... It’s a compelling vision of an automobile world powered by organic, renewable fuels and by electricity, and it resonates with many in the United States and throughout the world who yearn for a carbon-less future for automobiles. But it is also an ideal that is far removed from what is actually happening. This year, the most well-known hybrid fuel vehicle, the Toyota Prius, celebrated its millionth vehicle sold in the United States and its two-millionth sold internationally. That’s a big number, but in autoland, it is very, very small. U.S. vehicles sales alone have been in the range of 12 million to 14 million cars a year (less in 2009) in the decade plus since the Prius was introduced. Total global hybrid sales are still in the low millions, compared to more than 400 million cars produced globally since 2000. ... All of this adds up to the fact the economics of Cars 2 are an ideal, not a reality. The fact remains that the world’s gas-only cars dominate the market to an extraordinary degree. Yet, the promise of renewable fuels is real. The technologies not only exist but are now marketable at reasonable prices. The enthusiasm for Cars 2 shows that for the generation that is yet to drive, a future of efficient cars using renewable affordable sources of energy is a compelling, exciting vision. Let’s hope that the cars that their parents are still driving and buying don’t make it impossible for those kids to do the same. Read more: The Wishful Environmentalism of Cars 2 | Moneyland | TIME.com
Oddly, I thought about making a post in relationship to Cars 2 which I saw this past weekend. My problem with the article, is I don't necessarily see Cars 2 as promoting a wishful enviromentalism. Infact, my thoughts after viewing it, was that it very much sends a mixed message. Of course we are talking about a childrens animated movie with talking cars? So how serious do you want to take it? ***Spoiler Alert*** But I thought the "message" very ambigous. While ultimately an "alternative fuel source" is championed...and an off shore Oil field is the base of operations for the "bad guys"...simultaneously that "Alternative Fuel" is a component of the evil plot, and the villan is a stereotypical icon of an enviromentally progressive car...in disguise. So in the end? The car that everyone thought was championing a Wishful Enviromentalism...is the bad guy. And the Alternative Fuel? A fake... I did not start a thread, with these ideas, because I hardly am going to take Cars 2 as a platform inwhich I'm going to either advance and idea about enviromentalism or really take too seriously. In the end? If your an adult? You watch and hope to catch some youthful exuberance. If your a child? You enjoy the lights and actions. I don't really feel it necessary to evaluate or analysis a movie based on the premise that Cars can talk, sing and dance, for it's secret political or economic undertones. But I hardly felt that Car 2 was clear in it's ultimate moral or message. In the end? It whimped out. Big Oil? Was Bad...The Car leaking Oil was Bad...The Car that was supposedly electric, and sporting a solar panel...was bad...and the Alternative Fuel...was a weapon of the bad guys.... IMO this wasn't a clear message.
We're a long ways away from that. Even if we had more alternatives that were at the same price point as oil, we have a problem that many of these energy sources are also from carbon. Hydrogen fuel is still only viable with electrolysis....the US has an abundance of coal and it will stay a primary source for electricity without strict regulations.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I think its creator deserves some credit for bringing alternative fuels into the storyline at all. I thought this was just another typical cars flick. Hopefully this will at least raise more awareness and lead to other projects in the future. Never underestimate the power of pop culture. Imagine if Lady Gaga drove a PHEV.
