Would you buy an electric car?

[NateDN10]

Right now, electric cars carry a serious price premium over fossil-fuel powered cars. For the purpose of this discussion, lets say the cost premium is reduced similar to that of today's hybrids - somewhere in the $2500 neighborhood. Would you buy one? For the purpose of discussion, let's include plug-in hybrids as well as electric-only cars.

For me, I wouldn't buy an electric only car unless it was less expensive than a fossil fuel one. The limited range makes it too impractical. I'd consider a plug-in hybrid though, if the price was right.

 

[Torino]

Electric cars were popular around the 1900's. No, I won't buy one. John--Las Vegas.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd buy an electric/gas or diesel hybrid with either a capacitor or flywheel for energy storage for a small premium. I'm not a fan of batteries yet.
Gas would have to double though to get me into a new car for fuel economy reasons. I drive about 12,000 miles a year for commuting and it only costs about $1800 a year. That doesn't cover much in terms of depreciation.

 

[cryption]

If I could afford a leaf I would. My commute to work is 3 miles and I hate never warming up my engine.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: cryption
If I could afford a leaf I would. My commute to work is 3 miles and I hate never warming up my engine.


In Texas, ride a bike or something?
In Canada, not so easy in the winter... haha

 

[javacontour]

Premium price, even a small premium like $2500? Nope.

Discounted for the fact that it will typically have a shorter range and require daily maintenance. (Plugging it in to charge.) Would I buy if it was at a discount?

Yep, it would be the car the kids drive. They drive around town, no road trips. It wouldn't suit the needs of me or my wife. But if it could be purchases at a discount that reflects the far shorter range, then I'd consider one for the teen drivers.

 

[bepperb]

The problem is currently a hybrid or electric require a lot of compromises beside price (handling, space, complexity). That won't always be the case, though. At this rate in a decade I think your premium might be on the mark. And sure, why not especially if your household has two cars?

I think the premium would be offset by fuel savings (perhaps not in reality, but there is still value as a hedge to fuel prices) and diversity in fuel sources.

 

[Trav]

Not now,not ever.
They are the biggest farce ever perpetuated on the consumer.

I read a good article about the Leaf.
Nissan claims the equivalent of 99mpg,how on earth did they gin this number up?
As one guy pointed out it totally depends on the electricity rates.One example was..

Take a hypothetical gasoline engine that burns 4 gallons an hour and use it to power a generator,he figured it out that it would take 1 hour at the rated output of the generator being driven to fully charge the Leaf.
Did it get the equivalent of 99 mpg or 25 mpg?

IMHO moving pollution from point A to point B and using pie in the sky electric rates even when the President has said in his own words that "electricity cost will necessarily increase in price because of CO2 producing plants" make this whole electric car thing nothing more than smoke and mirrors,in one word a farce.

I think as batteries become more advanced a hybrid drive train make sense,a diesel hybrid would be my choice.
In the North East we still get electricity over telephone poles,two years ago we were without power for 17 days and more.
What do you do with this Leaf then,hook a horse up to it or try to charge it with a portable generator?

 

[Bluestream]

Yes, if I had the funds I would go out and buy a Volt today!

 

[nfs480]

I would be interested in an electric car once they get the driving range extended considerably as I routinely exceed the driving range of pretty much any production electric car today.

 

[AuthorEditor]

It would be perfect for my wife who works in multiple locations throughout the day, but none are more than a few miles apart and speeds are never over 30 between stops. Lots of stops and starts and short trips for her. But, we'd have to keep a bigger gas car for trips.

 

[addyguy]

Never. They simply wouldn't withstand regular winter driving up here.

 

[sciphi]

Assuming they'd get a real-world 120 mile range in hills in the winter, yes. 120 miles would cover 95% of my weekly driving.

Presently, heck no. The hills and interstates around here would eat a Leaf alive.

 

[friendly_jacek]

It's not a question of if but when.

Two words: peak oil.

 

[crinkles]

I would if they came down in price to say $5k over regular versions (so $25 vs $20k), but:
1. Only for commuting
2. If australia's power grid uses more renewables (or nuclear).

I'd keep a large gas car for the weekends and long trips beyond 100 miles.
Frankly the way electricity rates are going in New South Wales, I would NOT want to plug my car into the wall socket, my bank account will drop as it charges!!

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
It's not a question of if but when.

Two words: peak oil.


No, not until I see them around for 10 years and see how they hold up in the long run.

John

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

No, not living in MI where the temps can get to -30F + and with an 82 mile commute every day. The other factor is battery life. I typically buy new and drive them for 200K to 250K. Today's internal combustion engines can do that with decent maintenance. Batteries in electric cars typically carry a (and I stand to be corrected) 100K 8 yr warranty but will deplete in efficiency as they reach the end of the warranty. As an example my 7 yr old IBM ThinkPad when new use to go for about 4 hrs on a charge. Now I am below 2 hrs. For cars replacement batteries are MEGA $$$ too.

 

[boxcartommie22]

noooooo..i love my big american gas engines!!

 

[rjundi]

I am stuck on manual transmission vehicles that are fun to drive. I get bored driving automatic shifting vehicles and likely would be with an electric car.

 

[Oregoonian]

What if the power grid go down (terrorist atack)???

Of course if it does go down....we wouldn't be able to pump gas either.