I admire you continued enthusiasm. But I am also old enough to know better. I was one of the first to consider adopting an electric vehicle and have been watching this technology since it first started to become commercially mature as a serious commercial product for the non-niche consumer. I would really like for your rosy view of the energy future of the US to be true.
They have yet to sufficiently address the energy production/delivery/density problems sufficiently to put my concerns to rest. And, unfortunately, in the face of the current direction of energy policy in this country, it doesn't look like they are going to in time for this to be a viable alternative to IC in our lifetimes.
They have yet to sufficiently address the energy production/delivery/density problems sufficiently to put my concerns to rest. And, unfortunately, in the face of the current direction of energy policy in this country, it doesn't look like they are going to in time for this to be a viable alternative to IC in our lifetimes.
There is no single fuel that's the "best" for all use cases. Not for automobiles, no for trucks, not for power plants, not for trains, or anything else.
The average American drives 14,263 miles per year, which is 55 miles per weekday. They can buy a Nissan Leaf with 240 miles of range for $34k ($26,500 after federal rebate). Even if that person drives double the average mileage they'll only need to charge every 4 days and it will waste less time than getting gas because they'll just let it fill up at home while they sleep. They won't have to stop on their way somewhere to do it. They will pay half the cost on average for fuel than they would for gas, and they don't have to get oil changes or brake jobs if they drive right. There's no engine air filters or spark plugs to replace.
If you need to drive more than ~400 miles in a day on a regular basis then electric cars aren't going to work well for you.
"They can buy a Nissan Leaf with 240 miles of range for $34k ($26,500 after federal rebate)." Uh-huh. "They" meaning "who" exactly? Using what for money? Getting loans from who? Making payments with what? Maybe back on your planet everything is rosy, but down here on Earth? Retailers are bitching that nobody's buying anything for Christmas. Gee. I wonder why. If Joe Lunchbox isn't buying little Billy a new bike or Suzie a new dolly for Christmas, do you really think that he's running right out to take on the payments for a new car? I've got a 30 year old Chevy pickup that I get offers on every other day. And it aint for it's looks.
Uh-huh. "They" meaning "who" exactly?
Anybody who's driving needs are less than about 62,000 miles per year.
Using what for money?
Surprisingly, the money they might use to buy a gas car is also good at dealerships that sell electric cars. Crazy, I know.
Getting loans from who?
Even more surprising, the same people who lend money for gas cars also lend money for electric cars. It's a wacky world out there, I tell ya.
Maybe back on your planet everything is rosy, but down here on Earth? Retailers are bitching that nobody's buying anything for hristmas. Gee. I wonder why. If Joe Lunchbox isn't buying little Billy a new bike or Suzie a new dolly for Christmas, do you really think that he's running right out to take on the payments for a new car?
If Joe Lunchbox can't afford a new bike or doll for his kids, he can't afford any car. One of the tragedies of being broke is that it costs more money to be impoverished. He's stuck paying a couple hundred a month for gas even though he'd only pay $50 a month for electricity.
I've got a 30 year old Chevy pickup that I get offers on every other day.
Hey, if you like paying a few hundred a month for the feeling you get knowing people want to buy your car, that's your call. I feel better with that money in my pocket for ammunition and accessories. To each his own.
(post is archived)