Posted on 09/29/2014 7:29:45 AM PDT by LogicDesigner
Electric cars aren't selling nearly as well as many predicted. Why is that?
Research suggests a host of reasons—including a basic lack of familiarity, a high price tag, misconceptions about the cars—and ineffective government incentives.
Consider the lack of familiarity. In a survey by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Kansas, respondents couldn't correctly answer basic factual questions about plug-in electric vehicles more than 60% of the time. Some 75% of wrong answers underestimated the beneficial aspects of the vehicles.
The survey, the most exhaustive on consumer perceptions of electric cars in recent years, was published in the journal Energy Policy last year, and was based on field work conducted in several U.S. cities in 2011.
Key Differences
Many respondents didn't realize that all-electric cars require less maintenance than gasoline-powered cars. Oil changes aren't necessary, for example, and there are fewer breakable parts. The study also found that people often underestimated the fuel savings electric cars offer.
"The lack of accurate information about electric vehicles certainly [has] contributed to their small adoption," says Rachel Krause, an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas, and a co-author of the study.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I don’t kiss scum.
All the scum driving subsidized cars can go to hell.
That is correct.
Thats just it, if the consumer doesn’t see it will give them atleast they have now as far as range, cost, speed etc. the consumer will not invest. Which makes it NOT a solution. just my 2 cent.
Thank you!
Congrats on your purchase as well. I almost went Prius, but decided on the Leaf for the incentives.
What’s holding back sales?
Uhhhh, how about the fact that they cost as much as a small HOUSE; there’s no where on the road to CHARGE them...
The same could be said for oil drilling, pumping, shipping, refining, and delivery.
All that ultimately matters is dollars per mile. And electricity costs about one-third what gasoline costs on a per-mile basis. Actually it can cost even less because electric companies are starting to offer discounted or even free nighttime charging.
LOL!
Like I said, haters are gonna hate. Pound sand hater....
Every electric car could burn down to the ground with a lithium fire, and I still wouldn’t care.
If the government can get everyone into electric cars, and they control the power grid, they control movement.
Gee whiz, I got all 4 questions correct.
It’s also why I don’t have an electric car. For commuting, an electric is sensible, if you want to tie up that much money in a vehicle you can only use around town. I’ll stick with my $1500 motorcycle for that. 70 mpg, and it’s a lot of fun, except when it’s utterly miserable weather. Then I take the car (16mpg in town) or the truck (12 mpg in town).
I can buy a LOT of fuel for the difference in price between a new Leaf and my old scooter...
Not a solution YET...it’s coming though. Tesla’s batteries will only be getting better. Problem is that the super-chargers aren’t readily available. If gas stations/restaurants start installing them in their parking lots, the idea is to bring in this client base (yes it’s small for now), while they shop/eat. It’ll also help boost confidence for families or individuals to make longer trips with them.
In S Florida, Publix has 5 stores with fast chargers on them. They are almost always in use.
Electricity requires 1 gallon of petroleum per 12 kWh, google eia petroleum kwh and click the top link. It takes about 12kWh to charge the Volt battery which will take you about 38 miles. Therefore the Volt costs about the same to operate as a gas car that gets 38 mpg.
Depends. The Nissan Leaf has had some problems with capacity loss in hot climates like Arizona. If you live in such an area, you would be better served by a Chevy Volt. It uses active liquid cooling whereas the Leaf uses passive air cooling. This keeps the Volt's battery in a healthy temperature range. The Volt also never charges the internal battery over 80% and it switches to gasoline mode when you get down to 30%, all while giving you about 40 miles of electric range (followed by 340 miles of gasoline range).
These two things combined seem to be the magic bullet when it comes to preserving battery capacity over the life of the car. All the (admittedly anecdotal) evidence I've heard is that Volt owners are experiencing no capacity loss after years of use. For example:
http://insideevs.com/op-ed-point-will-chevy-volt-battery-show-signs-range-loss/
Currently(pun intended) everyone driving an electric car is a parasite getting reduced road and fuel taxes, subsidized fuel, and often subsidized purchase costs.
So, YES, I do HATE those taking my earning for inefficient toys,just as I HATE those taking my money and subsidizing or protecting abortion clinics, illegal immigration,importation of more islamic terrorists and their supporters,and a host of other evil acts by governments.
LIARS gotta lie,so you can lie all you want about your wonderful toy car that is paid for by the rest of us.
And are a small fraction of the energy losses of electric power. Refining of Gasoline is about 87~90% efficient. Coal power plants are typically down in 33~35% efficiency.
I'm an electrical engineer, specialized in power systems, working in the oil/gas industry. I started professional life decades ago working in the electric utility industry. I understand the energy efficiency of both fairly well.
All that ultimately matters is dollars per mile.
In this we agree.
And electricity costs about one-third what gasoline costs on a per-mile basis.
Not when you compare the same utility. For some that is a true statement. For most it is not. It would cost more to get the performance they need from an all electric source. Especially if you would put them on equal government financing. Electric vehicles are subsidized by government (tax payers). Government collects 2~3 times more from oil/gas companies than the keep themselves.
Where I live, they are ubiquitous. Especially the Tesla. Not a day goes by without seeing one.
Not necessarily so. I'm acquainted with two people who have constructed a sort of "solar carport" for their Tesla, using solar panel support structure to build a shelter for their car and personal recharging station. Battery storage, recharge at night.
Admittedly, this is out of reach of most on cost alone, but given the financial ability an electric car with a solar charging station is the ultimate prepper transportation.
The ignorant author of this drivel obviously does not live out in the country, with its tough seasonal weather changes and long driving distances, often across steep hills and mountains.
Do you a link for more information on that?
Except that less than 5% of our electricity comes from oil and it is only use for occasional peak power generation for a few hours during the hottest summer days. Since the vast majority of electric vehicle charging is done at night, then no, it does not burn oil to charge your car.
And since you mention cost, you should know that electricity costs one-third what gasoline costs on a per-mile basis. It can cost even less considering electric companies have starting offering plans with discounted or even free nighttime electricity.
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