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The major problem with electric cars is building an infrastructure for them. First, they can run around 100-150km (60 - 100miles) and after this they must recha
by amix 18y ago
The major problem with electric cars is building an infrastructure for them. First, they can run around 100-150km (60 - 100miles) and after this they must recharge for a day or so. I.e. they are pretty useless on longer trips.
In Denmark, Dong Energy (which is Denmark's biggest energy company) has signed an agreement with Better Place to build electric "gas stations" where one can drive in and get a fresh battery. I think Israel also has an agreement. And with such gas stations, electric cars could be a very fine choice since they are cheaper (pr. km) and a lot more environment friendly.
And Teslas are pretty hot, so it would probably be a very good investment by the US gov.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DONG_Energy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DONG_Energy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Better_Place http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Better_Place
- Retric 18y agoFYI: your numbers are wrong. http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/perf_specs.php http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/perf_specs.php Tesla Roadster Range: About 220 miles (based on EPA combined city/highway cycle) Full Charge: About 3.5 hours using the Tesla Motors High Power Connector. One of the better suggestions I have heard was an all electric car where you could use an external generator for long trips. 95+% of the time you don't need and save a lot of weight over a hybrid but it but it's still an option for long trips and you could even add extra storage space.
- ryanwaggoner 18y agoOne of the better suggestions I have heard was an all electric car where you could use an external generator for long trips. 95+% of the time you don't need and save a lot of weight over a hybrid... Why is this better than a hybrid? Would the generator be powerful enough to provide enough electricity to operate the car? If so, I have a hard time seeing how you would save weight or how it would be more efficient, since you're going to have more steps in the process, each with more efficiency loss.
- Retric 18y agoA 30hp generator would be sufficient to give a car essentially unlimited range, but it adds a few grand in cost, 4-500 lb's of weight and a host of mechanical issues. If you don't need it 95% of the time what's the value in dragging it around? If you can rent it for less than the cost of ownership what's the value in renting it?
- kubrick 18y agoCalifornia has an infrastructure project that will put charging stations all over the state. http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/11/20/electric-car-infrastructure-announced-for-california/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/11/20/electric-car-infrastructu... As goes California, so goes the rest of the country.
- anamax 18y ago> charging stations all over the state. According to the map, over half of the state has no stations within 100 miles. Moreover, between the LA basin and the SF bay area, the stations are placed so they're only useful for folks staying at the station or just going to the next station.
- kubrick 18y agoHey, it's a start.
- anamax 18y agoIt wasn't presented as "a start". It was presented as "all over the state" in response to someone who asked about coverage. Honesty matters if for no other reason than dishonesty destroys credibility. If they're misrepresenting coverage, what else is other than as advertised?
- kubrick 18y agoCalifornia is a big state. If half of the state has no stations within 100 miles, that's a great start, considering the geography to be covered. The Tesla sedan goes 220 miles per charge.