We devoted quite a bit of space on Page 1 yesterday to this story, and I have to say: This is the stupidest idea to come out of Detroit in a long time. Here's the nitty gritty:
The 300-pound prototype runs on a lithium-ion battery and uses Segway's characteristic two-wheel balancing technology, along with dual electric motors. It's designed to reach speeds of up to 35 miles-per-hour and can run 35 miles on a single charge.
The companies did not release a projected cost for the vehicle, but said ideally its total operating cost — including purchase price, insurance, maintenance and fuel — would total between one-fourth and one-third of that of the average traditional vehicle.
So, people are going to spend five or six grand on an oversize golf cart with no sides that goes only 35 miles an hour, has no space to carry anything, needs recharging after 35 miles and would probably be crushed like a bug by anything bigger than a Mini Cooper?
Only if they're forced to. Welcome to the green future envisioned for us by Washington.
