Before you all get out your tomatoes, let's make this a bit clearer.
The idea isn't a bad one. Of course we only have a finite amount of resources and as emerging markets become properly developed the take rate of autos only will grow. You don't have to be a math wizard to figure out that the greater the strain, the quicker resources will be drawn down.
We have nothing against the vision of a greener fleet of cars and better efficiency. We can dig efficient products like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight for what they are.
But we do have something against the execution of most other green products though. Electric vehicles haven't exactly broken that 100 mile barrier on a single charge and even that's a stretch most of the time. Read the FINE print folks: depends on weather and driving style. And imagine how much fun it will be if the battery starts depleting over time?
While cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight aren't exactly a blast to drive, they are cheap and they get over 40 mpg without having to try -- not even a little bit.
SO, why even BOTHER with $40,000 PLUS electric vehicles? If you work out the numbers you need YEARS until you reach your break-even point. Considering that no one knows what they'll be worth in several years, is it really worth it?
Realistically, until there is a revolutionary change in battery technology it's essentially pointless to own one of these products.
What say you, Spies?