Herein lies the ultimate problem with EVs as they increase their share of the transportation base, how to charge them! Here in California with the confluence of too many people, and a nutcake RAT government, having enough generating capacity to “fuel” our growing EV “fleet” is a burgeoning problem. So the State is playing with a two-edged sword. 1.) The don’t have and don’t want to build the electrical generating capacity to be able to service EVs, But 2.) the continue to encourage people here to buy them to “save the environment!” I guess solar installations may be at least a partial solution. Our son has used a Nissan Leaf EV for a couple of years as a commute vehicle. He coupled that decision with one to install solar on his home. It works. He just got rid of the Leaf and replaced it with a Chevrolet Bolt. I know everyone pisses and moans about GM here, but he tells me that in every respect, the Bolt is way superior to the Leaf. For one thing, the Bolt will go 300 miles on a charge, about twice that of the Leaf. Looking for a “plug” when you are away from home and about out of juice can be stressful. It’s not like looking for a service station.
In the final analysis, the whole thing is about energy. Also, here, in NorCal PG&E is filing for bankruptcy as a consequence of the devastating fires. You can bet that the State is going to act to preserve them, with the “route to preservation” being hiking utility rates.
Every time I look at the morning rush hour, and NPR is pontificating about coal mines, or hydro-electric dams and fish runs, I look around and wonder where all the amps that are supposed to drive all these cars are supposed to magically appear from.
Oops, perhaps EV are only for the Party leadership...
If anyone seriously wants something other than a gas vehicle, a hybrid makes the most sense in all the different ways you’d practically compare.
My big brother had a supercharger on his ‘72 Chevelle. We would take it the Sonic that looked just like that picture and cutie pies on roller skates would bring your milkshake right to your car with a tiny plastic animal perched on the lid.
Can one of those new fangled electronic cars get from KC to Denver on one set of batteries?
Last summer we visited family near Palm Springs. I witnessed a very amusing sight of one of those $100,000 Tesla’s driving in 120 degree weather with ALL THE WINDOWS down. I finally realized that they could not turn on the air conditioning and make it home. I laughed all the way to the gas station where I filled up my gas tank with renewable energy (it renews to 100% every time I fill up the tank).
“As we explained the other day, states like Illinois have seen over a 60 percent increase, from .15/kWh to .25/kWh. States like California that already had higher rates weren’t hit so hard (.20/kWh to .26/kWh).”
Interesting, as the prices push 25 cents per kwh, they’re driving the ‘fuel’ cost of operating the car close to the same level as operating a gasoline powered car.
By they way, here in Texas I’m now paying 7 cents per kwh.
Lithium batteries from Chinese mining concerns in Africa.
“Oh, boy. I be cool in ma’ Tesla.”
