Charlie Rose Tomorrow - Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran

Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran is an MIT trained engineer who has spent the past ten years covering environmental and energy issues for The Economist Magazine. His first book, Power for the People, How the Coming Energy Revolution will Change our Lives, and maybe even Save the Planet was published in 2005. He has just co-authored his second book, ZOOM: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future, with Iain Carson.

Visit charlierose.com for the full interview

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Charlie
• Rose
• The
• Economist
• environment

[triphopp]

In my opinion, this is all moot until we get some real policy change in the USA. This technology and others have been available, but the work of corporate lobbyists and politicians with personal agendas do their best to prevent these vehicles from becoming common. For another example watch the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" which is hopefully available at your local library (if not ask why and request).

[creole60]

Tail-pipes that leak water....there's hope yet.

[MShepherd88]

(adding onto what I said below) Second, SUVs are still bigger vehicles, and still consume more resources in order to construct them than a little compact car would. I'm not saying that SUVs are terrible or anything, after all some people really do need all the space, but even in a hydrogen fuel cell dominated economy, there would still be reasons for choosing a smaller vehicle IF it is possible for you. Like I said earlier, though, good video overall!

[MShepherd88]

One other comment about this video is that while I understand Vijay's point about SUVs possibly not being the work of the devil once hydrogen fuel cells are commo, I think it's stretching the truth a little bit. First, as he mentioned, the hydrogen fuel will still have to be made somehow, and until the energy sector is mostly renewables, fueling SUVs with hydrogen will still consume more fossil fuels. (see next comment for other point)

[MShepherd88]

Good video! I especially appreciate the idea that right-wing free market ideology is compatible with environmentalism...I think too often conservatives are painted as enemies of the environment when they don't really have to be. We need democrats and republicans working together on this issue.

[freebiegoodfornutten]

although I do agree with you ....we need these!!! :)

[freebiegoodfornutten]

highly doubt the government will make it legal to drive thougsh cars sens the gas prices are so high the government don't want the pit stops ignored sens they just gotta have their precious Mooooooney....and whats with the little tags you gotta buy for the back of cars now days that are like 100 bucks if not 1000??...hello..my parents didn't have to worry bout that growing up...now its a fear every christmas month :(

[samfuller]

Cars are not great. This is yet another band-aid. Cars are isolating pods the inspire rage and selfishness.

[clarason46]

The sound was kind of low on this.

[hanscarter]

"Who Killed the Electric Car" is one of my favorite documentaries! The big problem with hydrogen fuel cells is corporations only care about the short term. They aren't willing to risk a bad quarter even if the technology is excellent and profitable in the long term. Before we talk about policy changes there needs to be a clear demand at the consumer level. When corporations and politicians know there's a huge demand for alternative fuels that's when we'll have substantive policy change.

[scorpiooooooh]

In the absence of Hydro fuel stations, why not have fuel cell home delivery? Ice used to be deliverd in the old days, milk is still delivered to door steps. Don't allow the blocking of realestate aquisition and development of stations for Hydro to impede progress or discourage car buyers who fear lack of access and availability. Simple snap-on solutions are viable.