Why is it that we always see/read about these inovative new cars on the web, and in the news?

Question

But then we NEVER see them on the road. I read all the time about these new cars that get anywhere from 50-??? MPG, and never see anyone driving them. Also, We always hear about these so called electric cars, and I have yet to see one. When are they gonna release them to the general public?

Answer 1

When they can make them affordable enough for the general public to buy them.

Answer 2

To begin, Electric cars don't use cheap dirty lead batteries. they haven't used those in years. they use Lithium Ion now. and they've managed to squeeze upwards of 100,000 miles out of them before they have to be replaced.

I used to think that it was just to shut the environmentalists up. kinda "yeah see? here. we're making clean cars" and never actually produce any. That would lessen the pressure on them.

But Now i see that it is also price. NO one is going to spend 20 or 30 grand on a car when they can pick up a cheap SUV or something for a few thousand, tops

and those that WOULD spend  that much on a car aren't interested in being green. They want the fastest, flashiest V-12 sports car in the show room

Answer 3

Most of these cars are availabel and are being driven in OTHER countries, not the US.  The USA has made it so implausible with their '25 mph' speed limit you're asking to be killed.

However, the Gem, Xebra, Zenn, Miles, Current and Flybo are available to purchase now, in the US.  Most of these are selling for under $14,000.

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Answer 4

They aren't cost effective. Payback time between the price of one of the hybreds and non hybred is far to long. The batteries are lead acid and have to be replaced at some point and it costs a mint to replace one. Go to a store an price a top of the line car battery and imagine buyong 24 to 48 of them.

Answer 5

Electric cars are on the way.

Available in California in October 2008, the Aptera typ-1e will cost about $27,000 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

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/el...

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/el...

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/

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 6

The sponsoring companies are seeking quality pr, advertising for their current products and venture capital.

Answer 7

well, they always talk about them to get people interested but when you are looking to buy a car, think about it, people go for the normal brands that are easy to buy at a store and that you don't have to order from foreign countries or whatever, it's not that they haven't been released, it's just that no one buys them

Answer 8

GM is about release this version very soon! It's called the Belch-fire V12. It has Tri-4 barrel and I do mean barrel full flush fuel injection! When you step on the gas pedal it looks like someone flushed the toilet down into that engine block! Unfortunately it requires only the highest octane aviation fuel! And even then you have to add the octane booster supply with each fill up, but they claim they'll be able to remove that step as soon as Barry gets elected and offers GM a healthy development grant! With the new interlocking multi-slip torque converter 10 speed transmission they expect it to reach new levels of mileage and speed records! Get your name on the list now so you won't have to wait long to apply for the lottery for purchasing!