I recently watched a DVD called "Who killed the electric car" and it really opened my eyes. The technology exists RIGHT NOW to build affordable electric cars with a range of 300 miles, that go fast (Search Tesla Motors, they make one right now). SUV's can also be produced that are electric. So why aren't more people mad about this? If enough people spoke to thier elected officials and this technology was really allowed to develop, there would be NO dependency on foreign oil.
2007-01-01 05:12:22 · 15 answers · asked by Packman 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
After reading Halfway's answer, watch the DVD. Studys show that most people don't drive more than 35 to 40 miles a day. The electric car is not the answer to long range driving but is perfect for commuter or in town driving.
2007-01-01 06:19:52 · update #1
I also don't think there is a "Government conspiracy". I am not some conspriacy nut. I do think that things will stay the same until enough of us speak up about it.
2007-01-01 06:21:27 · update #2
You are asking the wrong entity. It wasn't the government who killed the electric car, it was individuals who refused to buy them. There are hybrids on the market that seem to be doing somewhat better. The cost has prevented many from purchasing these electric cars. If they could get the range and performance up to be competitive with fossil fuels, then they would find a market. Unfortunately, GM and the other U.S. automobile manufacturers refuse to make the long term commitment do develop the market. Don't look to the government to solve the problem. Government has never solved any problem. All they do is pile on lots of regulations which can make many things more expensive. The only people who are preventing these cars from being produced are the manufacturer's and consumer. If the American consumer demanded electric cars, they would produce them.
2007-01-01 07:08:31 · answer #1 · answered by Flyby 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If Tesla has the technology to build this car, then why don't they offer a copetitively priced one?
Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the free market ot produce the cars and make them competitive with gasoline cars?
Why is it the governments responsibility to do this?
If more people wrote to the auto manufacturers and demanded an electric vehicle, as opposed to demanding from the governmet, I think the transition would move along faster. The market responds to demand quicker than the government does.
I agree that there is a need and a responsibility of all citizens to become independant of foreign oil, but the giovernment isn't going to effect that change.
2007-01-01 06:35:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although solar panels produce DC current most often we convert this to AC using an inverter. Traditionally this was a stand alone box but more recently it is being added to panels. The EV must have a charger to convert AC power into DC voltage acceptable to the batteries. It might be possible to eliminate both the inverter and the charger and recharge the batteries directly from DC voltage directly from from solar panels. This would require the proper number of panels be assembled to match the required DC voltage. Some will allow their solar panels system to sell power to the utility during the day and then buy electricity at night to charge their EV as 1/2 price for off peak power (time of use metering plus net metering) In this way the grid is effectively used as a storage medium with interest without ever storing any electricity. -- The last alternative is to use the electricity from solar panels to charge batteries or some other storage medium and then charge the EV from that stored source.
2016-05-23 03:14:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tesla has a very short range (250 miles), a high price tag ($92,000) , a long waiting list(two years), and long recharge time(4 hours.) While these are great improvements in electric technology the car is still impractical. $ .01 per mile sounds cheap but if you have to spend thousands of dollars to replace the batteries every year that savings quickly disappears. (assuming 300 recharge cycles on their battery)
I think thee Tesla is really cool and is perfect for it's intended application as a sports car. I mean who really wants to sit in a cramped sports car for more than 250 miles anyway. But if a person needs to buy one car as a commuter car and one for long distance travel most people will opt simply to buy the long distance car.
There is no government conspiracy just reasonable consumers who might need to drive more than 250 miles in one day.
2007-01-01 05:44:47 · answer #4 · answered by halfway 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I look at my hydro bill I have to think to myself - an electric car is the last thing I need to add to that bill lol
What I would like to see is for them to finally come up with a Solar Power Vehicle - the Sun doesn't cost us anything to use!
Maybe at this years Panasonic World Solar Challenge which will be held in October - maybe someone will have come up with a great idea that has some of the trouble spots solved. They have been working on this since the early 1990's.
The other one I see out there that they say will be available 2010-2018 (depending on what car company you read about) is the hydrogen mix cars. But at the going rate of $84,000 its kinda steep (ya a solar car would be high too lol)
So I guess we will have to see who gets what out first.
2007-01-01 05:43:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that it makes sense is the biggets reason for it. First the oil people do have political pull as much as some hate to admit. People don't want to give up the horsepower. There is also the the matter of disposing of the expended battery material. Acid, heavy metals, and other materials used in production. I'd like to get one, not because I'm a tree hugger, but I want to wwatch the Arab economy get what's coming. hmmm that may be a selling point. "Stick it to OPEC...go electric!"
2007-01-01 09:01:39 · answer #6 · answered by vaughndhume 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Big Oil Owns America. Big oil stops all competition. They hate competition. Now go look up who contributes the the Republcan Party. There you will find truth. BTW, I have a electric car.
Ethanol and Hydrogen power is the real Answer not Batteries. Big oil is also killing that progress.
2007-01-01 09:12:32 · answer #7 · answered by jl_jack09 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I had a question about cars I sure wouldn't ask the government for an answer. Car questions should be answered by the automobile manufacturers.
You didn't ask a question, instead you made a request. Sorry, I'm not going to ask my government anything about cars.
2007-01-01 07:24:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because like anything that's new, you have to pay for the R & D the first few years until they've made their money back.
2007-01-01 12:18:44 · answer #9 · answered by mstrywmn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The goernment is not in the automobile manufacturing business.
2007-01-01 11:16:35 · answer #10 · answered by rhymingron 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋