What would it take for you to buy an Electric Car?

Question

Any feedback on this appreciated...

here's what's going on with electric cars now- do any of these cars interest you?
http://electriccarinsider.blogspot.com

Answer 1

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Yes, I would love to drive a Tesla (0 to 60 in 4 seconds, 250 miles between charges.) http://www.teslamotors.com
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Sure, there are disadvantages, but they are offset by advantages. We wouldn't be having a debate about whether motorcycles should be for sale. That's because people realize that motorcycles excel in some ways, and therefore have their place - even though they're not for all people! So why not electric cars, too?
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There is a lot of misinformation about electric cars in peoples' heads, much of it put there indirectly by the oil interests. To address just a few of these misconceptions:
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- EVs do not pollute like gas cars do (powerplant emissions are far lower than tailpipe emissions, when all factors are considered.)
-EV batteries are not environmental hazards (they are recycled, and pose less risk than the used motor oil coming from gas cars)
- EV motors can be made with the same horsepower ratings as gasoline engines, giving equivalent or even better performance.
- The heavy battery problem has been largely solved. New EVs have ranges of 200 miles and up, and battery packs that last for 100,000 miles or more.
- EVs do not need to be expensive. Electric motors have only ONE moving part, and are much easier to make than gas engines. All it takes to make cheap EVs is mass production.
- EVs are not dangerous. Electricity is safer than gasoline. we have just become used to the dangers of gasoline.
- EVs are not complicated to service - they are much easier and cheaper. Electric motors need NO maintenance, no oil, no coolant, no filters, NOTHING. Regenerative braking even keeps brake pads from wearing out.
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Unfortunately, new EVs coming out in Europe and Asia may not make their way over to the US, and I'll leave the reader to puzzle out why. Here's one that may be imported next year, if it passes the tough tests for US road certification:
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http://www.milesautomotive.com/products_xs200.html
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It gets 200 miles per charge, goes 80mph, and will cost $28500. If this seems pricy, remember that a typical driver can save almost $200/month in fuel costs (electricity only costs a penny or two per mile.) Subtract that amount from the car payment, and you'll see how cheap an EV can really be.
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Answer 2

Right now.....a lobotomy. At this time there is no electric car out there that has nearly the performance characteristics of what I have in my driveway now. I like power and I like to be able to drive hundreds of miles with minimal stoppage.
And quite frankly, I'm not a big believer in electric cars being the saviour of the environment that some people seem to think. That electricity to recharge them is coming from somewhere and if it's a fossil fuel burning electrical generation plant, you still harming the environment significantly.
Show me some real numbers and we'll talk. Til then, I'm pumping gasoline through my V-8 Ford.

Answer 3

What would it take for you to buy an Electric Car?

Batteries that will hold a charge for more than 100 miles. My daily commute is about 65 miles round trip, and I occasionally go shopping or out to eat after work. I want a car that will go at least 100 miles between charges at Interstate highway speeds. 200 miles would be even better!

Answer 4

I would want/need an electric car that got at least 100 miles per charge at speeds of 70 - 80 mph. It would have to handle mountain roads and bad weather.

I live 45 miles away from work in the mountains in an area that rains an average 70+ inches a year.

Answer 5

300 - 400 mile range between charges. At least 80 MPH capability and 75MPH sustained cruise. 0-60 times of at least 8 seconds

Oh yeah, and here's the show-stopper: Able to recharge the batteries in less than 10 minutes.

Electric vehicles may have a place in an urban environment where trip durations are short but in a suburban or rural environment there is little hope of significant market share until the limitations of battery power are solved, especially recharge times.

Fuel cells have a far better chance of long-term success since they potentially can be quickly refuelled.

Answer 6

I just going to make my own. This design has worked in the past. It, a Hybrid that actually gets about 100 miles per gallon. I want to modify this to incorporate Air Conditioning so the mileage may drop some I figure 10 mile gallon drop for extras so should still get 90 MPG.
Sorry on that Gas Milage, I had to check to be sure. It only gets 75 MPG. But I hope for the cost to do this, it be OK.

Answer 7

An electric car that could keep up on the pike, fit my 6'4" husband and was in a reasonable price range would be all it would take for us. We're already wanting a hybrid, but can't afford one right now.

Answer 8

Give it the same power under the hood ,make it equally as sexy as any normal car and of course try not to make so much fuss about it being electric....Hollywood could also invest into making it cool to drive one...right now gas automobilia is still gong ho

Answer 9

If they make it look cool and flashy like normal cars everyone would buy it believe me!!! Besides the look of the car doesn't harm anything it's just a skin.

Answer 10

Three things.

It would have to be affordable

It would have to last at least 300 miles between charges.

It would have to take less than 8 hours to charge back up to full capacity.