case, they could revert to their old habits. You know, consumers can be strange at times. Anytime fuel prices rise, they rush toward subcompact cars and hybrids, but as soon as prices drop and remain steady for a while, they start buying large vehicles again."
One only needs to look at the recent decrease in Prius sales south of the border for confirmation. Another cause-and-effect syndrome, I guess. Will the success of the 2010 Honda Insight (and other green cars) be dependent on a new gas hike? We shall see.
photo:Luc Gagné
8) Purely-electric cars: attractive solution for mainstream consumers; range is still an issue due to low-capacity batteries; potential distribution problems for both individual users and society as a whole.
9) Hydrogen fuel cells: Under development (being fleet tested by the FCX Clarity, Bienenfeld's "baby"); expensive technology; inexistent distribution infrastructure.
Hybrids: THE solution... for now
Among these nine solutions, Robert Bienenfeld claims that hybrids are the most viable one right now considering their relatively-low assembly costs and their significant social and environmental impacts. There again, they are only one part of the whole solution. Regional disparities could make other solutions more applicable.
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| The interior layout of the new Insight is just as futuristic as the exterior! |
Naturally, Honda Canada's executive vice president, Jerry Chenkin, is backing him. The pragmatic British native isn't shy to admit that his company had previously neglected one important detail, which has nothing to do with the environmental stuff Mr. Bienenfeld talked about.
"Typical hybrid buyers are proud of their choice and they want to make a statement," explains Chenkin. "This implies that a hybrid must look and feel different than any other car. However, that's not the case of the Civic Hybrid. The Insight, on the other hand, is unmistakable at first glance!"
The VP is extremely confident about Honda Canada selling 5,000 Insights in 2010. "The only obstacle I can see would be gas prices dropping or remaining at a level deemed acceptable by most consumers," he says. "In that case, they could revert to their old habits. You know, consumers can be strange at times. Anytime fuel prices rise, they rush toward subcompact cars and hybrids, but as soon as prices drop and remain steady for a while, they start buying large vehicles again."
One only needs to look at the recent decrease in Prius sales south of the border for confirmation. Another cause-and-effect syndrome, I guess. Will the success of the 2010 Honda Insight (and other green cars) be dependent on a new gas hike? We shall see.
photo:Luc Gagné
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