Do You Guys See An Electric Car In Your Future?

[bjl584]

No. I don't really see the point or think it would be an economically sound decision.

[scfr]

We are still a 2-car household. Since I'm the only one who commutes, it would be super easy to have DH's car be an electric, even an older model with a more limited range. We wouldn't even need a special rapid charger. When we go back to having only 1 car (after I retire), there could be more challenges to having only an electric. But with the option of renting when we needed to drive a longer distance, it would be do-able.

[MonkeyMama]

Yes. It makes financial sense, for us.

We are being sticklers on range, because we have family about 120 miles away that we visit often (at least monthly). But, for a second/commuter car, it's not a deal breaker. We just have an old vehicle we are ready to move on from, but are fine with waiting a year or two to see how the pricing shakes out on the longer range/newer EVs.

[disneysteve]

for a second/commuter car, it's not a deal breaker.

I guess this is where we differ. I'm not buying any car that can only be used for certain sorts of driving such as commuting. Yes, my job keeps me in a 15-20 mile radius of home, but I also want to be able to throw the suitcases in my trunk and drive that same car to NYC or DC or Kentucky like we did last week. We didn't want to take DW's van on that trip. If my car was an EV, we wouldn't have had a choice.

[TexasHusker]

The original question was to see if people here would ever consider buying an electric car but someone here needs to make it into a debate about electric cars being green or not using false facts and talking points.

Could of just stopped at, got a volt..it wasn't for me.

But nope..got to give your 2 cents about how electric cars are idiotic just like how you see 401ks are idiotic.

At least there is a plausible financial reason to contribute to a 401K.

At its core, the EV push make absolutely zero economic or energy sense. The math doesn’t work and it’s not even close.

[Singuy]

At least there is a plausible financial reason to contribute to a 401K.

At its core, the EV push make absolutely zero economic or energy sense. The math doesn’t work and it’s not even close.

Zero economic or energy sense today and you see how companies WERE reluctant to jump on the EV bandwagon until now. In countries like Norway where electricity is 99% renewable, the market share for EVs is 42%...and that's with the crummy choices we have today.

Just think about it...if it takes 10lbs of coal to produce 10kwh of electricity and it only takes my solar panels 40 mins to do the same...then there's a big problem with coal and it should die(which it is dying).

Once in 10-20 years all these ancient high pollutant inefficient fuel sources die out, there will be plenty of options in the EV market as well vs the 5 choices we have today...and 4 of them aren't really choices.

[TexasHusker]

Zero economic or energy sense today and you see how companies WERE reluctant to jump on the EV bandwagon until now. In countries like Norway where electricity is 99% renewable, the market share for EVs is 42%...and that's with the crummy choices we have today.

Just think about it...if it takes 10lbs of coal to produce 10kwh of electricity and it only takes my solar panels 40 mins to do the same...then there's a big problem with coal and it should die(which it is dying).

Once in 10-20 years all these ancient high pollutant inefficient fuel sources die out, there will be plenty of options in the EV market as well vs the 5 choices we have today...and 4 of them aren't really choices.

Ok where do I sign up ?

[Singuy]

Ok where do I sign up ?

You signed up already remember? Bought a Volt then sold it in 2 years for some reason? I thought you lease cars...

[cypher1]

Simple answer is a no for me. The cost alone upfront doesn't justify the purchase, at least for my needs.

A "new" car for me, was recently buying a 2010 honda CRV with 81k mileage. Having grown up working on cars, and am still not impressed the technology or demand to really cut over.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for newer, cleaner technology going green. But right now I think the majority of the vehicles with that technology is overpriced for what you get.

[breathemusic]

My roommate just recently bought a Tesla Model S. The range on it is 214 miles and I don't believe he got the largest battery option, so I think if he had been willing to spend a bit more money, he could have gotten more range out of it. Since he office is only about 4 miles from our house and we live in the DC area and super chargers are going in all up and down the coast (plus the car will plot a course for you in the nav system that accounts for being able to reach superchargers) he wasn't worried about the longer range.

We're a 3 adult household with 3 cars, but that's because we all combined different households. The other car that we have is a 2014 rogue that we like for the hauling capacity so that we can go on camping trips or just take suitcases, etc places. My car is a POS 2002 ford focus station wagon that basically sits in the garage and rarely gets driven, but I keep it around for the rare instance when everyone is going in different directions and we want to each be using a car.

Getting the electric car may not have been the most economical choice, but I think there's merit in pushing ourselves toward more green options. And yes, electric companies may still rely heavily on coal, etc. Those too are working their way toward utilizing more hydro/solar/wind and other clean and renewable sources. But it's gotta start somewhere. And while I can understand that some people might need to be frugal to make sure they can survive, or save enough to retire on.... not everything is about the money.

Also, for the comments about moving toward driverless cars.... the tesla already has the technology. In fact, roomies car will take control and self drive on interstates. It's limited to that right now based on laws and the need to further map side roads, etc. But the capability is there so that when the laws change, a quick software update will allow the car to self-drive.

The cars will get cheaper in time, especially as production increases (especially for the batteries).

Though I agree that in the age of driverless cars- eventually people will trend toward driverless Uber-type cars for urban areas.

[greenskeeper]

This is exactly what would keep me from ever considering an EV - the limited range. 300 isn't too bad but 150? I often do that in a day. I guess if charging stations become commonplace, like everywhere at homes, malls, parking lots, restaurants, etc. 300 mile range could work but definitely not 150. I'll drive more than that in one stretch.

I'd standardize the battery pack for all makes/models and have "refueling" stations along the way that simply swap out the battery pack with a freshly charged one. Keep the process under 5 minutes and it would be the same as refueling a car.

To the original question....No. I'll never buy an electric car. Gasoline and Diesel fuel will be cheap and plentiful for the next 50-100 years.

[disneysteve]

I'd standardize the battery pack for all makes/models and have "refueling" stations along the way that simply swap out the battery pack with a freshly charged one.

That's an awesome idea.

Are you familiar with the Fuel Rod phone chargers? It is a $20 device that will recharge your phone. There are vending machines in many places like airports, hotels, theme parks, etc. where when your Fuel Rod is used, you just insert it in the machine and out pops a fully charged one for no additional cost. All you ever pay is the initial $20.

If they could do something similar for cars with a modest cost and turnaround time no more than pumping gas, that would be excellent.

[Nutria]

That's an awesome idea.

LOL. Imagine your 70 year old mother replacing the battery pack in her EV.

[disneysteve]

LOL. Imagine your 70 year old mother replacing the battery pack in her EV.

I wasn't thinking of it as a self-serve process (although having that as a cheaper option is fine). I was picturing pulling into a service station and having an attendant swap out the batteries. You would pay a fee, of course, but that would cover them providing the service.

[kork13]

To the original question... I could potentially see myself eventually getting an EV, but likely not anytime I'm the near future. As has been discussed, it's simply too expensive for my taste right now.

IMO, I think battery technology is the real limiting factor in making EVs truly viable. We haven't had any significant breakthroughs in battery technology (energy capacity relative to size/weight being the major factor, along with safety & discharge cycle durability factors) since lithium ion batteries were developed & commercialized in the 90's. Tesla is investing heavily in new battery technologies, and claim to be making progress, but it's a slow process. Case in point. When we get batteries that are higher capacity, smaller/lighter, and last longer, while still remaining safe... Then EVs might become more attractive. Until then, they'll remain a niche interest.