NationStates Jolt Archive

So, last Wednesday I was waiting for the Mythbusters to come on, and the Discovery Channel had a program about alternative fuels. Now I know that in the past the electric car seems to be the ultimate geek mobile with low performance and not so sleek looks. However, the electric cars they show on this program were awesome. They could go 200 miles on a signal charge, and you didn't even need a gas station, you could hook your car up to your house at night like a cell phone that you leave to charge overnight. They actually show one car that could go 0 to 60 in 4 seconds. Apparently the cars are now using the same type batteries that laptops are using. The body designs wern't bad either, they really had that sexy sleek look to them So, with these high performance cars, with good 0 to 60 numbers, and a good sexy sleek look, why aren't they becoming more common place? Why aren't we seeing more and more of them pop up across America? I mean Hell I wouldn't mind buying one if it can match the performance of a car with a gasoline engine. Not only can it match and in some cases out perform the gasoline engine, but it's cheaper to operate too!

Forget the flying car, where is my electric car?

I'd still rather have me a flying car. :cool:

Ehh not me, trust me the sky is busy enough with Airliners, General Aviation, Helicopters, and Corporate aircraft. We don't need Billy Bob flying drunk? I mean Hell more than half of the people can't handle two dimension navigation, do we really need to add a third?

How much does an electric car cost?

I'd still rather have me a flying car. :cool:

Get and watch "WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR"

Who Killed the Electric Car? is a 2006 documentary film that explores the birth, limited commercialization, and subsequent death of the battery electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s. The film explores the roles of automobile manufacturers, the oil industry, the US government, batteries, hydrogen vehicles, and consumers in limiting the development and adoption of this technology.

The film deals with the history of the electric car, its development and commercialization, mostly focusing on the General Motors EV1, which was made available for lease in Southern California, after the California Air Resources Board passed the ZEV mandate in 1990, as well as the implications of the events depicted for air pollution, environmentalism, Middle East politics, and global warming.

The film details the California Air Resources Board's reversal of the mandate after suits from automobile manufacturers, the oil industry, and the George W. Bush administration. It points out that Bush's chief influences, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, and Andrew Card, are all former executives and board members of oil and auto companies.

Gasoline companies. They know that if stuff like this becomes commonplace, they lose allot of money. So, they buy up the patents, and never do anything with 'em. We just need someone who realizes that they could make more money selling the car than the gas companies will give them.

I'd still rather have me a flying car. :cool:

http://www.moller.com/

save up, but some life insurance

Probably because the standard of personal transportation is built around the internal combustion engine. Change will more than likely happen eventually, just not right away. The automobile industry is off to a good start however with many manufacturers developing hybrid cars and fuel saving technology such as cylinder deactivation.

Personally for me, I wouldn't be caught dead in an electric car. I love the enginge rumbles, the smells and sounds you get from running straights off a big V8. Electric cars would just seem odd for me... sterilized in a way I guess.

Ehh not me, trust me the sky is busy enough with Airliners, General Aviation, Helicopters, and Corporate aircraft. We don't need Billy Bob flying drunk? I mean Hell more than half of the people can't handle two dimension navigation, do we really need to add a third?

Hehe, very true. Our friend Billy Bob is quite bad enough with an old Ford, he really doesn't need to be flying at over a hundreed of miles an hour. (You know they'd go that fast, just because they can if for no othe reason)

How much does an electric car cost?

I dunno, but buy one and you get to travel in the carpool lane... even when you're alone! A bargain at any price, yes? :p

So, last Wednesday I was waiting for the Mythbusters to come on, and the Discovery Channel had a program about alternative fuels. Now I know that in the past the electric car seems to be the ultimate geek mobile with low performance and not so sleek looks. However, the electric cars they show on this program were awesome. They could go 200 miles on a signal charge, and you didn't even need a gas station, you could hook your car up to your house at night like a cell phone that you leave to charge overnight. They actually show one car that could go 0 to 60 in 4 seconds. Apparently the cars are now using the same type batteries that laptops are using. The body designs wern't bad either, they really had that sexy sleek look to them So, with these high performance cars, with good 0 to 60 numbers, and a good sexy sleek look, why aren't they becoming more common place? Why aren't we seeing more and more of them pop up across America? I mean Hell I wouldn't mind buying one if it can match the performance of a car with a gasoline engine. Not only can it match and in some cases out perform the gasoline engine, but it's cheaper to operate too!

Forget the flying car, where is my electric car?
Have you ever seen an add for one of those electric cars before?

Have you even heard of any of those manufacturers before?

What is the public opinion on Electric cars? It does not matter what the reality of the product is, only people's perseption of the product.

Is there a markup compared to gasoline cars with similar features?

Who do you think is most likely to buy one of these cars? Does the previous question affect this demographic in any way?

Can I simply drive down the street and buy one?

Probably because the standard of personal transportation is built around the internal combustion engine. Change will more than likely happen eventually, just not right away. The automobile industry is off to a good start however with many manufacturers developing hybrid cars and fuel saving technology such as cylinder deactivation.

Personally for me, I wouldn't be caught dead in an electric car. I love the enginge rumbles, the smells and sounds you get from running straights off a big V8. Electric cars would just seem odd for me... sterilized in a way I guess.Electric cars would make excellent sleepers.

How much does it cost?

Like Drewlio said above, "Who killed the Electric Car?"

The electric car has been here and on the market. No emissions whatsoever, and completely viable and useful for just about everyone.

Its production was ceased becuase of pressure from auto manufacturers, and major oil companies.
Can you imagine a world where you could spend anyhwere from 20,000-100,000 on a variety of car from SUV's to mid-sized sedans, to sports cars that can do 0-60 in 4 seconds, and require minimal upkeep, and cost practically nothing to drive, and use no oil?

If you can, then you can undertand why the american car companies, and Big Oil dont want you to have one.

Here's an ad for an electric car. http://youtube.com/watch?v=uOV3zDdKRqQ

they really had that sexy sleek look to them...a good sexy sleek look
...

......

Objectophilia
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5818/carlovewv6.jpg
Me-ow!

Have you ever seen an add for one of those electric cars before?

Have you even heard of any of those manufacturers before?

The EV1 was available on the market in the 90's.
It was leasable, bhut could not be purchased outright.


What is the public opinion on Electric cars? It does not matter what the reality of the product is, only people's perseption of the product.

The cars production was ceased to to its popularity with its leasee's. This means there was enough interest in it, to be a threat to oil-based automobiles.


Is there a markup compared to gasoline cars with similar features?

These days, there a few varieties from independant makers.
They seem to range from 30,000 to 100k.


Who do you think is most likely to buy one of these cars? Does the previous question affect this demographic in any way?

Not really. The prices are comparable to gasoline models.
The difference currently, is there isnt a "used" market.


Can I simply drive down the street and buy one?

Probably not.
Like I said, these days, there are small independant companies producing electric cars. Most of them have websites.

Heres the coolest of them.
Tesla Motors.

I think this runs about 100,000$.
It also does 0-60 in under 4 seconds, and has a top speed of 125 mph.
http://www.teslamotors.com/design/gallery-body.php

The Chevy Volt will be coming out in 2010. It will have an initial sticker price of $35,0000, which is pretty cheap especially if oil prices continue to climb. Other companies such as Tesla Motors are also producing electric cars; those vehicles are geared towards high-performance purposes and have a commensurate price tag.

Nonetheless, the point is the same: high-performance electric vehicles superior to gasoline engines are coming to market in the next several years. The advantages of them are pretty clear, especially now that the technology is there to make them competitive.

The Chevy Volt will be coming out in 2010. It will have an initial sticker price of $35,0000, which is pretty cheap especially if oil prices continue to climb. Other companies such as Tesla Motors are also producing electric cars; those vehicles are geared towards high-performance purposes and have a commensurate price tag.

Nonetheless, the point is the same: high-performance electric vehicles superior to gasoline engines are coming to market in the next several years. The advantages of them are pretty clear, especially now that the technology is there to make them competitive.

Well if there's a way for me to hook them up to my house that's also as affordable as the Chevy Volt, then I may junk my gasoline car and go fully electrical. It'll save money, environmental friendly, and I can use the money that I saved for my aviation hobby.

The Chevy Volt will be coming out in 2010. It will have an initial sticker price of $35,0000, which is pretty cheap especially if oil prices continue to climb. Other companies such as Tesla Motors are also producing electric cars; those vehicles are geared towards high-performance purposes and have a commensurate price tag.

Nonetheless, the point is the same: high-performance electric vehicles superior to gasoline engines are coming to market in the next several years. The advantages of them are pretty clear, especially now that the technology is there to make them competitive.

http://www.teslamotors.com/design/gallery-body.php

Well, chances are, prices will drop considerably over time; compare the cost of a HEV with a conventional gasoline engine in the same model. The gap really isn't that big anymore thanks to advances in battery and HEV technology, and the same will be true of electric engines.

Of course, a key variable will be electricity prices; more electric vehicles will mean higher electricity prices, but given that it's a lot cheaper than gasoline (IIRC, the cost of an electric vehicle equals a gasoline price of $0.60/gallon), it would have a lot of room to rise before the cost of operation would equal or exceed that of gasoline. However, since it's easier to produce more electricity than more oil (especially if people install solar panels and geothermal systems), it's not likely the price of electricity would rise that much.

Hmm, would it be possible to have the port that I hook up to my charge to have it's own solar power instead of having it draw off the house power? Because one of the things I could see happening is that if this becomes widespread, then Elecricty company can hike up their prices too, just like the oil companies are doing now. Of course this time we have an alternative.

Well if there's a way for me to hook them up to my house that's also as affordable as the Chevy Volt, then I may junk my gasoline car and go fully electrical. It'll save money, environmental friendly, and I can use the money that I saved for my aviation hobby.

Well, chances are, prices will drop considerably over time; compare the cost of a HEV with a conventional gasoline engine in the same model. The gap really isn't that big anymore thanks to advances in battery and HEV technology, and the same will be true of electric engines.

Of course, a key variable will be electricity prices; more electric vehicles will mean higher electricity prices, but given that it's a lot cheaper than gasoline (IIRC, the cost of an electric vehicle equals a gasoline price of $0.60/gallon), it would have a lot of room to rise before the cost of operation would equal or exceed that of gasoline. However, since it's easier to produce more electricity than more oil (especially if people install solar panels and geothermal systems), it's not likely the price of electricity would rise that much.

Well, chances are, prices will drop considerably over time; compare the cost of a HEV with a conventional gasoline engine in the same model. The gap really isn't that big anymore thanks to advances in battery and HEV technology, and the same will be true of electric engines.

Of course, a key variable will be electricity prices; more electric vehicles will mean higher electricity prices, but given that it's a lot cheaper than gasoline (IIRC, the cost of an electric vehicle equals a gasoline price of $0.60/gallon), it would have a lot of room to rise before the cost of operation would equal or exceed that of gasoline. However, since it's easier to produce more electricity than more oil (especially if people install solar panels and geothermal systems), it's not likely the price of electricity would rise that much.

Something else to consider is that many of these cars also comewith a portable charger.
Much like any alternator in a gas vehicle. its a small trailer you hook to the back of the car, and it charges the battery while you drive.

So, if most of the good models get between 200-300 miles on one charge, that means you may have to fully recharge the battery once a week...
With a charger-trailer, even less.
Not to mention less maintainence, no oil changes...

I will have to dust off the 'ol stanley steamer, unless we run out of water and wood.

...

......

Objectophilia
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5818/carlovewv6.jpg
Me-ow!

** couldn't press back button fast enough, yet wonders if the tail pipe was hot?...**

Something else to consider is that many of these cars also comewith a portable charger.
Much like any alternator in a gas vehicle. its a small trailer you hook to the back of the car, and it charges the battery while you drive.

So, if most of the good models get between 200-300 miles on one charge, that means you may have to fully recharge the battery once a week...
With a charger-trailer, even less. Not to mention less maintainence, no oil changes...

The advantages are huge. All it takes is for the price to fall in to place, and these cars will take off. And, of course, if Chevy and Tesla's mid-level projects are any sign that will be happening very soon. I'd say now would be a good time to invest in GM and GE, among other companies, since they'll be in a position to control a large share of the market.

** couldn't press back button fast enough, yet wonders if the tail pipe was hot?...**
I've always felt NSG needed moar Rule 34 even if what makes it porn is covered. I just couldn't resist when I saw someone talking about cars like women.

I've always felt NSG needed moar Rule 34 even if what makes it porn is covered. I just couldn't resist when I saw someone talking about cars like women.

What, I can't admire beautiful cars? *hmph!*

I've always felt NSG needed moar Rule 34 even if what makes it porn is covered. I just couldn't resist when I saw someone talking about cars like women.

Just wait until I start going on about artificial intelligence and robotics...hell, any kind of technology, for that matter.

Just wait until I start going on about artificial intelligence and robotics...hell, any kind of technology, for that matter.

So...would you date a robot with AI?

So...would you date a robot with AI?

Depends on what you mean. If we're talking sapient and conscious, sure. That's just another person who happens to be made out of inorganic compounds instead of organic ones.

The Tesla has already hit difficulties. Last time I heard, it won't be delivered on time because they can't secure a big enough supply of those batteries to actually get into mass production. But that's okay, because the customer list is just a bunch of Hollywood stars and Silicon Valley billionaires anyways.

And besides, it's not a really new idea either: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_F%C3%A9tish

Let's face it: they're the sportscar equivalent of the Toyota Prius. They're crap cars, but with a good image. People buy them not to drive them (you couldn't, anyways, the only way to keep 100% torque from 1rpm under control is with electronics) but to be seen in them. Which doesn't make them any different from a Mercedes SLR or a Murcielago Roadster, but people shouldn't confuse this for some sort of revolution.

Fact is that an electric car cannot replace a "pure" driving machine like an F430 Scuderia, a Lotus Exige or Porsche GT3 or even 997 GT2. If you want, replace all normal "I need to get from A to B" cars with electric ones, but leave the performance sector alone.

Probably because the standard of personal transportation is built around the internal combustion engine. Change will more than likely happen eventually, just not right away. The automobile industry is off to a good start however with many manufacturers developing hybrid cars and fuel saving technology such as cylinder deactivation.

Personally for me, I wouldn't be caught dead in an electric car. I love the enginge rumbles, the smells and sounds you get from running straights off a big V8. Electric cars would just seem odd for me... sterilized in a way I guess.

Also, it is narrated by former-President Sheen.

Fact is that an electric car cannot replace a "pure" driving machine like an F430 Scuderia, a Lotus Exige or Porsche GT3 or even 997 GT2. If you want, replace all normal "I need to get from A to B" cars with electric ones, but leave the performance sector alone.

That's kind of the idea. Performance cars make up such a small segment of the market that they're trivial compared to mass market vehicles; besides, given the way oil prices will be going, it's not like most people would even be able to afford to operate them. Those who can will, and those who won't will buy electric cars. Besides, it's not like people use them to run errands; it's a completely different market with a completely different purpose. Not to mention, from an environmental standpoint, the performance market is miniscule compared to the general purpose car market in terms of emissions and oil consumption. Those 2.3 billion Indians and Chinese aren't buying Porsches, to say the least.

Personally, I'd get an electric car in a heartbeat, not the least so I can have the satisfaction of seeing Saudi Arabia decay and rust back to the impoverished ruin it was before oil was discovered. Seeing those bastards fall apart would make me very, very happy.

I'd still rather have me a flying car. :cool:

Have you seen the trouble the plebes have with biaxial transport? Can you imagine them even beginning to hande 3 axes of movement? Now do you have the balls to go up there with them? Not a fucking chance.

I did a huge research paper on alternative fuels for my chemistry program. Purely electric cars are not that impressive imo. If I had to bet on something, I would put my money on diesel-electric hybrids that run off of biodiesel. Expect the sports cars of the future to b torque monsters!

BTW electric motors produce maximum torque at 0 mph. So electric cars can accelerate like mad up to about 60-80 mph, then they just sort of flat-line.