In the summer time (before all these green technologies kick in, and the Earth cools to a balmy 72 degrees), most people would like to have a way of keeping cool. Sure, it doesn't have to be cold enough to make igloos, but it should be cool enough to manage a drive into the office without sweating and sticking to your seat. Otherwise, we're going to have some smelly offices.
In addition to air coolers of some kind, it rains in many locations, and windshield wipers are needed. In heavy rains, wipers must be set on high, to whisk the water away quickly.
Finally, it might occasionally be nice to be able to turn a radio or stereo on while one is driving. For news, weather, a little music perhaps, or God forbid, a talk show. These aren't essential to travel, I know, but they are very useful and appreciated by travelers.
Unfortunately, they too, all require additional power from an electric car. Precious power most likely not factored into the overall MPG for the car itself.
Here’s one benefit, the guys with the 1,000 Watt stereos in their cars won’t be thumping for long.
How far can you go in your electric car?
300 miles, or 20 miles with the stereo on.
1. Re-introduce vent windows. Opening vent windows past half-way procuced ram-cooling, a “poor man’s air conditioning” common in cars up to the 1960’s.
2. Go back to the hand operated windshield wipers in the early jeeps.
3. Provide a tray to lay a battery-powered radio.