Have you heard about the PUMA?  It's a new electric vehicle which was created by General Motors and Segway.  The vehicle seats two, has a top speed of 35 mph, a range of 35 miles per charge, and costs $0.35 to charge.  It is being marketed for individuals in urban neighborhoods who want a small, efficient, inexpensive vehicle.  It is expected to cost one fourth the price of an average new car when it is released in 2012.

     I'm intrigued by the PUMA.  The low purchase price and operating costs certainly get my attention.  Then there is also the convenience of having a small vehicle to easily maneuver tight spaces and find parking spaces in congested areas.  I'm impressed, but the PUMA certainly isn't for everyone.

     I was listening to Rush Limbaugh, and he compared the vehicle to a "wheel chair with a motor."  Besides questioning the  PUMA's safety, he said it would appeal to long-haired, sandal-wearing oddballs who shop at Whole Foods.  I won't dispute that I'm an oddball, but this short-haired, boot wearing, Republican who is too cheap to shop at Whole Foods, is hopeful about this vehicle's potential.

     The PUMA is small and lacks airbags, but in this respect, it isn't any different than a motorcycle.  It has sensors to prevent crashes, although I don't think this would do much good if a car hits you at 60 mph.  Limbaugh also lamented the country's move backwards, and criticized the creation of these vehicles.  As someone with a science background, I think it's important to remind people that technology and scientific discovery builds upon preceding work.  The technology in the PUMA could eventually be improved drastically.  Who knows, it could morph into a 5 passenger car with a top speed of 100mph, a range of 300 miles, and all the amenities you would find in a regular vehicle.  We don't know for sure, but we will never know if we don't continue to innovate.

     As a fiscal conservative, I appreciate a vehicle that is inexpensive to purchase and operate.  I also support anything that may one day contribute to less oil being purchased from Middle Eastern countries.  As I said before, the PUMA isn't for everyone.  I'm single, have no children, a short commute to work, and I live in a convenient urban neighborhood.  For me, it seems like a great product which should inspire optimism.