Saw an electric car today, but i thought they didn't exist anymore?

Question

I thought electric cars didn't exist anymore, but today my girlfriend saw a toyota rav4 EV on the street; belonged to some lady looking at a house for sale.

i'm confused.

in reference to the dvd documentary; "who killed the electric car?"

Answer 1

There still are some electric cars out there although there aren't many. The ones that are still out there are old ones. Manufacturers haven't made any in a while and they only made a few of them because the cars have a very limited range and they take a descent bit to charge up. Another reason is that many of them were only rented or leased out instead of actually being sold to individuals. That's what they were talking about regarding GM's car in the video "Who Killed the Electric Car." Because of the cost and not much marketability for the limited ability car GM recalled the electric cars it had rented out. There are a number of electric cars that could be out there. I think Ford made an electric Ford Ranger once and then as you mentioned there is the Toyota Rav4. So there are a few, just not very many.

Also, since these cars were so few and far between the chances is likely that the companies may not carry replacement parts to fix them. So when the car breaks down that could be the end of the car, quickly reducing the number you see on the road.

Answer 2

There are some good electric cars still around. My personal favorites are the Tesla Roadster and ZAP Xebra. The problem with those is that the Roadster costs $92,000 and the Xebra only goes 25 miles per charge

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php
http://zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=188

But in 2008 ZAP is coming out with two ZAP-X Crossover models. The first will be able to go up to 100 mph, 100 miles per charge, and cost $30,000. The second will be able to go up to 155 mph, 350 miles per charge, and cost $60,000. Supposedly they'll be able to recharge in 10 minutes. If these cars are anywhere near as good as the claims, I think you'll see a surge in the number of electric cars on the road.

http://zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4560

Answer 3

Well although GM was the first to the market with the EV1 they only allowed leases and then they crushed them when the lease was up. Toyota, however, sold over 300 Rav-4 Ev's to the general public before scrapping their EV program. People still own and drive these vehicles they're just very rare.

Answer 4

They still exist, much like really old cars. More and more hybrids are being made but that doesn't mean that people who bought electric cars are going to get rid of them.

I think Ed Begley Jr. still drives his electric car. In some airports, there are still charging stations.

Answer 5

well hybrid cars are actually run on both electric and gas! The gas fuels the car untill the car generates enough electric energy to run on which is when the gas fuel is cut off and instead powered by the electric it just generated.

Answer 6

Why wouldnt they exist? Theres nothing wrong about them except for the fact that most people wont buy them due to cost.

Answer 7

they do, but they are rare. And they only go a max speed of about 30 mph, and don't have that long of a battery life, so they are really only good for short trips in more urban areas.

Answer 8

Of course they still exist. In fact, they're still experimenting.

Answer 9

Did you think they all disappeared into some alternate dimension?

They are still out there. ........ Waiting.

Answer 10

i will say money money money i got no money