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Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

By Andrew Nusca | January 10, 2011, 8:02 AM PST

In a big push behind its hybrid and all-electric vehicles, U.S. automaker Ford hired environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. — you know, the guy who told us in July that his compost doesn’t stink — to promote its green vehicle strategy at the 2011 North American International Auto Show.

In it, he manages to express his love for butterflies and get in a dig or two at the Nissan Leaf, too. (It’s like Mike Rowe for the tree-hugger set.)

It may be entirely promotional, but it’s at least entertaining. To arms!

The video:

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About Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca is editor of SmartPlanet.

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

"Range anxiety - buzz kill." So the estimated range shown when I pull out of my driveway is 100% accurate? It won't drop 30 miles after 10 miles of driving if I turn the heater on?
"Ford created a smartphone ap that allows owners to connect to their EV's so they can check the batteries, charge them, and lots of other stuff from anywhere." Anywhere? Really? Suppose I'm camping. I can charge the batteries by plugging into a tree? Or maybe I can recharge the Ford sitting in the driveway because I had to take the Subaru on my 120 mile camping trip.

Posted by rickl1@...

10th Jan 2011

Just
In

RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

The bit about charging was for the 220v fast charger. You can
also just plug the car into a regular 120v outlet if you're willing to
wait overnight (8-10 hours) for it to recharge from flat-line. And
while your can expect to see your electricity bill go way up,
the cost per mile in almost all cases is lower than gasoline
powered vehicles (when you compare Miles Per KwH vs. MPG).

The video was pretty content-light. I'd prefer less marketing fluff,
more real info.

Posted by bradhansen@...

12th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

Look puppies, oh i mean butterflies. Nice try distracting me with fluff so I don't see the real picture. When activists get paid to flog a product, it makes them look like sell outs. Nice try Ed.

Posted by shawngr

10th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

Posted by rickl1@...

10th Jan 2011

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Can you say HACKABLE?

What is the monthly wireless bill? How secure is it?

Is this onstar on steroids where the eco police will pull you over if you have to charge your vehicle from a gas generator while on that camping trip?

Posted by Hates Idiots

10th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

Have they finally gotten around to installing charging panels on the roof, deck and lid? That is what is important. To be able to charge off-grid.

Posted by Selabkram

10th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

The Ford Focus EV looks cool, however it is a year away. I have a Nissan Leaf sitting in my garage now, drive it daily and love it. And I can see the battery status, range, turn on the climate control via my cell phone now! I installed a 2.1KW PV system for the car last summer, so a good 10K miles/year from the sun. I had never bought a Nissan car before, but so far it seems they have done an excellent job with the Leaf.

Posted by zeroco2

10th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

Did I get this correct. In order to charge your Ford at home, one needs to get that transformer to charge it up. OK so what happens when/if los more people get electric cars. The government isnt collecting all those road taxes like they so easily can with gasoline. Have one of those on the side of your house you cant count on your power bill going ballistic.
OK another scenario. I have enough range to drive to Grandmas, friends, work, just an outing with the family, but not enough for round trip. What do I do, the charger is bolted to the side of my house? I travel for busness, Hotels have outlets for block heaters, it would be so nice to plug my car into the blockheater outlet and charge over night...Nope cant do that. The Charger is back at home. I could live with an 8 hour full recharge cycle, from a regular outlet. I most cerainly could not live being tethered to the charger base no matter how much faster it charged.

Posted by csumbler

11th Jan 2011

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RE: Ford taps Ed Begley, Jr. for Detroit auto show; slams Nissan Leaf

Posted by bradhansen@...

12th Jan 2011

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