Thoughts on Electric Cars

offcrusin · 09-10-2010, 03:04 PM

Hello fellows Members,
Just wanted to get the general consensus of what people thought about purchasing a new electric car. Manufacturers such as GM with the Volt, Nissan
with the Leaf and Mitsubishi with the i-MiEV all claim the cars will be sold to the
general public within a year.
I am seriously considering purchasing however a little concerned about how long
batteries will last and how many cycles one could expect and above all else
the cost to replace the batteries may outweigh the savings on gas over the 5-8
years the batteries are supposed to last.

Anybody have any thoughts or heard information or rumours regarding these cars.

Thanks and have a nice weekend.

Dantilla · 09-10-2010, 03:07 PM

I don't give a rip about cars as boring as the Leaf, but I'm truly interested in the TESLA.

Turbo_pro · 09-10-2010, 03:28 PM

I think electric cars are cool but it sucks when they jump out of the slot and you have to run over and put them back on the track.

lane912 · 09-10-2010, 03:28 PM

do you realize that the batteries will need to be replaced several times durring the life of the car?

offcrusin · 09-10-2010, 03:41 PM

Yes as it stands most manufacturers claim they will take GM's lead with the Volt
and warranty the batteries for 8 years, it's after that is what concerns me.
Likely be able to assume battery replacement in year 10.........but at what cost???

gtc · gtc's Garage

My parents have an '01 Insight, and it hasn't needed new batteries yet. I hate to admit it, but it's a pretty good car. Almost fun, actually.

Rob Channell · 09-10-2010, 04:31 PM

You don't buy a new electric car to save money. Check on forums for hybrid problems with battery packs that die because a cooling fan quit working, etc. Of course if you like the idea or want to feel like you are contributing to the environment then go ahead. Just don't suffer from the illusion that it would be a good deal........yet.

Do the math. Instead of spending $35000 on a new electric or hybrid, just buy a $5000 Honda and $30000 worth of gas.

I'd like a Tesla or maybe a Porsche 918, heck maybe even an electric 914. I just do not want to pay for what they cost. Once the battery technology improves enough to be mass produced cheaply the really cool electric cars will happen.

Just my own 0.02

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Electric cars are cool.

I drove an EV-1 GM Impact around the block a few years ago - it rocked.

I'm going to drive the Volt in a few weeks if all goes well, I bet it rocks too.

Tim Hancock · 09-11-2010, 05:31 AM

If all cars in this country were electric, where would the electricity come from to run them? Until this country starts building hundreds of nuclear power plants, electric cars for the masses will remain unfeasible IMO.

MotoSook · 09-11-2010, 05:53 AM

If you're buying an electric car to help the environment do the math on the actual impact first. Are your really helping? Consider the impact on natural resources, the manufacturing impact of a new electric car to the environment, the impact of buying an economical used car, where the electricity comes from, etc.

hardflex · 09-11-2010, 06:25 AM

Did anyone see this on 60minutes about the 'Bloom Box'

Alternative Energy: The Bloom Box - 60 Minutes - CBS News

If it does work it could revolutionize the whole power grid and reshape our energy use in the future. The cost of generation is about the same as nuclear, maybe without the waste.

Tim Hancock · 09-11-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soukus

If you're buying an electric car to help the environment do the math on the actual impact first. Are your really helping? Consider the impact on natural resources, the manufacturing impact of a new electric car to the environment, the impact of buying an economical used car, where the electricity comes from, etc.

Common sense and reasoning has no place in this discussion.

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

If all cars in this country were electric, where would the electricity come from to run them? Until this country starts building hundreds of nuclear power plants, electric cars for the masses will remain unfeasible IMO.

This is true but only partially correct. Even coal power is more efficient when produced remotely and shipped over lines. Whether we want to admit it or not, oil is not super efficient and neither are coal fed electric cars. What we can agree on based on the facts is that an electric car will help the environment EXCEPT there is an unknown. We do not know the impact that the battery will have. Will it last a normal 10 years and then get recycled or will it need replacement every 3 years (its possible).

offcrusin · 09-11-2010, 08:06 AM

Anyone reserved or ordered one yet????? Here that they will deliver to the
Western States initially........ that being Nissan with their Leaf.

David · David's Garage

I don't see there being any real savings for several years until battery prices come down. Fortunately there's plenty of lithium on the planet to make all the batteries we could ever want or at least until a better power storage system is found.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I want one with 4 motors, one on each wheel - the ultimate in a locking diff. ...

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardflex

Did anyone see this on 60minutes about the 'Bloom Box'

Alternative Energy: The Bloom Box - 60 Minutes - CBS News

Yes I saw it, and it looks like the real deal.

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2010, 03:55 PM

I dont think I would buy an electric car without a gas engine (just to run a small generator in emergency power situations). That leaves the Volt by GM I believe. The reason I don't think its in any car makers best interest to install a gas generator in a plug in vehicle is because, pardon my language, but idiots will try and constantly run it off the generator and partially or completely defeat the purpose and/or reliability of the vehicle.

grudk · 09-12-2010, 08:05 PM

Came close to putting a deposit down on the Tesla model S. Haven't done it... more a factor of bad experience with Lotus Elise 'wait list'/deposits, than confidence in Tesla

I think it will be a long time before electric cars/hybrids become dominant... 20 or more years, but I think it will happen. Infrastructure is a big issue (rapid charging stations), but less so than for fuel cell. One can dismiss it all as impractical or inefficient, but it's a process of evolution. I think a 'series hybrid' like the Volt is a great idea, and eliminates 'range anxiety,' combustion engine can be adapted to gas/ethanol/biofuel depending on market.

I suppose is reasonable to criticize and say that buyers are are looking for a 'green' image, but the same could be said for most performance car buyers (they buy for the performance 'image')

Probably one of the bigger near-term issues is the global economy and gas prices. If the slump is prolonged and gas remains cheap, there is less incentive to push alternatives...

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soukus

If you're buying an electric car to help the environment do the math on the actual impact first. Are your really helping? Consider the impact on natural resources, the manufacturing impact of a new electric car to the environment, the impact of buying an economical used car, where the electricity comes from, etc.

The easiest way and most straight forward way to look at the impact on the environment is the total cost of ownership of the vehicle. Add up the price, the lifetime gas, manitenance, repairs, etc. The higher the dollars, the more environmental impact.

It take more energy and manufacturing to build a hybrid. You just don't see it at the gas pump, so you only look at that portion of the energy consumption.

Kind of like Ethanol as a fuel. It take more energy to make ethanol form corn, than you get in the fuel. Ethanol fuel, if it were not subsidized, would be quite expensive.