why don't you buy the battery powered car and help the environment?

Answer 1

I did buy an electric scooter for my commute to work and a Prius for when I need a car.

Right now there aren't any affordable long-range high-speed electric cars available, but this will change in the next year or so.

Available in late 2008 or early 2009, the ZAP Alias will cost $30,000, have a top speed of 100 mph, and a range of 100 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-alias

Soon thereafter the ZAP-X will be available at a cost of $60,000 with a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 350 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-x

Available in late 2008 or early 2009, the Miles Javlon will cost $30,000 with a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.milesev.com/

Available in October 2008, the Aptera typ-1e will cost under $30,000 with a top speed of 95 mph and range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Soon thereafter Aptera will introduce the typ-1h, a plug-in hybrid version of the typ-1e with a 40-60 mile range on purely electrical energy, and a range of over 600 miles total when in electric/gas hybrid mode, for around $30,000. On a 120 mile trip, the typ-1h will get 300 miles per gallon. The shorter the trip, the higher the efficiency.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Phoenix Motorcars will start selling their SUT to individuals in late 2008 or early 2009. It will cost $45,000 and have a top speed of 100 mph with a range of 100+ miles per charge.

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

Answer 2

Because the cost of the vehicle cost more than the average buyer can afford to spend.

For any environmental solution to be truly effective, it mus be affordable to the masses.

This way the vehicles would be out there in sufficient quantities to really make a difference.

They also do not have the range to be practical for all uses. An electric car like the Chevy Volt concept car would make a great commuter car for short trips, but it would take forever to go cross country, having to stop every 45 minutes to spend a couple hours to recharge the battery pack.

And electric vehicles don't really save the environment. They only shift the source of the greenhouse gas from the vehicle to the gas, oil, or coal fired power plant producing the electricity.

Answer 3

Mad Jack - The Chevy Volt would NOT have to stop and recharge. It has a small combustion engine that can be used to recharge the batteries on the go.

I own a Prius now and when the Volt is available at a reasonable price, I will go that direction.

Answer 4

What source does the electricity come from that's used to charge the electric car's batteries?

Chances are, it's coming from COAL, NUCLEAR, HYDROELECTRIC, NATURAL GAS, with a slim chance of it coming from a "renewable" or "environmentally friendly" resource such as wind, solar, or geothermal...

Electric cars being "zero emission" is a myth. The car itself might be zero emission, but somewhere, emissions are being generated to provide the electricity to charge those batteries... And if I remember correctly, the batteries are only good for three to five years before they need to be replaced - at a cost of about $4000.

Answer 5

When Battery power improves and they find a way of improving the current electricity supply then I might consider it.

Answer 6

Because the only one that meets my needs costs almost 50% more than an equivelent gasoline powered car.

Answer 7

As soon as this car bites the dust, Yep getting a hybrid, hopefully plug-ins will be ready.

Answer 8

When the price of replacing the battery comes down, I will.

Answer 9

because they are not a viable replacement for petrol cars due to the serious restrictions and limits.

Answer 10

You donate the money and I will head right out and buy one.