[Henchster]

This is a joke right? Let me point out the drawbacks:

1) Electric power is depreciating, in other words, the second time you step on the gas, it has less power than the first, the third time worse, etc. A "Range" of 250 miles means very low performance for the last 100 miles. An internal combustion engine actually IMPROVES it's power-to-weight ratio until the last drop of fuel is burned because its weight drops as fuel is burned.

2) If you think California had an energy crunch when it got hot and people turned on the air conditioners, just wait until you see the draw these charging systems pull. You'd have to build a dozen nuke plants to keep the power grid online if everyone had an electric car.

3) "Equivalent of..." BS drivel about efficiency. Let's see in the real world how long a charge lasts, how long it really takes to fully charge, and look at the electric bills before and after. My guess is that even at $3.25 a gallon, an internal combustion vehicle will cost less to drive per mile.

4) What do you do with the dead batteries? These babies are expensive, toxic, and heavy, creating a landfill disaster as well.

I had an electric motorcycle that was so worthless I sold it for 1/3 of what I paid for it in like-new condition. The batteries were weak after the first few minutes, it took WAAAY longer than the manufacturer claimed to recharge, the amps the charger drew was off the chart, and I had to replace the batteries at considerable expense twice in a two-year period.

Sorry, we are a LONG ways from having viable electric vehicles for the masses.

[drlevy88]

You'd have to build a dozen nuke plants

In a city, maybe

[wita]

If it wasn't for shameless environmentalist antics, our present form of transportation, might just be even more efficient than it is. Success, breeds more, whereas EV's cannot under any circumstances be considered a success.

[TChris]

Don't forget:

5) AFAICT, the high voltage is a huge hazard to driver, passengers, fire-fighters and rescue personnel in the event of a crash.

[DB]

Your first point is incorrect.

There is no electrical limitation that makes performance have to drop as the battery's charge is consumed. It can be similar to a gas powered car in that when the charge is done, it's completely done. The car suddenly has no more power to offer. So there is no engineering requirement that "... low performance for the last 100 miles." be the case.

[AmericaUnited]

1) Electric power is depreciating, in other words, the second time you step on the gas, it has less power than the first, the third time worse, etc. A "Range" of 250 miles means very low performance for the last 100 miles.

Only if it was designed by an electrical moron.