Where can I buy an electric car ? I only need a 20 mile range (10 miles to work and back) ?

Question

I'm tired of seeing gas prices going up and up and I'd like to buy an electric car. I know that the range of these things isn't great but all I need is one with a 20 to 30 mile range. If one isn't available with that range then I'll just pull a trailer loaded with 2000 lbs of Deep-Cycle batteries and that should give me about a 40 to 50 mile range. Those types of batteries cost only about $80 each, really cheap for the power they hold, but they're as heavy as heck so they'd break the car's suspention. Best to tow it behind on its own trailer.

So who makes electric cars here in North America?

If nobody makes any, then perhaps I should start a company converting small cars to electric power. ( used Yaris, echo, civics, etc) ??

Answer 1

It depends on what top speed you require.  As long as you're staying on roads with speed limits below 40 mph, your best bet is currently the ZAP Xebra.  It goet up to 40 mph, 25 miles per charge, and costs ~$11,000.

http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicle...

There are also several neighborhood electric vehicles like the Zenn which have a top speed of 25 mph and a somewhat longer range.

http://www.zenncars.com/

http://www.milesev.com/index.asp

Within the next year or two several companies will be coming out with high-speed long-range EVs as well.  In the ballpark of 100 mph, 100 miles per charge, at a cost of $30k-60k.

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

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

http://www.milesev.com/

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

Biking to work is not a bad suggestion.  My 13 mile commute takes about an hour each way on bicycle.  I use an electric scooter during the winter though.

Which by the way is another thing to consider.  You can get an electric scooter with a 30 mile range and 30 mph top speed for under $2000.  Much cheaper than an electric car and with similar performance, as long as you don't mind not being enclosed.

http://www.skeuter.com/products.htm

http://www.evfinder.com/

Answer 2

Start a conversion company, be a thorn in the side of the oil industry. check out this site

www.evcanada.org

www.canev.com

www.evparts.com

www.acpropulsion.com

with the lithium battery technology, and the improvements that are on going, the pure electric car makes sense. some of you out there still think electric cars are slow. guess again. check this site out.

www.plasmaboyracing.com

Answer 3

Try LaCompras.com.  They have quite a few listed.

http://www.lacompras.com/pm/Electric-Car...

You can also check

http://www.hybridauction.org/pm/Electric...

Answer 4

look into getting a citicar or commutacar.  They are pretty funny looking, but it's a pure electric car designed specifically for commuting.  Has about a 30-40 mile range, and tops out around 30-35 mph.  I've got one in storage that I'm renovating that was made in the late 70's.  They aren't that expensive, and are pretty simple to work on.  Plus, there is a fabulous support network online to help you out.

There is one listed on ebay right now for $2500.  Not a bad way to go really... as long as you don't mind people making funny looks.  I've had nothing but curiosity everywhere I take mine.

good luck!

Answer 5

Tesla has one but it is a 100,000$ car. Have fun.

Answer 6

http://www.revaindia.com/revaworldwide.h...

Answer 7

@ hybrid: of course electric cars car be independent from oil/coal or nuclear "made" electricity.. ever thought about using solar energy to power up an electric car?

Answer 8

I applaud your concern but you have to look beyond just the commute. How well the vehicle is ready to commute is a big player in your over-all scheme. I've just gone through a terrible ice storm that deposited an 1in. of ice onto everthing exposed. I've seen cars left running for at least 2 hours just to clear the windshield-(not counting the 30 minutes just to get into it to start it!). What I suggest is-how willing are you to spend energy to make your commute safe?

Answer 9

I think electric cars are a great idea, but I'm not sure they really reduce power consumption since you need to charge them up from your home and we burn coal to make electricity.

I was also curious why we think gas prices are so bad.  I looked at a graph (see link below) and gasoline has gone up only $1.25 a gallon in nearly 40 years.  That makes it more economical than milk and fruit and eggs and bread and everything else we need to survive.

Just curious why we get angry when gas prices goes up but don't seem to mind when other things go up at a much larger rate.  Is it the media that makes oil producers the villains?

Now I think we should be energy independant and not depend on the middle east for oil, but that would require drilling more at home.  So I'm for drilling for more oil at home and also using nuclear power for electricity.  Can we vote on that?

Answer 10

Why drive a car, why not bike to work, seriously.   10 miles would only take about 20-30 minutes...  some people spend that in rush hour in a car driving the same distance as you...

Check it out!  It's both economical and healthy!

Answer 11

I second Mike S on the bike to work idea. Lots of ppl  do that even in cold climates. Great mind and body workout.

I'd say about 40 min avg on a light road bike with you in shape, shorter with favorable wind.

Answer 12

bay REVA is good and chip