MAX Update No. 44: Responses to Sharp Criticisms

Reader Contribution by Staff

The crew at MOTHER EARTH NEWS received this letter about MAX, my response follows.

As I read your article about the MAX car (Our DIY Car: The Quest for 100 MPG), I just had to laugh at the statements and outlandish assumptions that are being made. I am an automotive powertrain engineer and have worked at one of the major automotive OEMs for the last 20 years. I can tell you with some authority that this project is nothing but a high school experiment. The statement from the author “If I can build a 100-mpg car using off-the-shelf technology, the major automakers should be able to do the same, if not even better” shows the lack of understanding people have about the modern vehicle. 

My company could easily build a vehicle that could get 100 mpg and probably cost about $5,000 — no problem. But you have to ask: 

1) Does it meet all regulations from the DOT (Department of Transportation), CARB (California Air Resources Board), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and a myriad of other safety regulatory agencies?

2) Is it safe to drive on public roads? Would you put your family in it?

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368