3 years ago, the company didn't even build cars. GM has had nearly 100 years experience. Chinese cars are coming, and it seems to me that a plug-in like this could be the beachhead that they need to gain acceptance among US consumers. And strike fear in the hearts of the big 3. Remember, Toyota and Honda started building cheap economy cars, as kid Kia and Hyundai. All have proven to be forces in the market. BYD could be next, and it's interesting to note the Warren Buffet has invested.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/byd-f3dm-electric-plug-in-hybrid-china.php

Ocean fertilization may cause changes in marine ecosystem structure and biodiversity, and may have other undesirable effects.

While controlled iron fertilization experiments have shown an increase in phytoplankton growth, and a temporary increase in drawdown of atmospheric CO2, it is uncertain whether this would increase carbon transfer into the deep ocean over the longer-term.

I've posted before about geo-engineering, and it's potentials, and my fears about it getting out of control. Turns out many others feel the same way.

That really puts the risk in context. We're talking about altering ecosystems of planetary scale for a benefit that won't actually relieve us from dealing with all the other issues, such as conservation or alternative energy generation.

Good article over at Treehugger

As an environmentalist and a car guy, I love any excuse to post about cars here. I don't think the Tesla will ever make a meaningful impact on the global environmental situation. For $100K, someone that really cares about the environment could by 5 Honda Fits. One to drive and 4 to give to 4 drivers less fortunate than them, to use in place of the old, polluting cars they drive currently.

That said, it's a seriously cool piece of automobile, and I would love to drive one. And technology does have a way of trickling down. At one point, cars like Corvettes introduced fuel injection, and now there isn't a car sold in the US without it. The Tesla may prove to be useful as a platform for technology development, and for that, it is cool.

And Top Gear is the best car show ever. Seriously.


Tesla apparently has issues with some things in the report, check out the AutoBlogGreen report on that.