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Made in India

Game changer

MARCUS GEE

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:22 AM EST 16/04/08

Ratan Tata is building an empire of big ideas and very small cars ...Read the full article

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  1. Global Citizen from Canada writes: An electric version with solar charger option would likely lower the cost even more and save the environment and fossil fuels. There is already plenty of sun and high temperature to boot.
  2. Free Spirit from Halifax, Canada writes: Global Citizen, the 33 horsepower gasoline engine in the Nano produces power equivalent to 25,000 electrical watts (1 horsepower = 750 watts).

    Even the highest efficiency solar panels produce only 200 watts. And they cost $1000, almost one-third the price of the Nano car:

    http://store.solar-electric.com/hiposopa.html

    It would take 125 hours of sunlight, 10 days at least, to collect the energy required for one hours operation of the vehicle (125 hours x 200 watts = 25,000 watts for one hour).

    A huge battery would be required to store all that electrical energy. Even the big lithium ion battery in the Toyota Prius Hybrid car stores only enough electricity to power the vehicle for about 10 kilometers.

    Solar power is not even remotely practical for powering cars.
  3. Puntal Puntal from calgary, Canada writes: Not to throw around specific numbers, but in a more abstract sense, imagine if all V8 engines in passenger (not commercial) vehicles were replaced with V6's; don't you think that could potentially have an impact on emissions to offset the introduction of 100,000 Nano's (for example)?

    Or what if we reduced urban sprawl so individual stores weren't a 30-second drive away, but rather a 30-second walk?

    Or what if Tim Horton's didn't pack my sandwich today in two (TWO!) wrappers instead of one? Or if Starbucks recycled even 30% of the cups & lids they give out rather than throwing them in the garbage?

    I can't stand north Americans who fear the environmental impact of the Nano, while living in the largest (by square feet per person) houses and driving far more km's than any other culture. Glass houses, people...
  4. Stephen Bosch from Calgary, Canada writes: Hear hear, Puntal!

    Anyway -- I think Mr. Tata is a seriously cool guy. Whatever mud people in the West are flinging at him comes out of the fear that he is going to whip the pants off of Western industry.

    Frankly, it's about time. We've been living in a bubble for too long.
  5. D K from Canada writes: " Puntal Puntal from calgary, Canada writes:

    Or if Starbucks recycled even 30% of the cups & lids they give out rather than throwing them in the garbage?"

    Or if you used a refillable mug instead of a disposable one. It's about personal responsibility.
  6. Laurent Duperval from Montreal, Canada, writes: Mr. Tata got it just right on two accounts: "How could he make driving safer for Indian families?" and when he chose to be himself instead of emulating his uncle.

    Too often, leaders choose to take charge with an iron fist in order to show "Who's the boss" while alienating their followers at the same time. Bad leaders also tend to look after their needs first, and expect others to follow suit. That rarely works.

    As Mr. Tata shows, an approach based on thinking of others first can yield tremendous rewards.

    L

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