2014 Feb Update | 'I'm Against it'

"I don't like games and fun/I don't like anyone/And I'm against it" -- Ramones "I'm Against It"

Last month, I debuted the "I"m Against It" series that documents efforts to stop electric car growth by groups, associations, media and politicos. This is the update for Feb 13, 2014. The column's debut is at the bottom of this post for more context! 

February Update:

After a successful and prominent coast-to-coast supercharging trip in early February, the “Against-It” crowdRecent survey results (2/13) by an Ohio media outlet with vote totals on the question of whether Tesla business model should stay. ratcheted up activity toward Tesla Motors and the electric car industry.

The “Against-It” crowd in Ohio dished out some proposed anti-business legislation this week. In Ohio, Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) introduces Senate Bill 260 this week to remove Tesla’s business model from the state of Ohio. The dealers don’t like Tesla’s business model where customers visit retail stores to learn about its new car technology and then buy the new electric auto model online. Tom Patton says that, in effect, it’s a loophole in the law and it should be closed.

Closing loopholes? Or, “closing” innovation and new business for the state of Ohio. Mutants.

Sweet Pete this is a problem, dealers need to sell and move cars, and selling a plug-in electric vehicles (PEV), it takes time. Salespeople don’t want to spend more time selling cars—volume sales is needed.

According to John Voelcker of Green Car Reports, it takes as 3x the amount of time to sell an electric vehicle. 

Online transactions are the answer for Tesla, and could be for Ford, GM and others if they put a little pressure on the dealer associations. 

Georgia On My Mind...

Georgia is looking to eliminate $5,000 tax credit by April 1. According to DailyTech.com, “a new pending bill would eliminate the state’s current [up to] $5,000 tax credit. If the bill passes, it would eliminate the tax break no later than April 1.”

I’m guessing those Georgia consumers might funnel that tax credit money back into the local economy, you think?

>> For more context on the forces of EV Evil, see the previous post from January 14 below:

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Great Technology, but I’m Against It

“I don’t like games and fun/ I don’t like anyone/ And I’m against’ Ramones, “I’m Against It”

In 2014 at EV Parade, I’ll analyze throughout the year how media outlets, consumers and political freaks are shaping “perceptions” of electric cars, alternative fuels, battery developments renewable energy and, even, manufacturing trends in the U.S.

Seismic shifts in manufacturing and technology are really starting to take shape and topics, such as EVs, advanced fuels, mobility advancements, technology, Interent of Things and manufacturing applications, are evolving rapidly.

Each week, I’ll shine a light on some public figure, company, municipality or country stating they are AGAINST IT. Against electric cars, altfuels, renewable energy or in reality, PROGRESS, for the sake of being AGAINST it.

This week’s “I’m AGAINST IT” winner goes out to state senator Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) of Ohio for another bill proposal to stop the Tesla/Elon Musk menace. A politician from Ohio wants an American car company to stop selling cars in his state. He’s AGAINST it.

Late in 2013, Patton wanted to amend a safety bill at 11th hour, which dealt with safer work conditions for men and women on Ohio’s highways, and it would make selling Tesla cars illegal in Ohio.

Specifically, Patton feels Tesla Motors retail stores are illegal because cars are NOT sold there. That’s right, Tesla does not sell cars at delaerships. All Tesla cars are bought online. The dumb is strong in this one

He say Tesla will kills jobs for Ohio and dealerships.

Jobs, right. He should take into account all the electrical work that comes to Ohio due to electrical upgrades for garages (240 V), new technology infrastructure, actual employment at Tesla retail stories and Tesla service stores for these electric cars.

Or, Elon Musk may bring in Space X or Solar City jobs to Ohio.

Nope, he’s AGAINST it.

The whole story is here, but the hypocrisy rates around the 5 cups of coffee meter at 9:30 am and this is the kicker, from Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield’s Transport Evolved’s:

To put this in a little context, it’s also worth noting that, according to campaign finance reports reviewed by MediaTrackers, Sen. Patton has received “at least $42,825 from state and national auto dealership owners, employees, and political action committees (PACs) between 2002 and 2013.”

Thank you Ramones, rock’n’roll and, of course, Mom.