I lived in Los Angeles when the EV1 was available for lease. I saw California shell out serious bucks to install charging stations at supermarkets and other commonly accessed locations. I drove daily into downtown Los Angeles and drooled every time I took the exit ramp transferring from the 10 to the 415. The sight of solar panels above the parking spots in accross the street from the LA convention center commanded green envious stares from rubber necks on that transfer ramp. The few EV1s that used the charging station were like bright shiny toys for grown ups. Everyone that I knew wanted one. They were okay with the idea that the battery packs would need to be changed every couple of years.
So, fast forward a few years to 2008. With every Prius I see, I think "Wow, that could have been an EV1 with better batteries, an EV2, EV3, or even an EV7." But a more prevalent thought than the success of the Prius is that many people remember the promise of the EV1. The broken promise of the EV1 resulted in the high demand for the Prius. It is most likely the reason why I hear EV enthusiasts say that they will never again another GM product ever again. Maybe this is why GM is focusing on the VOLT with Laser accuracy.
However, the same product syndrome is taking place with Microsoft's Vista. After such a disappointing OS release, one which for got to have the simple function of 'Ctrl X, C, or V', many folks are saying: "Never again!" I just want an OS that will work and isn't going to be yanked away from me after a year. The Apple/MAC frontal assault on Windos may have been even more successful that the Prius revolution.
Why am I writing this in my political blog? Promises Promises. It's all about the promises kept, and the broken ones too. I don't want to talk about all the Promises that are flinging around out there right now, except to say that everyone should probably keep their heads down so that they don't get slapped upside the head with another foul smelling promise.
I would like to remind of the consequences of the upcoming election.
In scenario one: Obama Moves into the White house, Pollsters get more street cred than ever, and Biden moves from the Senate floor to preside over the senate, where undoubtedly McCain will be sitting.
In Scenario two: McCain moves into the white house, Pollsters lose any street cred that they thought they ever had and Palin gets to preside over the senate, where undoubtedly, Obama and Biden will be sitting.
Either way, the fun is about to begin.
The real question is, what will make anyone never ever vote the way they will have voted in the up coming election, ever again?