2012: The year of the electric car.

[Route 66]

That's what they're saying.

I was wondering what you folks think about plug-in electric cars. Is it an idea whose time has come?

Your thoughts?

No politics please.

[Brunotheboxer]

Sales are soft and I'm never buying one but if others like them good luck.

I'm sticking with petrol.

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by SteveArn

That's what they're saying.

I was wondering what you folks think about plug-in electric cars. Is it an idea whose time has come?

Your thoughts?

Massive waste of resources and time for a novelty product. We're still too far away from a viable alternative to the fossil fuel burning combustion engine. The batteries in these electric vehicles are still too weak for anything larger than a compact.

Nissan is selling quite a few Leafs here in Nashville, but it's trendy at the moment and I imagine the hype will die down once folks here realize that they can't make it from one end of the city to the other on one charge.

I still maintain that the best short term solution for fuel economy is to import more of the diesel burning cars that we (Americans) already make and loosen up restrictions on the import diesels. It's a very short term solution but one that we can work on right now until battery technology is improved.

[masterserg]

I am wondering where all the energy to power up those cars will be coming from? and how will it be transported through the cities? I doubt that current energy production facilities and power lines can support the load.

I am sticking with petrol car, thanks much!

[MP5]

Haha, lol, lulz. Sigh

[The Joker]

Not sure if 2012 will be the year of the electric car, but to say it's a massive waste of resources and time for a novelty product is nonsense.

These current crop of electric and hybrid and the R&D that goes into them are stepping stones that are needed to get to a better technology.

[conrail]

I'm a petrolhead and have no interest in these whizzy electric cars to be honest. Most just look silly and you feel like you're in a video game simulator, not a machine. Certainly, getting off foreign oil is a good goal...

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Not sure if 2012 will be the year of the electric car, but to say it's a massive waste of resources and time for a novelty product is nonsense.

These current crop of electric and hybrid and the R&D that goes into them are stepping stones that are needed to get to a better technology.

I'm just not convinced electric is the answer. There are many other viable alternatives to be explored as well.

[Lisa]

All I can say is I'm glad that alternatives to gasoline are being pursued...

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Lisa

All I can say is I'm glad that alternatives to gasoline are being pursued...

dP

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Lisa

All I can say is I'm glad that alternatives to gasoline are being pursued...

X2
Yep, something needs to be done.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by RedBaronF2001

I'm just not convinced electric is the answer. There are many other viable alternatives to be explored as well.

Yep understand now, you think electric just isn't the answer. Thought there was hope for a hydrogen car (Honda Clarity) you fill up with hydrogen, but it is still electric.

Apart from the Air Car Padi posted about what other alternatives are there?

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Yep understand now, you think electric just isn't the answer. Thought there was hope for a hydrogen car (Honda Clarity) you fill up with hydrogen, but it is still electric.

Apart from the Air Car Padi posted about what other alternatives are there?

To keep drilling.

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Yep understand now, you think electric just isn't the answer. Thought there was hope for a hydrogen car (Honda Clarity) you fill up with hydrogen, but it is still electric.

Apart from the Air Car Padi posted about what other alternatives are there?

I'm no scientist or engineer ... so I can only google the alternatives and spit them back verbatim.

I believe, however, that we will find a more suitable alternative to the electric solution. Batteries just seem wasteful and the range issue is a big one for me. I'm sure there is a solution in the future whereby it is zero emissions, safe for the environment to implement, and self perpetuating. I'm hopeful for it.

The last round and current round of electric vehicles have been flops in the marketplace. We're just not ready for them yet.

[JasoninDenver]

I will go electric when I can reasonably have it charged via solar panels at home and at work. It will make ethical, if not environmental, sense to me given my 16 mile RT commute and my wife's 3 miler.

It would probably not make economic sense to me for years and years or at least we figure out a pricing structure for fossil fuels that internalizes ALL of the costs that goes into the petroleum fuel's lifecycle.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

To keep drilling.

I think Bruno works for BP

[masterserg]

Interesting rant from Ken Rockwell (love him or hate him):

http://www.kenrockwell.com/business/electric-cars.htm

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

To keep drilling.

Yes we can keep drilling but thats very very expensive to do,and with the many accidents and spills especially off shore.And with fuel prices always going upward,fuel taxes in most countries are expensive and petrol now in the UK over £7 a gallon diesel more expensive. The world must find a alternative cost effective energy fuel sourse sooner but not later.

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Interesting rant from Ken Rockwell (love him or hate him):

http://www.kenrockwell.com/business/electric-cars.htm

He has some very strong points in that article that I agree with.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Interesting rant from Ken Rockwell (love him or hate him):

http://www.kenrockwell.com/business/electric-cars.htm

He does make good points, especially: "All the power to charge these things has to come from somewhere" It's not like the electricity just flows naturally and freely! I'm a much bigger proponent of natural, re-usable fuels for a proper engine. Not some tin can with batteries in it.

[daveathall]

I like the idea, but it would be very difficult if not impossible for me. I live in a nearly 300 year old cottage, in the days it was built no one had the forethought to build a garage next to it, instead, I park my car on the street approx 2 minute walk from my house, I just would find it impossible to re charge it after use. Many people in the UK believe it or not have no garage, and live in terraced housing, they would face the same problem.

I work about 30 miles from where I live, the option for cheaper fuel would be a huge bonus for me.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by The Joker

I think Bruno works for BP

I just like my cars loud, fast, and throw you back in your seat powerful my friend.

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes we can keep drilling but thats very very expensive to do,and with the many accidents and spills especially off shore.And with fuel prices always going upward,fuel taxes in most countries are expensive and petrol now in the UK over £7 a gallon diesel more expensive. The world must find a alternative cost effective energy fuel sourse sooner but not later.

Nothing's perfect but at this time there's nothing better or more convenient that good old petrol.

Oil = life for man. Sorry to say but I didn't make the rules I just play the game.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Lisa

All I can say is I'm glad that alternatives to gasoline are being pursued...

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

dP

Originally Posted by dddrees

X2
Yep, something needs to be done.

Agree 100%. This is a topic I feel very strongly about. I drive a Hybrid SUV, and get 30+ miles to the gallon routinely. Are electric cars the solution? I honestly don't know. I personally think the ultimate answer is hydrogen and fusion, but that's probably not in my lifetime. But we HAVE to find a CLEAN alternative for our energy (cars). My Hybrid Escape is not going to save the world, but I'm glad at least I'm doing something to help.

Those who feel we just keep burning oil... well, whether that's a selfish attitude, putting your desires ahead of future generations, I'll leave up to public opinion, but putting aside the US dependence on foriegn oil, the INCREDIBLE pollution billions of cars cause every year (want your children to grow up in a world like that?), and the un-mentionable, POSSIBLE effect of CO2 on the climate (leaving that alone), the OIL, WILL, someday, BE GONE. It's imperative we start looking for alternatives... now. I don't expect everyone to own electric, hybrids, air cars, I am not naieve and understand there are economic, size, power considerations, it doesn't work for most people right now. If you require a big vehicle that doesn't get good gas milage, drive what YOU need to drive But for those that a smaller car, or hybrid, or electric works, we should encourage them to consider it and help the gradual decrease and eventual elimination of the burning of oil to satisfy our energy needs.

Oh, and does anyone else find it personally aggraviating that people who choose not to purchase hybrid/electric/air-whatever, belittle and chastise those of us that do? If it doesn't make economical, or space sense, or for whatever reason an alternative (or hybrid) energy vehicle just does not work, I hold nothing against anyone for making that decision But for those that it can work, and have made the decision to do it, at least we are trying SOMETHING to help the inevitble solution that someday we will have to ween ourselves off of oil (and find a cleaner alternative).

Now that I'm off my soap box and got worked up about this, back to the original OP... I don't know if electric are the long-term solution, but I do support at least the effort; experimenting with an alternative. The power that drives those vehicles comes from the power company which is scrubed much cleaner then it is coming out of a gas-powered car, so it is definitely a cleaner solution. I guess time will only tell if it will work as a complete answer.

[Dr. Robert]

No, 2012 is the year of the dragon.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

No, 2012 is the year of the dragon.

Is the dragon electric or fire breathing.

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

The power that drives those vehicles comes from the power company which is scrubed much cleaner then it is coming out of a gas-powered car, so it is definitely a cleaner solution. I guess time will only tell if it will work as a complete answer.

Unfortunately this isn't true. Americans just can't wrap their head around nuclear power plants and we still produce more of our electricity with the dirtier coal burning plants. In 2009, coal plants made up for over 44.9% of the power we produce vs the cleaner emissions of nuclear at 20.3%.

If, in the short term, we can convince Americans to consider diesel power for their next vehicle purchase we can achieve fuel savings to tide us over until a more viable solution appears. There are even many diesel powered cars in production that could satisfy the gearheads in our country.

[CashGap]

Coal-powered ("plug in electric") cars would not existing without the political motive, so I guess I have nothing to add...

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by RedBaronF2001

Unfortunately this isn't true. Americans just can't wrap their head around nuclear power plants and we still produce more of our electricity with the dirtier coal burning plants. In 2009, coal plants made up for over 44.9% of the power we produce vs the cleaner emissions of nuclear at 20.3%.

If, in the short term, we can convince Americans to consider diesel power for their next vehicle purchase we can achieve fuel savings to tide us over until a more viable solution appears. There are even many power diesel cars in production that could satisfy the gearheads in our country.

But isn't the coal emission scrubbed (relatively) clean? At least cleaner then a gas-powered car? I thought so, but don't know that much about it so you could be right. I agree with the nuclear option, but that brings up a whole other list of issues. I think ultimately, fusion is our solution; clean, limitless. They say the first fusion plant will come on line in 2050. Too bad I won't be around to see it, my feeling is that is the answer to our civilization's energy needs.

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

But isn't the coal emission scrubbed (relatively) clean? At least cleaner then a gas-powered car? I thought so, but don't know that much about it so you could be right. I agree with the nuclear option, but that brings up a whole other list of issues. I think ultimately, fusion is our solution; clean, limitless. They say the first fusion plant will come on line in 2050. Too bad I won't be around to see it, my feeling is that is the answer to our civilization's energy needs.

From what [little] I understand, coal power plants can produce enough emissions per plant to match upwards of a half-million cars. Let's not forget the emissions of the vehicles in use to mine the coal as well. "Clean Coal" is a myth. And, all the nasty chemicals emitted by the plants get put into our water supply as well. It's our (America's) dirty little secret. We're so afraid of nuclear since the near disaster of Three Mile Island. Since then we've stepped up our safety and control systems to the point where they can survive earthquakes and other natural disasters. Other countries, especially Europe, have latched onto nuclear whereas we haven't constructed a new plant since 1996.

I was once educated by a nuclear scientist on a trip out west and he convinced me that nuclear power is the ideal solution for our current generation. He obviously knew more than I but his arguments were very convincing.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

The power that drives those vehicles comes from the power company which is scrubed much cleaner then it is coming out of a gas-powered car, so it is definitely a cleaner solution. I guess time will only tell if it will work as a complete answer.

Where did you hear this from?

And what do they use to scrub it clean?

Stop listening to the media my friend.