Little cars, big problem?
Tags: cars, congestion, India, Nano, Sustainability, Tata
Autopia has arrived in India. Yesterday, Tata Motors introduced the long-awaited Nano, a tiny car with an equally diminutive sticker-price. At just under $2,300US, the idea is to shift urban Indians from motos to four-wheelers. The cars, which are already in high-demand, get around 55 mpg and produce less CO2 than the average motorcycle. Still, many are unhappy about this development, primarily because it further embeds the desire for private vehicles and Indian cities are already plenty congested. Environmentalists might be a little more enthused if the Nano used something other than petroleum, despite its relative efficiency. Also, Tata has a less-than-sparkling reputation within India.
While I share the reservations many are feeling toward India’s new automotive independence, the Nano represents an unfortunately necessary step in the country’s rapid progression. Understanding the difficulties in governing a young democracy of 1.1 billion people, it might be a little much to expect a clean transition toward public transit when so many remain homeless. Sure, leaders would be wise to channel society away from car-centric tendencies, but that seems unlikely.
For those who are utterly dismayed by the news of Tata’s innovation, take solace in the skepticism of many analysts over the company’s financial sustainability. My hope is that Indians buy Nanos at such an alarming rate that cities become hopelessly congested (they’re already close) and the need for public transit becomes evermore obvious.
Anyway, I’d love your thoughts.
Daniella said:
Mar 25, 09 at 5:57 pmDid you hear about the Ikea Car rumor? http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10203250-71.html
Mike said:
Mar 25, 09 at 9:57 pmIkea car? April Fools?
Daniella said:
Mar 26, 09 at 12:54 pmYeah apparently it might be an April Fools! There were also a couple of articles about the Nano in this week’s Economist.
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13381522&fsrc=rss
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13381480&fsrc=rss
denis said:
Apr 29, 09 at 1:52 pmI’m kind of conflicted about this as well. On one side, I’m fascinated with the idea of mobility for everyone and the jaw-droppingly low price, sort of in the same way that I’m fascinated with Ryanair in Europe.
My other side howls in horror for the wave of autos that could be unleashed upon India. As you rightly said, they’re already overwhelmed by congestion. And although we’re in no position to criticize the average Indian for buying a car when our environmental footprint dwarfs theirs, we are in the position to help them leapfrog over the kinds of mistakes that we made in the 20th century. So perhaps the catastrophe isn’t the car itself, but rather the nation’s reaction. Will it build freeways in a misguided attempt to “reduce congestion” – The China Approach? Or will it take a firm stance against the impending flood of asphalt and instead spend that money on rail and transit infrastructure, which will transport many, many more people per dollar – The Bogota Approach?
Here’s a video that explains some of what Bogota has done:
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/bus-rapid-transit-bogota/