I recently had the pleasure of learning a decent amount about this company. Any amount could be considered decent, taking into account I didn’t know they existed several weeks ago. What seemed like the entire corporate structure (exaggerating, but still) participated in #Carchat on Twitter several weeks back. I have to admit I was impressed.
Anyone who has listened to my verbal rants over the years will certainly know my feelings on the Electric Car, “Why the f*ck do I want an electric car”. I even hate people for driving Prius’. Well that was quite a while back, I’ve done better as of late, I respect the Honda Accord Hybrid because it’s fast, the Escape Hybrid because it makes sense, and the ‘Sclade Hybrid because it’s ridiculous. All this said however, straight electric? Well, again, YES! I’m very excited about the Volt. I know, another kind of Hybrid, but I think it holds the key. In the future you can rip that Petrol power plant out, and drop in a Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Tesla is out there, but the cost is just too high at this point.
What does this have to do with Local Motors? The way my mind works, a lot. Local Motors is a Startup Company out of Boston, Headquartered in Wareham, MA. They have reinvented the concept of Automotive Design, Marketing, Manufacturing and Sales. The concept in very simple, almost retro, Build cars for your market. Automotive needs in Wisconsin are very different from Automotive needs in Atlanta. Their concept has people in Wisconsin, in an Open Source manner, building the vehicle that fits their needs. Building it in their state, with their people.
One visit to their Website, www.local-motors.com, will show you how much this company represents “Computer Geeks meet Auto Geeks”. I think this is the first step towards really developing an operational electric fleet. I’ve never felt the government would successfully mandate an electric fleet, to be honest I never expected the government to successfully do anything.
I still don’t like the idea of having to rely on batteries. I’m a driver, I’m a car guy. I want my car to perform, I want it reliable, and I want to drive it whenever and wherever I want. I can’t hop in an electric car today and drive from Indy back to New Hampshire to visit, and yes, I would make that drive rather than fly.
That’s where Open Source and the future collide. If this technique takes off, and the Volt becomes reality, now we will have the launch platform to my dream of little Hindenburg Autos flowing all over the country. It will take time to develop such a network of filling rigs and stations, and during that time we need to see good electrics, better batteries, and prove that it can work on a local level.
I hope to schedule in a visit to the Local Motors HQ on my next drive to New Hampshire. They have made it very clear that all are welcome to come be a part of their venture. Check them out, www.local-motors.com
Follow them on Twitter @localmotors
