The Future of Cars

If you’re interested in the connection between transportation, energy, and the environment, you’ll like the recent Bob Edwards Weekend interview with Paul Ingrassia, author of "Crash Course: The American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster."

Ingrassia, who spent 31 years with the Wall Street Journal, talks about the evolution of the auto industry, the bailout packages, and the future of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Ingrassia comments that

“A lot of what’s going to happen with alternative car technologies depends on American federal policy.

You tell me what gas prices are going to be, and I’ll tell you what kind of cars Americans are going to buy.”

Confirming what a lot of us already suspected, Ingrassia says, “Americans have only switched to smaller, more efficient cars, when confronted with gas prices of $3.50 or $4 a gallon or above.  If gas prices drop down to $2 a gallon in the next couple years, I wouldn’t bet on electric cars.”  You can listen to the full  Bob Edwards Weekend interview with Ingrassia at http://podcast.com/episode/49804010/32910/?cp=1125 (audio only).  You’ll learn about the likes of “inverse layoffs,” GM’s restroom segregation system and much, much more!

Or if you prefer video, watch Jon Stewart’s interview with Ingrassia here.   (Skip ahead to about 13:15 for the interview.)

And speaking of what’s going to happen with American transportation policy, try to make tomorrow’s panel discussion at on “Transportation in Connecticut: Strengthening the Federal Investement in Your Ride."  1:30 at Union Station in Hartford.  For further information contact Gloria Mills at gmills.cact@snet.net.