SUV loving, EV hating from the Telegraph Newspaper. (again)

*Sigh*
It had to happen didn’t it? If you’re an electric vehicle enthusiast you’re used to being moaned about and told that your green vehicle will kill more blind, gay baby whales than they it will save. Strangely you’re told this by those who spend most of their time driving around suburbia in a large 4*4 (that’s SUV) which has never even seen a country lane – let alone a muddy field.

Those SUV loving conservative socialites at the Telegraph are beating up the EV again.
Those SUV loving conservative socialites at the Telegraph are beating up the EV again.

Photo by KenJonBro
Do I sound bitter? Well, perhaps a little. Y’see, the Telegraph Newspaper has published today two articles bashing the UK government’s plans to kickstart a green transport revolution by offering up to £2,000 subsidy for each private purchase of an electric vehicle. The Telegraph would like you to believe that not only are electric cars dangerous and un-trendy but that providing an infrastructure to charge and run electric cars would actually cause more damage to the environment than good, not to mention economically cripple the country. .

Erm. Yes. Of course. What ever you say.
What you dumb asses journalists seem to be hell bent on is furnishing your own ends and pushing ratings up before checking your facts. Hmm. That sounds about right then.
More of the story critique after the jump, and reasons why both articles are wrong

Come and meet some friendly EVers in Farifax, VA tomorrow!

If you’re around the greater DC area and would like to meet me and some of the other EV and hybrid enthusiasts in the area then why not join us at Bertucci’s restaurant, VA, 22182 tomorrow. We’ll be meeting with the local EVA-DC group, who have kindly arranged this event. If you want to come…

Come and meet some friendly EVers in Farifax, VA tomorrow!

If you’re around the greater DC area and would like to meet me and some of the other EV and hybrid enthusiasts in the area then why not join us at Bertucci’s restaurant, VA, 22182 tomorrow. We’ll be meeting with the local EVA-DC group, who have kindly arranged this event. If you want to come…

Come and see the historic and exciting conclusion to a PHEV trip around 48 states.

The plug in prius is a strange beast. Promised by Toyota many times and not yet on the market, many owners (like me) have taken the time and energy to convert their own 2004-2009 Prius to a plug-in hybrid. There are even companies who, if you have enough money, will convert your Prius to a plug in without you worrying about doing it yourself.

Jerry Asher is amongst one of the increasingly large number of lucky souls who has a prius which you can plug in at night. He loved the idea of the plug in Prius so much that he decided to drive his PHEV prius (called the Spirit of DC) around all forty-eight of the mainland US states to highlight the good a plug in vehicle can do to the economy, the environment and the security of the USA. (Of course, it also helps in the UK, but we’re a bit behind and only have a few dozen PHEV prius in the whole country, of which two – mine is one – are DIY converted.)

Spirit of DC and Gerry. Off to another exciting place!
Spirit of DC and Jerry. Off to another exciting place!

Photo by M.Berkley

Press release and exciting news after the jump

Come and see the historic and exciting conclusion to a PHEV trip around 48 states.

The plug in prius is a strange beast. Promised by Toyota many times and not yet on the market, many owners (like me) have taken the time and energy to convert their own 2004-2009 Prius to a plug-in hybrid. There are even companies who, if you have enough money, will convert your Prius to a plug in without you worrying about doing it yourself.
Jerry Asher is amongst one of the increasingly large number of lucky souls who has a prius which you can plug in at night. He loved the idea of the plug in Prius so much that he decided to drive his PHEV prius (called the Spirit of DC) around all forty-eight of the mainland US states to highlight the good a plug in vehicle can do to the economy, the environment and the security of the USA. (Of course, it also helps in the UK, but we’re a bit behind and only have a few dozen PHEV prius in the whole country, of which two – mine is one – are DIY converted.)

Spirit of DC and Gerry. Off to another exciting place!
Spirit of DC and Jerry. Off to another exciting place!

Photo by M.Berkley
Press release and exciting news after the jump

When did you last fill up?

As my regular readers will know, I’m currently visiting family on the East Coast of the USA. While I’ve been here I’ve been noticing the differences between the UK and USA cultures from things as diverse as eating out and shopping to travel and environmental issues.

Now, before I go any further I feel duty-bound to put a mini-disclaimer here. I know the USA is a gargantuan country, encompassing many different communities and lifestyles. But I feel that the generalization I’m about to make holds good enough for most of the country that I won’t feel bad making it. Not only that, but the generalisation I’m about to make holds true for my home country and most of Europe just as much as it is true for North America.

The car is king.

America, like most of the western world, is in love with gas.
America, like most of the western world, is in love with gas.

Photo by Nikki Bloomfield

More after the jump

When did you last fill up?

As my regular readers will know, I’m currently visiting family on the East Coast of the USA. While I’ve been here I’ve been noticing the differences between the UK and USA cultures from things as diverse as eating out and shopping to travel and environmental issues.
Now, before I go any further I feel duty-bound to put a mini-disclaimer here. I know the USA is a gargantuan country, encompassing many different communities and lifestyles. But I feel that the generalization I’m about to make holds good enough for most of the country that I won’t feel bad making it. Not only that, but the generalisation I’m about to make holds true for my home country and most of Europe just as much as it is true for North America.

The car is king.

America, like most of the western world, is in love with gas.
America, like most of the western world, is in love with gas.

Photo by Nikki Bloomfield
More after the jump

Aminorjourney.com needs your input!

It’s now just about two weeks since the new www.aminorjourney.com launched. It’s getting visitors from all over the world and from many different sources. I’ve covered stories as diverse as the latest EVs and PHEVs through to talking about efficient driving and historical vehicles. I’ve even done some basic description based on how I converted…

Aminorjourney.com needs your input!

It’s now just about two weeks since the new www.aminorjourney.com launched. It’s getting visitors from all over the world and from many different sources. I’ve covered stories as diverse as the latest EVs and PHEVs through to talking about efficient driving and historical vehicles. I’ve even done some basic description based on how I converted…

GM and the PUMA. Wait till you have a better prototype, eh?

For serious EV enthusiasts who want full size vehicles which go fast and far there’s nothing more irritating than a joke EV making the headlines. It’s important for car makers to get new and exciting electric vehicles out in the public eye, but only if the vehicles in question give EVs a good name. But to put it bluntly the GM/Segway PUMA prototype looked no more than a complete joke when it hit the news earlier this week.

Segway/GMs prototype PUMA doesnt win any beauty prizes.
Segway/GM's prototype PUMA doesn't win any beauty prizes.

Unveiled as an early prototype at the New York Autoshow, the little two-wheeled, self balancing personal transport vehicle can carry two people at up to 30 mph around town for up to 35 miles.

More after the jump