An Electric Car in My Garage?
Oil prices are at record highs. The overwhelming dependence of our cars and trucks on oil strains family budgets, threatens our national security and contributes to global warming. Plug-in electric vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce the United States’ dependence on oil. Yet can this potential be realized? If so, how? Is there a national interest in putting millions of plug-in vehicles on the road soon? How should policymakers in Washington, D.C., respond?
On June 11 and 12, the Brookings Institution and Google.org hosted a conference titled “Plug-in Electric Vehicles 2008: What Role for Washington?” The conference placed a spotlight on plug-in electric vehicles, examining their potential, their viability, and the pros and cons of different federal policies to promote them.
Transcripts and videos will be posted on the site soon. Meanwhile, I’ve been checking into available electric cars as a possible replacement for my gas guzzling Range Rover. Honda’s Civic Hybrid delivers an estimated 45 mpg, but with a gallon of gasoline approaching $5, it’s not as attractive to me as it might have been when a gallon ran a mere $3.25. There are several concept electrics in the pipeline, but none seem quite ready for prime time. However, I think I’ve settled on this one…
Is the Tesla Roadster expensive? Hell yeah! But I’ll make it up in no time by eliminating gasoline and those ridiculous carbon credits from my budget, right? Yessir, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!
I know, you want one, too. Order yours here.
Doug
in Automobiles, Economics, Technology, Transportation
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Reader Comments (15)
I know you are kidding.
Aren't you?
Must be nice. These run $125,000. I would have to save a lot of petrol.
Try $154000 with the dollar's current exchange against the Euro (about 99000 €). But if you've got it, why not?
Very funny (you are kidding, aren't you?) Had me going, I thought you were serious right up to the click.
If you are serious, can I have a ride?
The Brits have all the fun!
If you want some alternatives, here are several though none as cool as the Tesla.
Get in line Tina!
I remember when GM canceled production of the EV1 citing lack of profitability despite lines of people wanting to lease them. There was a documentary made ("Who Killed the Electric Car?") that explored the roles of automobile manufacturers, the oil industry, the US government, batteries, hydrogen vehicles, and consumers in limiting the development and adoption of this technology. Let's hope the resurgence doesn't meet the same fate.
http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
Thanks tontok for the lead for the documentary. We love documentaries and will probably order this one for our "conspiracy and expose" library. Electricity does seem like a no brainer so I will be interested to learn how it was snafued. I just know the oil companies and Detroit were probably behind it!
The big problem with plug-in cars is lack of charging stations. Most of the cars only run for 40-100 miles on a charge. That limits your range. If you run out of battery before getting to a charge station you have to get towed to someplace where you can recharge.
The Tesla goes 200 miles so it isn't as big a problem because you can probably get home to recharge.
More charging stations are needed. When electric cars were the rage a while back, they were popping up, but I haven't seen one in years.
That is a plus for hybrids. You have some gas to get to a recharge station. But Kevin is right, that we will need more plugin stations if all-electric cars are to catch on.
That won't happen on a large scale until oil companies figure out a way to control distribution and make $$ off it. Greedy bastards!!!
Interesting comments today! Thanks!
No, I'm not ordering a Tesla, at least not right now, although I think I could make a strong case for doing so. For example, if I were to drive it 15,000 miles a year for 5 years, and assuming gas topped out at $5 a gallon, I would save something like $75,000 compared to driving my Range Rover. And despite the dollar's fall against the Euro, I think the Tesla runs about $110K in the U.S. Soooo, in 5 years, it would almost pay for itself! I would call that a great investment (for a car)!
Are you reading this, Dawn?
Oops! Slight math error (damn Chinese calculator!)
I'd have to keep the car 10 years. Oh, and gas would average $6/gal. And I would drive the thing 15K miles/year. But then I would have a savings of $75000!
Okay, not quite as stellar an investment, but still a descent savings.
So I'll wait for the dollar to improve (significantly) against the Euro and THEN order my Tesla. That'll give me increased savings...
Probably just as well you wait. Even Martin Eberhard is having trouble getting his #2 car delivered.