Why aren't politicians talking about the electric car?

Question

I mean we sold them for 2 years and now have the technology where you don't need a special plug in and it gets 300 miles a charge. The hydrogen isn't practical and the hybrid still uses gas. I want a car that never needs gas. How do you all feel?

Answer 1

Until we figure out how to generate the majority of our electricity without using carbon based fuels, the electric car does not really get you any significant reductions in carbon dioxide output.

So it does not really help you with Global Warming.

Answer 2

Logically it doesn't make sense. President Bush focuses on hydrogen, and yet the technology for hydrogen powered cars is at least 20 years away.

In fact that's precisely why it gets the attention and funding. Unfortunately people are correct that the oil industry has a lot of influence in US politics. Politicians know they can support a technology that's several decades away and sound like they're helping the environment, but in reality they're just buying time for the oil companies.

Meanwhile the tax rebate on hybrids has been cut by 75% and is scheduled to be eliminated in October of this year. Electric vehicles are on the verge of being a viable alternative, like the ZAP-X Crossover which will have two models coming out in 2008. One will cost $60,000 and be able to go 350 miles/charge, up to 155 mph, and yes, have the option for a 10 minute recharge (if you get a special recharge station - it also has the option of a regular 6 hour recharge).

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

The other model will cost $30,000, be able to go 100 miles/charge and up to 100 mph.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070622/aqf032.html?.v=9

And Phoenix Motorcars will have an electric vehicle with similar performace as well.

http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com/

The only explanation I can think of that these electric cars aren't receiving much attention or political aid the way hydrogen and ethanol are is because they're not benefitting the oil or agricultural industries.

Answer 3

Dear friend,
Your pointing towards politicians really compelled me to answer.Actually US can develope further in alternative power energy i am sure but its the matter of global comission ( bribe ) of the global leaders.Also it will loosen the global political and financial grip of US and its allies.Battery can be made any where even no need of patent copy right but petroleum products are natural resource dificult to make.The president of US mr Bush is diverting the mind of new generation americans towards hydrogen and other alternative resources and theories.
Though there are some difficulties in battery operated vehicles like :
1. slow charging
2. Expensive
3. Heavy it self
4. No long drive
5. No enough speed and power
But if we try we can over come control this problem slowly.
Suggestion: Think of cheaper battery making,Cost,battery exchange stations,cheaper charging,dont think of solar charging it will be expensive.
Start it as a club in your country.
Seperating hydrogen from water will also cost. So if your country dont have hydro power use nuclear power.
Finally I am dreaming about a satlite charger which will work like radio wave or tv channel wave to create energy in the car for recharging.

Answer 4

Electric cars are much more efficeint well to wheel than infernal combustion, even if the electric comes from fossil fuel (but don't expect the fossil fooled media to tell you that)

Big generators, constantly monitored and maintained to run at optimum temperature, load & efficiency with unrefined fuel, close to source. And high torque electric motors with regenerative braking, no consumption when stationary, re-fuel at home or work in 10 minutes or less

But mostly electric is much more pleasent to drive, quiet, smooth, smell free; and it's cheaper and lower maintenance too.

Politicians always favour the status quo; consider the restritions put on early cars - in the UK a person with a red flag had to always walk in front of them.
It is only when people start demandin that politicians change; and at the moment the big oil, global industry & media are doing an excellent job of spreading myths that evs are useless and unsustainable and suppressing demand while peddeling ever bigger 4x4s

Answer 5

Who cares about the politicians, I know of no electric car that is equipped with an air conditioner. Until you can do that Muffy and Biff (middle class America) are never going to consider and electric car.

Also note that the Tesla car can get very impressive mileage but it uses the same batteries as laptop computers. These batteries cost a surprisingly large amount to replace when you wear them out.

Run the numbers for the cost of the current electric car designs over time and they fall short of any current 38 mpg gas burner.

Answer 6

Politicians don't talk about electric cars because it is not a popular thing to talk about. Hydrogen, hybrid, and E85 powered cars are the current buzzwords that politicians use when they talk about the future of the automotive industry. They talk about E85 in the mid-west because it is popular with all the corn farmers. They talk about Hybrids because they probably traded in their big gas guzzler *cough* Obama *cough* for a hybrid solely to look "green." And last they talk about Hydrogen powered cars because they are so far off from being practical they don't risk anything by promoting the technology. Electric cars could happen today. Brush-less (AC induction) motors and new battery technology make electric cars far cheaper and more practical than hydrogen powered cars in the near-term and in the future. GMs investment in the Chevy Zolt and the Tesla Motor's Roadster might help in educating everybody that electric cars are a viable alternative. Unfortunately, politicians don't know much more about cars than whats in the Toyota Prius brochure, and whats reported in the media.

EDIT: To Mike and jdkilp:
Only 3% of the Electricity generated in the US comes from Oil itself. Over 25% of energy generated in the US comes from hydroelectric and non-polluting nuclear power alone. Even though most of our electricity comes from Coal, because of economies of scale, power generated by a coal power plant is more than twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine can ever be. An electric car can capitalize on the high efficiency of an electric motor (think the equivalence of 150mpg+) and the fact that a large portion of the power came from renewable resources today. In the future, efficiencies made in power generation as well as the deployment of more clean and renewable power generation will automatically benefit EVERY electric car on the road. Lets also not forget an electric car is not tied to ONE form of power generation. If coal suddenly becomes expensive we can still run it from a billion other fuels.

Answer 7

electric cars is the most environmentally friendliest way of going around town or out. todays electric car (tesla motor roadster) can go 250-300 miles on a full charge, charging your batteries does take oil (for now), but if u compare how much an electric car emits from the charge from power plants and gas powered cars, u will see that electric cars emit SIX TIMES LESS carbon dioxide than gas cars and thousand times less nitrogen oxide. if u decide to power your home with solar power to charge ur car then, NO CO2 will be emitted then so that is why electric cars are touted as the cleanest cars to drive.
despite all of these facts and great promises of electric cars the truth is as long as oil company still owns the politicians and demand for the politician to talk about electric cars is still in the minority, i think it'll be a long while before we get electric cars to go mainstream. these handfull of cars is a good start but more cars like these thant will go into production depends mainly on us, the individuals who have the buying power to make it happen.
I am young right now and i will get a drivers license sometime soon. when i do get a car i will make sure my first and only car will be a 100% electric one but seeing how theres not much choices and those that are out is out of my price range, i will wait and just continue to take public transport and ride my bike.

Answer 8

A basic (cheap) electric car would be quite good for commuting but, as I understand it, doesn't have the zip of a more conventional car. However I like to go on trips and would be stymied by not having places to charge them or want to spend time having batteries recharged. I accept that the high efficiency of electric cars makes them good for the environment despite the electricity often being generated from non renewable sources.

Answer 9

First, because the oil companies don't want them to. Second I have a patent on just such a vehicle, using current technology, not some future tech, and I am in the process of marketing it so if you want it tell the car companies, or the government, ( after
Mr. Bush leaves office though, because he has no intention of going against his buddies in the oil industry )

Answer 10

that's because of fact oil performs this way of huge function in our skill production and is the oldest sort of skill production we've. decision skill will play a lots larger roll interior the destiny, however the difference of this technologies will take time, money and analyze earlier it could make any actual difference. All we are able to do actual now, is take it upon ourselves to enforce those green technologies in our residences and not anticipate the government to do it for us.

Answer 11

It will never happen. The politicians have probably taken money from the PACs (Political Action Committee) with the big car and truck manufacturers, the oil lobby, gasoline lobby, and convenience store marketers. If it does happen, it will mean that our electricity will be 1000x more expensive. You won't ever get a "free" ride.