Segway’s green image at risk?

August 4, 2008

Ever seen a Segway in your neighbourhood? My perception was that this hip transporter, “which represents the next generation in personal mobility”, stood out for being green. It added a “sillicon valley”, high tech, make-the-world-a-better-place- kind of taste to transportation. Hard core sustainability types may therefore be a bit surprised (disappointed?) to see pictures in the newspaper of Chinese anti-terrorist troopers riding Segways. (front page today’s Financieele Dagblad). Whether the Segway is an effective tool for this purpose is discussed on the internet. AutoblogGreen states: “ maybe the S.W.A.T. team hopes to stun their opponents with disbelief to win the day.”
I know that financial institutions struggle a lot with their “defence policies”. The defence industry is analysed in detail. What companies can they finance? What weapon systems do they sell, are these “controversial”? Who are their business partners? And what to do with a big industrial conglomerate, which has a small defence outlet? Should the client relationship be terminated? Has Segway now entered into this domain? It claims to be a green vehicle. Which also suits the police and government, to which Segway dedicated a part of its website.
Just to be sure: I don’t think Segway is in a different position than any kitchen knife manufacturer. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the company is ready to answer some nasty questions. And I'm sure they will be grilled by some sustainability raters. But ofcourse Segway is well prepared to defend their green image. Lessons leant of paratroopers?


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