Could we see a major slowdown of clean energy development?

From bio diesel plants to wind and solar farms in the U.S. and aboard, many companies face the current challenge to stay afloat, without the proper capital and backing, it could cause a major slowdown in the alternative energy industries.  Although DrivePwr’s main objective is to cover news and trends in the “green transportation” industry, we can’t help but cover some other important topics that indirectly effect the cause. From Solar to Wind energy to automotive companies like GM, Ford, Chrysler and even Tesla Motors, small and large companies all over the industry are feeling the pinch.  Two major factors are making investors weary, cheaper oil and unavailable or expensive capital that was previously available, and it was much less expensive too.  Unless you have been hiding out in a bomb shelter, you have watched the U.S. mortgage crisis turn into worldwide financial turmoil.  The price of a barrel of oil has hovered below $75 for the past week (down from over $147 in July), with fears of demand running rampant. This deadly combination could mean disaster for the industry, or by minimum slow it down..a lot.

Overall, the green-tech industry relies heavily on outside sources of capital from banking institutions or large companies.  Even large and once cash-strapped companies like GE are having issues:

“Right now we can’t price a deal,” said [GE Financial Services managing director Timothy] Howell in an interview with Clean Technology Insight on the sidelines of the Solar Power International conference in San Diego, Calif. “We can’t go out and borrow. So we can’t commit to a deal today.”

GE is having issues getting money, and many green-tech companies rely on funding from companies like GE.  That can’t be a good thing.  Over the past 3 months, we have watched a decline of over 45% in the renewable energy stocks.  Compare that to the average 23% decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the prognosis is not good.

Looks like many of the analyts on Wall Street are expecting mergers, acquisitions and an overall consolidation in the industry.  But the overall outlook isn’t all grey skies, larger companies and governments like the U.S. and U.K. see alternative energy solutions as viable, profitable and an opportunity to elminate our dependence on foreign oil.  Although any drop in prices at the pump is by all means a GOOD thing for the pocket books of Americans, we still need to push hard for solutions to the pollution, sollutions to our economic dependence on a finite product.

Click the above image to view the Tesla image gallery

Well, as they say “another one bites the dust.” I can hear the classic Queen song in my head as I begin writing the obituary of the former CEO, Ze’ev Drori.  In my mind, it seems like yesterday we were mourning the passing of CEO, Martin Eberhard.  I feel bad for the next poor bastard that steps up for the challenge. In the meantime,  Chairman Elon Musk will take over duties as the acting CEO.  In everyone’s mind, it seemed like Ze’ev Drori was going to be a good fit with Tesla Motors, but it seems “Extraordinary times require focus,” stated Elon Musk in his latest blog post.

“For this critical phase of the company, the scope of my role at Tesla will expand from executive chairman and product architect to CEO. With SpaceX now having reached orbit and about to enter it’s third year of profitability, I can afford to increase time allocated to Tesla.  Ze’ev Drori, who has made extraordinary progress with the company over the last year as CEO, will stay on the board of directors as vice-chairman and continue to help make the right decisions. It has been and will continue to be a pleasure and an honor working with Ze’ev.”

I guess he is referring to the tough economic times which are forcing young companies, like Tesla Motors, to tighten the belt.  Or maybe Tesla got too big for their britches? Either way, as John McCain would say “Change is Coming.” We’ll all just have to sit tight and wait for Tesla Motor’s next big reveal, the Model S sedan.

Presidential Seal

Well, here we are coming down the home stretch of one of the most important elections of our life time. The everyday American is milling through the details of policies, debates, commercials, mud-slinging and everything in between.  With four weeks left in the election, all of us are searching for our personal “tipping point.” What will be your “tipping point?” In an effort to confuse matters even more, we the people of DrivePwr thought we would post some he-said-she-said of hybrid vehicle political landscape. Don’t worry we’ll keep it simple. We’ll give you a little of the “Straight Talking Express” and the “Change We Need” platforms.

First, let’s level the playing field by saying that both candidates are interested and committed to putting more hybrids on American roads.

McCain

Although McCain’s plan is not as thorough as Obama’s, McCain’s idea is ambitious and focuses on the everyday American to fulfill the void. McCain’s platform is really quite simple, he has called for a $300 million prize to the whoever can create a more efficient, scalable battery that will “leapfrog” the capabilities of the current hybrid and electric vehicles. “$1 for every man, woman and child in the U.S. — a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency.” Who knows if the Manhattan Project type would really work, but a $300 million prize could spark some serious interest.

Obama

Did you know Obama’s friends use to call him Barry? Well, if not, now you know. I hope you don’t mind me referring to him as “Barry.” So, Barry’s plan includes an equally ambitious, maybe idealistic, plan to get hybrids on the road. First, according to Barry’s website, he wants to replace all White House vehicles with plug-in hybrids. So, watch out, we could have our first presidential EV convoy.  After he successfully converts the White House, Barry plans to set a mandate for half of all government vehicles purchased annually are plug-ins, all in the next four years.  Overall, Barry has a fairly robust energy plan that includes over $150 billion through 10 years to push his energy platforms and successfully put a million plug-in hybrids on the roads in seven years.  In addition to the 10 year plan, Barry plans to offer a $7,000 tax credit to enhance the purchase of plug-ins.  Finally, $4 billion in “retooling tax credits” for those who manufacture the vehicles to support the vehicles on the road and in repair.

Wow, so there you have it. A brief overview of from two candidates, both seeking presidential election.  I’m sure there more serious issues to hang your hat on, but we thought we would stay relevant and timely as we approach the next great election.

After much anticipation, DrivePwr.com is now officialy live!

Welcome to DrivePwr.com, an attempt by authors Mark, Ben and Dan (short and simple) to keep the world tuned in with all the latest news and trends in the alternative energy and transportation industry.  We want to bring you the best and most informative blog possible, to help you keep a finger on the pulse of such an important and diverse topic. We will cover hybrids, all electric, bio fuels, solar, hydrogen, natural gas, compressed air (just to name a few). We’ve got you covered!

We are just three normal guys on a journey to make a difference.   Living in three different states in the good ole US of A, we live three very different lives.  And so what if we are geeks. We LOVE this stuff. We have a pretty lofty goal too, and we are going to need your help.  We face stiff competition, powerful corporations, thick-headed government, weary consumers, uninspired technology, a failing economy and crippled auto industry…its going to be an uphill battle all the way.  We want to eliminate our transportation dependence on that nasty black stuff.  That’s right, just three normal guys, taking on the world.  Sure it sounds crazy, but if we won’t do it, who will?

So DrivePwr isn’t ACTUALLY finished (we probably won’t ever be), we still have HUGE plans and we are working hard behind the scenes to bring some extra features, guides, and maybe the occasional widget and application.  First and foremost, we are a blog..that means commentary, news, trends and a whole lot of media (we love pictures, video, audio and anything else that moves on your screen.

We look forward to hearing from all of you through comments and feedback.  Subscribe by email or RSS using the subcribe section in the top right hand corner of every page. And make sure to check back daily!

So without further delay, I give you DrivePwr, a new face to green blogs across the internet. Rock on.