Beats finding a gas station and standing in line to fill up. A bigger waste of time than letting your car charge itself while it is parked. Besides, the car’s apps show where the charing points are.
We can’t even provide enough power to keep the lights on all summer in California without rolling brownouts… how are we going to charge millions of cars?
Once upon a time, people would say the those new automobiles were smart although you’d never be able to buy petrol in the country but you could always get hay for your horse.
On vacation a couple of years ago we rented a hybrid that was self-charging. It used a combination of fuel and electricity to operate. We drove about 300 miles and paid $20.00 for gas before returning it. The car got just over 50 MPG. Not all hybrids need an outside power source.
Electric cars are the future, but we aren’t there yet.
Mostly it has to do with battery technology. We’ve made great strides in the past couple decades, but have a ways to go.
What does it cost to replace a battery? ($4K for a hybrid, but I don’t know how much of that goes into a disposal fee for the toxic waste it contains).
Batteries are not necessarily carbonless – many are charged by coal-burning electric plants. The plants need to be converted to alternative fuel.
I can hit a gas station, pump gas, and be back on the road in under 10 minutes (except in 1973). Can I charge the battery in under 10 minutes? However, this inconvenience could be offset by the fact that I would never have to stop to get gas on my way to work.
My current car gets tremendous gas mileage and has a large tank. In theory, I can go 750 miles on a full tank under ideal conditions. In practice I did 650 miles and still had a couple gallons left. What is the range of an electric car?
As another reader pointed out, we are having enough issues meeting power demands for home and industry continuously. We are going to have to beef up the electric grid for this and other reasons.
None of these limitations mean much if you never intend to use your car other than locally and let’s face it, most of us do 95% of our driving locally. You’ll just need another car (or rent one) to visit Aunt Matilda two states over or take the kiddies to the beach.
In spite of all these limitations, I support the development of electric cars. The theory is good, the engineering still needs to catch up.
Having read the developments and the arguments about electric vs hybrid/electric, my vote for the most cost effective transitional type is the latter. 50+ mpg equivalent in nothing to ignore. Neither is the fact that the overall config requires fewer replacement parts and less general maintenance and thus lowers costs of operation. But my vote won’t count anyway. Meanwhile, I’ll just continue on with my old pick-up. Not that many years left for either of us.
With a travel distance of over 250 per charge, we never go looking for charging stations when out. Someday we might go traveling longer distances again. Was looking at cars coming out soon with over 400 miles per charge which would work for us in our leisurely travels.
I hope I live long enough to never have an electric vehicle! If one is involved in a wreck, it usually catches fire. That is a horrible way to die or live with the scars and medical conditions that go with it for the rest of your life. My brother survived a plane crash in 1981 with 3rd degree burns over 30% of his body, the other 40% were 2nd degree burns. It was touch and go for several days. Not to mention all the debridement, skin grafts, and infections. He is very blessed to be alive and living a normal life.
LookingGlass Premium Member about 3 years ago
Real world problems — NOT!!
Imagine about 3 years ago
Beats finding a gas station and standing in line to fill up. A bigger waste of time than letting your car charge itself while it is parked. Besides, the car’s apps show where the charing points are.
mywifeslover about 3 years ago
We can’t even provide enough power to keep the lights on all summer in California without rolling brownouts… how are we going to charge millions of cars?
Superfrog about 3 years ago
Once upon a time, people would say the those new automobiles were smart although you’d never be able to buy petrol in the country but you could always get hay for your horse.
Jeff0811 about 3 years ago
On vacation a couple of years ago we rented a hybrid that was self-charging. It used a combination of fuel and electricity to operate. We drove about 300 miles and paid $20.00 for gas before returning it. The car got just over 50 MPG. Not all hybrids need an outside power source.
knittyditty about 3 years ago
Question? The charging points…..do you still have to pay like a gas station?
dflak about 3 years ago
Electric cars are the future, but we aren’t there yet.
Mostly it has to do with battery technology. We’ve made great strides in the past couple decades, but have a ways to go.
What does it cost to replace a battery? ($4K for a hybrid, but I don’t know how much of that goes into a disposal fee for the toxic waste it contains).
Batteries are not necessarily carbonless – many are charged by coal-burning electric plants. The plants need to be converted to alternative fuel.
I can hit a gas station, pump gas, and be back on the road in under 10 minutes (except in 1973). Can I charge the battery in under 10 minutes? However, this inconvenience could be offset by the fact that I would never have to stop to get gas on my way to work.
My current car gets tremendous gas mileage and has a large tank. In theory, I can go 750 miles on a full tank under ideal conditions. In practice I did 650 miles and still had a couple gallons left. What is the range of an electric car?
As another reader pointed out, we are having enough issues meeting power demands for home and industry continuously. We are going to have to beef up the electric grid for this and other reasons.
None of these limitations mean much if you never intend to use your car other than locally and let’s face it, most of us do 95% of our driving locally. You’ll just need another car (or rent one) to visit Aunt Matilda two states over or take the kiddies to the beach.
In spite of all these limitations, I support the development of electric cars. The theory is good, the engineering still needs to catch up.
RickMcdermott about 3 years ago
I haven’t wait in line for gad in about 45yrs now,not sure where you live
davanden about 3 years ago
That’s we decided on a plug-in hybrid.
sandpiper about 3 years ago
Having read the developments and the arguments about electric vs hybrid/electric, my vote for the most cost effective transitional type is the latter. 50+ mpg equivalent in nothing to ignore. Neither is the fact that the overall config requires fewer replacement parts and less general maintenance and thus lowers costs of operation. But my vote won’t count anyway. Meanwhile, I’ll just continue on with my old pick-up. Not that many years left for either of us.
Zen-of-Zinfandel about 3 years ago
Their dashboard must not have Alexa integration.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 3 years ago
But.. feel happy about not polluting as you drive around in circles.. while watching that gauge approach zero charge left.
mistercatworks about 3 years ago
Note that there are stiff fines for using a charging station as a parking space, if you do not have an electric charging vehicle.
tabby about 3 years ago
With a travel distance of over 250 per charge, we never go looking for charging stations when out. Someday we might go traveling longer distances again. Was looking at cars coming out soon with over 400 miles per charge which would work for us in our leisurely travels.
queenoftut about 3 years ago
I hope I live long enough to never have an electric vehicle! If one is involved in a wreck, it usually catches fire. That is a horrible way to die or live with the scars and medical conditions that go with it for the rest of your life. My brother survived a plane crash in 1981 with 3rd degree burns over 30% of his body, the other 40% were 2nd degree burns. It was touch and go for several days. Not to mention all the debridement, skin grafts, and infections. He is very blessed to be alive and living a normal life.