Re: (ET) Re: new electrics

["steves" <ssawtelle fcc net>]

Good discussion.  I have to agree in part that it would be a tough business
to enter, but it may be coming.

I stopped by the Toyota dealer to look at the Prius (I know, not EV, but I
think it's a good stepping stone in the right direction). They have a six
month waiting list! And for the $20K plus price, there are larger, maybe
'nicer' cars available. But evidently it's appealing to a lot of people for
some reason.

The trick is to find the right niche or have some feature that makes it 
cool
(like zero turning radius). As we know, battery power is a benefit to a
garden tractor due to the 'free' extra weight. A battery push mower is
hampered by that weight. Quiet operation could be a big selling point. 
Maybe
communities with smog trouble could offer tax incentives since ICE mowers
are such a pollution problem. I think you'd have to something that can mow,
push snow, load and carry mulch, and maybe till - with the attachments all
being quick mount.

Oh well my 2cents.

SteveS
E20



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Adams" <airicadams yahoo com>
To: <Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:11 PM
Subject: RE: (ET) Re: new electrics


> Hi,
>
> Thanks for the discussion and thoughts that you all have shared so far. I
> definitely agree with David Roden that the electric tractor market could
be a
> tough nut to crack, especially on the bottom end commodity market.
>
> It doesn't cost anything to explore the problems and try to identify what
the
> appropriate market might be. I know that it is a topic that has already
been
> talked to half to death, but it is an interesting topic to think about 
> (at
> least to me...)
>
> This comment has me thinking abit:
>
> --- "David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden ald net> wrote:
> > People in general don't really much care that EVs are cleaner or 
> > quieter
or
> > better for the environment.  They don't perceive any tangible immediate
> >
> > Quiet mowing, lack of fumes, easy starting, and no need for gasoline
have
> > been the argument for electric push mowers for years.  Yet they still
have
>
> I wonder whether the times are starting to change. There is a tiny but
> noticeably growing appreciation for responsible lifestyles and "clean and
> green" stuff. Perhaps an electric tractor that was somehow "cool" and
super
> easy to use would be the token first step for people who are feeling
guilty
> about driving their monster truck to work everyday.
>
>
> eric
>
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