Innovation Is A Must
Tom Freidman's world is flat theory (c)(TM) merged with his latest call for a green revolution in a recent article titled "While Detroit Slept." Mr. Freidman states his number one rule of business in the modern world thusly:
Whatever can be done, will be done. The only question is will it be done by you or to you. Just don’t think it won’t be done. If you have an idea in Detroit or Tennessee, promise me that you’ll pursue it, because someone in Denmark or Tel Aviv will do so a second later.
To prove his point, Freidman cites to a case study about an innovative business model for green personal transportation.
The Better Place electric car charging system involves generating electrons from as much renewable energy — such as wind and solar — as possible and then feeding those clean electrons into a national electric car charging infrastructure. This consists of electricity charging spots with plug-in outlets — the first pilots were opened in Israel this week — plus battery-exchange stations all over the respective country. The whole system is then coordinated by a service control center that integrates and does the billing.
Under the Better Place model, consumers can either buy or lease an electric car from the French automaker Renault or Japanese companies like Nissan (General Motors snubbed Agassi) and then buy miles on their electric car batteries from Better Place the way you now buy an Apple cellphone and the minutes from AT&T. That way Better Place, or any car company that partners with it, benefits from each mile you drive. G.M. sells cars. Better Place is selling mobility miles.
I don't know if it will work, but I love the innovation. Meanwhile, US automakers are waiting for politicians to stop posturing, and getting beaten to the punch in the race to produce a viable electric car.
On a positive note, President-elect Obama today officially named Nobelist Steven Chu as the next secretary of energy. Those pushing for support of the green economy are thrilled, but I can't help but think that Frosty the Coal Man's Christmas is ruined.
[Via Wait Wait Don't Tell Me]