With gas and oil prices soaring, what are the predictions on how soon we will be switching to electric cars?

Question

and solar powered vehicles and other alternatives. ... And how is this going to effect the economy ie initial cost and then? Also what's stopping this happining sooner than latter ... graft, mafia, oil dependent nations and people ,econ upheaval , resistant to change, etc.?

Answer 1

Well, in the purist sense...the switch is on now.  Hybrids, E85 and biodeisel are just the start.

Now if you mean a complete abandonment of Internal Combustion Engines...no f-n way!  Not without an Act of Congress, and that wouldn't go over well with the public.

I'd never be content with a pure electic car as my sole means of transportation.  I love to go fast, I love to race, I love to customize, I love the sound of a V8 with open headers!  

But that doesn't mean EV's don't have their place.  I'd love for all the Hippies, Greenies, Wimps, Car-Ignorant and such to have the oppurtunity to own EV's.   That way they don't waste my gas.  Save the ICE's for my Hot Rod Brethren.

Answer 2

You need to use Lithium-ion  batteries. These are still being developed for large sizes suitable for cars. You still have to charge the battery with electricity, but could use the cars energy going down hill to recharge the battery. Possibly you could use solar power to recharge a spare battery at home. See http://www.shareworld.co.uk/articles/lit...

There is a lot of power wasting through a cars tyres and the road. How could you harness this? When you drive over cat's eyes maybe the movement could be converted into electricity?

Answer 3

most markets still produce electricity with coal or other fossil fuels. by making cars that run on electricity, your just shifting the burden to electric companies. that's why hybridshave taken off, you don't have to plug it in, and you create the energy with the smaller gas motor.

Answer 4

1) Gasoline prices in the U.S. are still below their all time highs (which occured in 1984).

2) There are no electric cars available today that can compete with conventional fueled cars on an economic basis.

Until this changes, electric cars will be nothing more than overpriced toys.

Answer 5

All-electric cars are waiting on battery technology.  There is no certainty when, or if, batteries light enough, small enough, cheap enough, and environmentally friendly enough will be available.  Until then, hybrids are the best bet so far.

So far as pollution goes, we must switch to nuclear power plants as soon as sensible people can convince most others to stop listening to the nuclear phobic wackos who see mushroom clouds every time they hear the word.

Answer 6

The one EV car I currently have (have 2 vehicles that run on hydrogen also) I converted from a vw bug and is free to charge. As I live completely off the grid all my electricity comes from solar panels and 2 wind generators, which I a;sp built.

However I did charge up at Costco in Carlsbad California (I actually only drove up there to fill up) if I remember right it was around $2.00

Here’s a list of other places you can charge up, don’t know if there are any prices though.

http://www.evchargernews.com/#regions

Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it your self, but I’d be willing to walk you step by step threw the conversion. I've converted 3 of my own cars (a datsun truck, ford ban, and a vw bug) and a few for neighbors. I've also converted cars to run on hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel, by far EV is the easiest.

If you’re interested here’s what it would entitle…

- The engine compartment is first cleaned out of any gasoline components.

- Electric components are then installed in exchange.

- A battery bank is built and incorporated.

- Existing starter and driving systems are connected.

- Turn the key, step on the gas pedal sending more energy to the electric motor, & thus more power to the drive system, which in return creates more speed, more acceleration.

- The system has normal automotive top speeds and acceleration, typical to the vehicle your modifying. If your top speed was 85 mph and your acceleration was 1 mile per min, then this will be what your left with after the conversion.

The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.

Typical tools, hardware & supplies are used, making access to parts available for all.

Electric Conversions can be easily accomplished in ANY model vehicle, even tractors, Generators, types of machinery, etc.

Project lengths range from 1 day to 1 month.

If you’re interested I wrote a guide on it which is available at www agua-luna com

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming, Receive a FREE Solar Panels Now!!!

Answer 7

watch oil prices will come down just when companies try to sell large numbers electric cars.

then when the companies give up on electric cars oil will go through the roof again.

this has been going on since the late 60s with small cars and SUVs

Answer 8

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 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 2009, the Miles Javlon will cost $30-35,000 with a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.milesev.com/index.asp#hsv.swf

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 9

I'm becoming convinced that plug in hybrids are our best choice for now.  There is a website called Plug in Partners that has a lot of good information on why that is.

  Since most people only drive a short distance most days, they would hardly ever be running on the gasoline motor.   It only cost about $1 to charge up the battery overnight.  

On longer trips you would use more gas, but you would probably average about 100 mpg overall, since this would be offset by all the days you hardly use any gas.

http://www.pluginpartners.org/

  And it's not true that the grid is too dirty for this.

Yes, the grid needs to be much cleaner energy, but it is already far cleaner than running on gasoline or deisel for transport.   Natural gas, nuclear, wind, hydro geothermal, and solar all add cleaner energy to the grid than the gasoline.

On top of that, there are huge hidden costs to gasoline and oil that you are not paying at the pump.  These would add several dollars per gallon to the price.  These costs include huge fossil fuel industry subsidies, especially for oil, huge military costs of protecting oil shipments, and huge health and environmental costs from the pollution.

Eventually we will have a much cleaner grid, and the electric car technology is advancing rapidly.  And I wouldn't rule out the eventual use of fuel cells in cars.

Answer 10

don' forget, both American and Canadian governments put billions of dollars into the coffers of the oil industry. that money should be put into developing zero emissions technology. electric cars can't compete? go to www.plasmaboyracing.com    and have a look at this little electric car that will beat a 'vette in the 1/4 mile. battery technologies have greatly improve in recent times. you can also go to www.electrifyingtimes.com lots of reading here. the ultimate change will depend on the consumer. get into the faces of politicians and demad change, or continue to go thru life with your heads up where  the sun does not shine.

Answer 11

First off - Agua Luna, way to go in living completely off the grid!  I am impressed and am working on doing that, too.

Now then:  The price of gas rising is bad news for the short term but good news for the long term.  I say this because the main reason that other forms of fuel have not been able to get a foothold in the USA (and the world) has been due to relative expense factors and convenience.  Petrochemical based fuels are cheaper and more convenient than any other form of energy for general usage today.  As the price of this form of energy goes up, the relative price of alternative energies becomes more attractive.  This is not only in reference to individual usage, but in paying for the infrastructure required to distribute whatever alternative energy being considered.

Electric cars are nice.  but let's face it, there is not much punch there when you push on the accelerator.  We have become accustomed to being able to accelerate quickly and electricity is viewed by many (including me) as a weak alternative to gasoline powered vehicles.

Personally, I am a fan of hydrogen powered vehicles.  You still get all of the power of an internal combustion engine, but the exhaust is only pure water vapor.  Mercedes is coming out with a production hydrogen car this year and I can hardly wait to see the field testing results!  For those who are global warming worriers on this, I have an idea, but I am working on that one in private with some scientist friends of mine...  I'll let you know if it works out via regular news outlets.

Added:  Oh, yeah, one other thing - current fossil fuel vehicles can be adapted to hydrogen relatively cheaply, too!

Answer 12

This is simple.....companies like general motors who built

the EV 1 want to make money on replacement parts and

the EV 1 didn't require parts, so no EV1. Oil companies

which are the worlds largest companies can control what

comes in to the market. There are a few companies making

all electric cars and hopefully they will soon introduce more

powerful batteries {lithium} the type used by NASA.

These cars cost between 12,000 and 18,000 dollars

Answer 13

As of now (gas electric) is gainning ground on M.P.G.

So the fuel consumption is decreased yet the price and to maintain is higher than the conventional vehicle

at the end of the day.

Wheres the savings if we have to buy another 30,000 dollar

vehicle.

But soley electric using hydrogen cells to aid in charging a

power pack I beleive is the future as far as transportation.

I really think the hydrogen plants, that make the hydrogen and the recepticals for filling vehicles need to get in place.

Then the efficency would be on the back of the refinery as to how the hydrogen is made and up to the auto makers to

design the safest vehicle.

But to really answer your question until the oil companys

can make a buck from switching over it will only be then

it will happen.

We are in a period of change as the global investors just play on gasoline stocks and at the same time sale some more gas.

I think its malicious as it is just merely another war on the economic front for the price of fuel.