Who would buy an electric car?

Question

I think we need them.

Answer 1

i would only if it had a built in dr pepper dispenser

Answer 2

I have bought one,

turn the question around - who would buy a smelly, noisy. clunky, complicated, high maintenance infernal combustion car that can't be refueled at home or work, depending on finite fuel supplies from across the world, often from environmentlaly or politically sensitive areas, expensive refineries & distribution networks...?

I would only buy a fossil fuel car if

) It must have a range on $10 of fuel of at least 200 miles at highway speed

2) At the end of this range, it must be able to meet all of the following performance criteria:

a) cruise at a speed of at least 80mph

b) accelerated from 0-60 in no more than 5 seconds

c) maintain a comfortable interior temperature when the outside temperature is as high as 100F or as low as 0F

d) carry two adults in reasonable comfort and also carry sufficient luggage for a one week vacation

3) When it needs refueling (at the end of the 200 mile range) it will take only 10 minutes to do so, at home or work, with no queing to pay

4) It will go for a minimum of 150,000 miles without requiring major repairs or replacements.

5) It will cost no more than US$40,000.

A mass produced electric vehicle using current technology could meet all the above.

when you could have a smooth, high torque vehicle 200mile range, recharge in 10 minutes ...

the technology is available for an SUT like http:www.phoenixmotorcars.com, and it could be fitted with a drinks dispenser as easy as any other.

the cost of mas producing electric cars should be lower as they require less components and rare composite metal components. but the cost of setting up a production line is prohibitive to start-up companies, and GM et al are happy turning out noisy clunky last century technology.

Answer 3

My wife and I bought a Hybrid Honda. She loves it. 40 in the city, and 50 hwy miles. She fills it up for $35 and it last her 3 weeks going 25 minutes to work every weekday.

Answer 4

I'd like to point out that electric cars DON'T simply move pollution from the "tail pipe to the smoke staff". Electric drive is far more energy efficient than a gas powered drive. And to add to that gas engines are only ~30% efficient, where as power stations can be over 50%. In other words power stations a much better at getting more power for the same amount of fuel.

Answer 5

I would only if the electricity used to charge the batteries came from solar power.

Answer 6

I would not buy any of the currently available electric cars.   I would only consider an electric car with the following minimum qualifications:

1) It must have a range on a single charge of at least 200 miles at highway speed

2) At the end of this range, it must be able to meet all of the following performance criteria:

a) cruise at a speed of at least 80mph

b) accelerated from 0-60 in no more than 12 seconds

c) maintain a comfortable interior temperature when the outside temperature is as high as 100F or as low as 0F

d) carry two adults in reasonable comfort and also carry sufficient luggage for a one week vacation

3) When it needs recharging (at the end of the 200 mile range) it will take only 10 minutes to do so, and it will be rechargeable at 1000's of convenient locations in both the city and on the highway

4) It will go for a minimum of 150,000 miles without requiring major repairs or replacements.

5) It will cost no more than US$40,000.

Answer 7

Checkout the Chevy Volt.

This will be a great commuter car.

This next comment is from the Chevy Volt page

If you’re lucky enough to live less than 20 miles away from work, you could drive solely on electricity every day. That means zero gasoline and zero emissions. Recharge Concept Chevy Volt every night with a common 110-volt household outlet. Then drive it up to 40 miles daily on a single electric charge.

Wide-scale use of electric-powered vehicles such as Concept Chevy Volt would help reduce our dependence on petroleum products.

Estimated annual gasoline savings: 500 gallons

Estimated cost savings: $900 after using electricity to recharge

Assumes price of gasoline is $2.40 and equivalent costs of electricity from grid are $0.60/gallon, $300 annually. 40-mile range based on EPA city cycle. Actual range may vary depending on driving habits and driving conditions. Fuel economy estimates based on GM simulation data.

Follow the link below for more information

Answer 8

I agree 100 %, I am positive someone will develop an affordable functioning electric car and they will become so stinking rich. Then instead of having Gas stations on every block there will be battery exchange stations. These will be like the propane exchange places where you would drive in pay for a charged up battery and they would pop it in your car and off you would go.

I have seen figures that the USA imports 40 billion dollars worth of Oil every Month. Somebody with more brains then me will tap into that kind of funds and gas cars will go the way of the 8 track tape.

Answer 9

Yeah!--If it will get 0-60 in under 5 sec.

Answer 10

I would.  I already bought an electric moped and would have bought an electric car if I could afford one.

I'd really like to buy one of these EVs that will be available around 2009:

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx...

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/04/03/...

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

Answer 11

Sounds cool... if the battery problems can be solved... charging stations need to be available.... and a power source other than fossil fuels such as nuclear needs to be on line.... otherwise one just moves the pollution from the exhaust pipe to the smoke stack. Now, hydrogen fuel cells would be a good solution.... but still one needs a clean source of electricity to produce the hydrogen.

Answer 12

I would if I could afford one.  They're not cheap or moderately priced.

Answer 13

i definately would! i love the new smart cars. =)

Answer 14

We may need them, but at this time they are not really efficient OR affordable.

Where I live, I couldn't get to town and back with most of them, nor could I haul the necessary loads.  

For 'in town' use they would work, but so do electric streetcars and busses that are much more efficient at moving people in a city!  It is called MASS TRANSIT.

Answer 15

The first cars were all electric (that's why they are refered to as MOTOR cars). Electric trucks were used as a quiet way of delivering the early morning milk in the early 50's. Electric two wheel scooters are cheap to run and faster than many petrol versions. Electric cars have been on the roads for many years.I think that they are a good investment for the driver that travels only a modest mileage each day. In Scandinavian countries they have electric vehicles coupled to solar cells mounted on the roof of the owners carport.Some employers provide a similar carport charging system at the place of work. Electric cars are a good way to go in the future,as they produce no polution, are almost maintenance free ( no need for gear-box ) or a heavy cooling system. By christmas we will all be looking to buy one......!

Answer 16

It depends on where it got the electricity-

1.  Battery.  Today's battery technology is pitiful.  It would be a decent commuter car, but road trips would be out of the question.

2.  Solar.  Solar powered cars have been made to prove it could be done.  They're not roadworthy.

3.  Supercapacitor.  This is beyond today's technology, but I've heard of people working on it.  I don't know if it will ever work as well as gasoline.

4.  The power gird.  This would be awesome, but nobody's rushing to electrify the roads.  I've seen electric busses and trains, plus bumper cars are electric.  I don't think it would work too well though because there would be an electrocution hazard if a power line accidently got pulled down by a malfunctioning card.  If this was available, I'd definitely want to take a test drive at least.  Anyone here ever driven an electric bus?