Reactions to story from EcoGeek: Technology for the Environment

• 

  Cleantech Investing For EcoGeeks

  http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2008/07/ecogeek.html
  1 day ago in Alternative Energy Stocks: The Investor Resource for Alternative Energy Stocks · Authority: 74

  by Tom Konrad. This story is cross-posted on EcoGeek.org As lovers of green gadgets, EcoGeeks probably know as much about what's new in clean technology (a.k.a Cleantech) as anyone on the web. So if you're an EcoGeek thinking about investing in companies which make the technology you know and love, you will probably take comfort in the old adage that you should invest in what you know. An EcoGeek investing in clean technology companies will have an advantage understanding how a company makes money, and what is a needed innovation with a large market, and what is simply a bizarre curiosity. More importantly, an EcoGeek knows that any maker of EVs will have to cope with endless competitors, and they're the first to know when LED bulbs are bright enough for general use. While knowledge of cleantech is the great strength of the EcoGeek investor, this knowledge most likely arises from a love of clean technology. Just as "geek" implies technology expertise, it also connotes an obsession with technology which might interfere with the geek's social life. Unfortunately, an obsession with cleantech has the potential to blind the unwary EcoGeek investor to the pitfalls of investing in a cool technology which might not turn out to be such a great investment. Investing in what you know is not the same as investing in what you admire. People who invest in something just because they admire the brand often find themselves buying at the top. Our aspirations and wants are in large part cultural, and others will be excited about the same things we are, at the same time. When many investors are all buying at once, none are likely to get a good price. To the extent that EcoGeeks are ahead of the curve with fashion, we can get in ahead of the crowd. The rising popularity which follows can work in our favor, driving the price higher as other investors pile in. To the extent that we live up to the geek stereotype, and what we think is great turns out to be hopelessly un-cool, we'll find ourselves investing in things which never catch on. Many innovations which help the environment are also quite unpopular, so it is very difficult to know if we're blazing a path for others to follow (as turned out to be the case with hybrid cars), or simply lost in the woods (think Segway.) That said, the EcoGeek who decides to invest in cleantech need not end up going EcoBroke. The trick lies in distinguishing between when we're on the environmental cutting edge, and when we're on the environmental lunatic fringe. Most people on the lunatic fringe think that they're the only sane ones, and the rest of the world is confused. That may well be the case. After all, those of us who were worried about Climate Change before 2003 or so were on the lunatic fringe, even though most people now accept that we were right. But if we were investing in cleantech companies back then, we probably had a lot more losers than winners. Anyone remember Astropower? Or, if you're impressed by the recent successes of Capstone Microturbine (CPST), you probably didn't buy it in 2001. The key to EcoGeeky investing is to know that we're investing out of knowledge, rather than just buying a stock because we're excited about the company's green technology. In the end, the key to all successful investing is to know ourselves at least as well as we know the companies we're investing in. DISCLOSURE: Tom Konrad owns CPST. DISCLAIMER: The information and trades provided here and in the comments are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to buy or sell any of these securities. Investing involves substantial risk and you should evaluate your own risk levels before you make any investment. Past results are not an indication of future performance. Please take the time to read the full disclaimer here.
• 

  Mindset Six50 Electric Car Blends Gas, Li-Ion and Solar

  http://alternativefuelsnow.org/2008/06/12/mindset-six50-elec...
  36 days ago in Alternative Fuels Now · Authority: 2

  New auto industry start-up Mindset, has announced plans to release a gasoline-electric hybrid next year. The hybrid 2+2-seater, called the Six50, contains a built-in Li-Ion battery, with a range of 100km (62 miles) between charges, rising to 800km (496 miles) when the two-cylinder gasoline motor also kicks in as a generator as required. Battery charging is further assisted by integrated roof-top solar panels. The car’s name hints at the target weight of 650kg (1430 lbs). However, according to recent reports, the prototype, made with a plastic body around an aluminum frame, tips the scales at a still fairly lightweight 800kg. According to Mindset, this helps the car to achieve fairly respectable levels of performance. The 70kw (95hp) motor should enable speeds of up to 140km/h (75mph) and acceleration from 0-100km/h in under six seconds. The company was established by Marat Gunak, former head of design at Volkswagen (who is also gearing up with electric cars), with backing from Swiss billionaire Lorenzo Schmid. According to Gunak, most cars are currently “too big, too heavy, too expensive,” a trend that he hopes to help overturn with the Six50. On first impressions, it seems that he might have succeeded in developing a small, lightweight car. However, many potential buyers will need to be persuaded that the price, currently estimated at €31,000 (about $47,900) - and likely to reach nearer €50,000 (about $77,200) by the time the Six50 hits the market - is not “too expensive.” For an average buyer, that’s pretty darn expensive. Via Treehugger
• 

  Audi to Produce Electric Cars within a Decade - EcoGeek

  http://gogetterinfo.com/blog2/?p=735
  46 days ago in gogetterinfo.com · Authority: 1

  Audi to Produce Electric Cars within a Decade - EcoGeek Posted on June 2nd, 2008 in electric cars by EcoGeek Audi to Produce Electric Cars within a Decade EcoGeek, MT - May 12, 2008 Audi, the luxury car unit of the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG), has announced plans to make electric cars inside the next ten years. In a recent interview, … read the full article
• 

  Audi to Produce Electric Cars within a Decade

  http://greenirvana.com/2008/05/audi-to-produce-electric-cars...
  66 days ago in Greenirvana.com · Authority: 2

  Audi, the luxury car unit of the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG), has announced plans to make electric cars within the next ten years. read more | digg story

Advertise on Technorati

Advertise on Technorati