The average kwh of electric energy in the US produces 1.34 pounds of CO2e. In California the number is 0.61 ... in Idaho 0.03.

http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2009/01/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-electric-power-generation.html

I wonder what size limits there are on the driver and passenger.

It is amusing seeing these guys act like people are rational actors. What person in their right mind would pay $40k+ for an A6 given their reliability and cost of repair?

My niece learned to drive a stick so she could intimidate her boyfriends ... it worked as planned.

There are numerous problems with conversion kits, not the least of which is durability. Getting past five years of regular driving with a battery pack is a big deal. Combine this with the fact that there aren't many suitable cars to convert and the people who own them have more money than the average American - this is just a dumb transfer of money.

It would be much more cost effective to promote biking in some cities (like Portland has done). Make it safer and give people places to park. Not using a car for short trips has many practical consequences.

As pointed out there is a lot of competition - Bromptons are great folders.

Mercedes and BMW are probably aiming at affluent people who think of bikes as an afterthought - perhaps a "green" style statement. There is nothing wrong with that if this gets more people out of their cars, but for most people a visit to a dealer who specializes in bikes is a better deal. It makes a lot of sense to have a bike properly fitted and I doubt you'll see this outside of real bike shops.

not much of a chance but ...

I wonder if they will do something about the handling - the thing needs much better rubber for starters (not conducive to range, but...)

This is seriously heavy, although nothing like some of the lead-acid cheapies from China. A good 25 to 30 pound bike will be not be difficult to pedal and will quickly get you in shape if you aren't already.

Walking and biking the short trips may have an impact on obesity

http://www.6footsix.com/my_weblog/2009/03/walk-and-bike-your-walk-to-a-healthier-body.html

This is a good example of the Santa Ana winds. Hot and very dry coming down out of the mountains heading West. Sometimes 90 to 100 degrees F with humidities under 10% ... really bad for fires.

Estimates are that if you can stop all of the deforestration and reforest areas in the Amazon and Indonesia that you might get about 1/10th to 1/5th the amount of carbon sink needed to deal with the extra stuff people are adding. A very important piece, but peanuts.