Who killed the electric car?

Question

...and if electric cars in Japan are 100% more fuel efficient, why can we not order one from Japan?

Answer 1

It's amazing how people think that technology hasn't changed in 30 years, and that electric cars can never improve.
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Technology does not stand still. Take a look at a modern electric car:
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http://phoenixmotorcars.com/models/fleet.html
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The Phoenix electric pickup truck - using new, advanced Altairnano batteries (based on research from MIT) - can:

-Travel up to 250 miles per charge
-Carry 5 passengers plus cargo at 95mph.
-Charges batteries in as little as TEN MINUTES.
-Has batteries that last 250,000 miles (never need replacement.)
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Of course it is expensive ($45,000), because it is hand-built, and it is new technology. Even Henry Ford had to build cars, at first, for the wealthy before he could afford to build a Model T factory.
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Is it possible to build inexpensive electric vehicles? Yes, it is, with mass production. Example - look at these Chinese electric cars, priced in American dollars - note that prices start at only $6500:
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http://www.fevehicle.com/services.html
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Is someone working on a deal to import Chinese electric cars? Yes, they are, we should see a couple of them here in the next year or two. It should be VERY interesting.
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Incidentally, even if powerplants pollute, EVs cause very little of that pollution. This is because the gas cars they replace pollute much, much more. Click on my profile to see some of my discussions on this topic.
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Answer 2

I didn't know it was dead. The big problems are electric cars cost quite a bit more than a gasoline powered car. They don't go as far, there are few places to recharge them. The cost to own is so much more, the fuel savings isn't worth it.
They pollute, too. Yeah, I know, but think about where the electricity that recharges the batteries comes from....nuclear, gas, oil, and coal fired powerplants. There's very little hydro (and that affects the fish and environment, too) wind, or solar. Also, what are the batteries made of and where do you dispose of them. They are hazardous waste.

Answer 3

I doubt that there is an electric car that can satisfy the average US consumer. It would need to be capable of doing at least 70 mph (more like 100 mph for those who like to speed). It would need a lot of acceleration. It would need to be able to carry quite a load and a lot of passengers. It would also need to look pretty stylish. It would need little maintenance. All for a small price tag.

It is economics that killed the electric car in the US. There may be a supply but the demand is next to zero here.

Answer 4

The electric car is alive and well. And, you can order anything you like from Japan.
The electric car is substantially more expensive than a comparable gasoline model. It also is not very practical. You have to find a place to plug it in when it needs charging which might not be at your home. It is limited in the distance you can go before it needs a charge. It is not nearly as fast as the gasoline cars. And on and on.

Answer 5

Because consumers would rather give their money to Americans and Canadians but think for a second. Think of how much C02 is released when these cars are shipped from halfway around the world.

Answer 6

the market place killed the electric car with a little help from BIG oil, BIG government, crooked politicians, indifferent consumers and a biased mass media.

Answer 7

killed it self with high cost. the batterys alone cost 40,000 dollars. and you only get 40 to 60 miles before you have to plug in..Hybred is way better.

Answer 8

The Oil Industry, who else?

Answer 9

I did, he was really starting to piss me off so I just hid his recharging station.....I didn't mean to go that far man, it just...happened.