http://www.worldcarfans.com/11205284...risis---report

BMW's i sub-brand is reaching a tipping point and the automaker is reportedly considering contingency plans should sales fail to materialize.

According to Automobile Magazine, a number of external factors - including the lack of a recharging infrastructure and austerity moves in Europe (which could result in less EV/hybrid tax credits) - are causing the company to second guess their goal of selling 100,000 i3s and 10,000 i8s annually. Despite the obstacles, BMW is reportedly committed to launching the models because it would cost "billions" to abandon the projects right now. While that's good news for fans of eco-friendly vehicles, the i1 and i5 are rumored to be on ice.

Regardless of what happens, BMW is undoubtedly watching sales of the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and Fisker Karma. These models have all received praise, but have lost some of their momentum after being launched.

 

Why am I not surprised...

Electric cars...blah, humbug, BS, POS.

 

these "Electric cars are so green!" morons ... they never think clearly, to move something, you need power, where is the power coming from ?

Sure burning natural gas/coal/nuclear/water/wind is more efficient than most ICE these days. but does it make sense to build all new infrastructure for it when it's STILL not much greener than using ICE ?

That's why I like Mazda's approach more, just improve what you have on hand

The power grid here is barely enough for our toasters, and they want to use it for cars ?

 

Spot on mate...the same here our power grid is old and decrepit in places, we barely coped with 'recent' explosion of big flat screen TV's (more power), every house has 3, plus 3 PC's, Full Air Cons, and everything else in every bedroom/room.

And they want to charge cars up on the grid too!!...= big Fail..

 

it's so funny that they got couple of those charging station installed in the city (manhattan)

but the utilization rate is ... close to Zero.

Location is one thing, another thing is most of them(if not ALL of them) are located inside some parking garage. it's a pain to spot them(don't even have signs out to tell people ITS HERE), pain to use them(cuz u need to go thru the front and explain to people what you are trying to do) and worst is, it's not cheap.

and it's funny cuz all these tree huggers are still driving Prius and SUV to carry their logos/flags/etc to shows to tell people to go "green" ... not Electric cars.

 

Chicken and egg, guys. In order to move on from fossil fuels, we need to find another way to store energy in the cars and distribute the energy. Nobody will build that infrastructure without having a need for it. Right now it's all an experiment to see what works: hybrids, batteries, natural gas, hydrogen combustion, hydrogen fuel cells. People in the market pick technologies not just because they are practical and make perfect sense in the current world, but because the technology appeals to them on an emotional level. Just like the rotary engine, you know?

 

Do we really need to??...

There was a world conference in my home town of Adelaide and Convention Centre 2 weeks ago, all the leaders who produce Oil, Fuels, Gas, etc, etc. attended.

One guy said we (the world) has consumed just under 20% of known world oil supplies in the past 120 years, he said there is still around 3-400 years of Oil based on current use.