http://edition.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/04/12/rolls.royce.electric.solar/index.html
Rolls-Royce has created a concept model for an electric version of their prohibitively expensive luxury sedan, the Phantom. This is a huge milestone for the electrical vehicle movement as Rolls-Royce is a symbol of the famous and wealthy, indicating that car companies are taking the idea very seriously and that the customer market would extend past environmentalists. The car charges through induction by a plate on the bottom of the vehicle and wherever a charging plate is installed. If this concept could be made to be cost effective, electric vehicles could charge while sitting in a parking lot or wherever a plate is installed – a simple solution to the popular complaint of “where would I even charge an electrical vehicle”. There are a few problems, as with any electric car. Considering the expense of the Rolls-Royce, gasoline prices would not be an incentive to purchase the vehicle and may result in bad sales. Bad sales may scare off other luxury car companies. Many people complain about the charging aspect of electric cars – it isn’t instant like gasoline nor are there commonly placed charging stations. Electric cars appear to be the way of the future with the inevitable decline of crude oil and as companies embrace the new technology, consumers should as well.
Honestly I can't see anyone who is shelling out the money for a Rolls-Royce buying an electric one. It goes against the entire social message of owning one of their brand. If I'm getting an autograph from an Atlanta Brave, I'm getting Chipper Jones', not Julio Lugo's. That said, it is encouraging that a company that has made itself a symbol of wealth is contributing to the effort for environmental conservation.
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