Say No to Battery Cars

The Copenhagen accord on climate, regardless of its utter worthlessness, has made people more aware of greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles that run on fossil fuels and the need to control such emissions. The benefit of this awareness will go initially to the advanced countries that have been experimenting with electric cars and hybrid cars. They will now find a huge market in India. Some experimental versions of both types of cars were on display recently, but no one is talking about prices yet. If Rolls Royces and BMWs can find a market in India, so can hybrid cars. There is the additional feel-good factor about driving a ‘‘green’’ car. Those who have any experience of the hybrid cars can say how good and fuel-efficient they are. But they will cost the earth in the beginning. So the alternative for most people who would like to reduce GHG emissions would be the battery car that runs for 100 to 140 km on a single charge that could take three to seven hours. The people of Assam, however, must steer clear of battery cars because they have more power shut-downs here than power. THE SENTINEL