Enter the performance age in electric cars!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I'd like to see some type of cost comparison between how much it costs to charge a car verses the cost of gasoline boiled down to cost per mile. Some people seem to think that plugging in to the electrical socket is free compared to the cost of gas (No one here is suggesting that). I'd just like to see a comparison. I'd also like to see a comparison chart on the pollution effects too. I read somewhere that Georgia power produces 47% of the pollution in Georgia. So that's 47% for a dozen power stations compared to 53% for several million cars and trucks.

[Joe 1320]

I'd like to see some type of cost comparison between how much it costs to charge a car verses the cost of gasoline boiled down to cost per mile. Some people seem to think that plugging in to the electrical socket is free compared to the cost of gas (No one here is suggesting that). I'd just like to see a comparison. I'd also like to see a comparison chart on the pollution effects too. I read somewhere that Georgia power produces 47% of the pollution in Georgia. So that's 47% for a dozen power stations compared to 53% for several million cars and trucks.

In the article, there was a cost comparison where the electric vehicle was basically equal to 130 mpg. Now pollution is an entirely different matter. Today's vehicles as a whole are much cleaner than non nuclear powerplants. Nuclear power is the answer here. The problem is that nobody wants a reactor in their neighborhood. Even if the cost to use were the same, I would want electric power. I've gotten very tired of all the thermal inefficiencies of internal combustion engines, the noise, tune ups, fuel mixtures, etc. I've been dreaming of a cooler running and quiet powerplant with monster torque and freedom from convenience store gas pumps.

So where is a "Mr. Fusion" when you need one.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

In the article, there was a cost comparison where the electric vehicle was basically equal to 130 mpg.

Yea I saw that but I would like to see some numbers behind that to make me believe it. Like how many watts it takes to charge it.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

The CEO of the company posts on Autoblog alot.

He states the car takes about 3 hours to fully charge. All orders have been filled.

If the Tesla sells as well as it looks like it will, he has plans for a phase 2 model that will be much less ...maybe 50K.


Phase 3 should put the car in the price of most consumers, albeit with more reasonable passenger car specs, not a sports car.


Batteries will be the car's of the futurte...not E85, hydrogen, biofuel, etc.


Mark my words, we will see battery powered cars with solar cells on the top surfaces of the vehicle in our lifetime. My guess...15 years.


The new generation of solar cells due out next year cost 1/5 current generation, and the substrate is similar to mylar film. It can be formed to any shaped surface. Plug your car in at night, trickle charge on the way to work with the solar cells lining your hood, top, and rear deck, and get 300 miles on a charge. You'll see...

[Roger in Kensington]

In the article, there was a cost comparison where the electric vehicle was basically equal to 130 mpg. Now pollution is an entirely different matter. Today's vehicles as a whole are much cleaner than non nuclear powerplants. Nuclear power is the answer here. The problem is that nobody wants a reactor in their neighborhood. Even if the cost to use were the same, I would want electric power. I've gotten very tired of all the thermal inefficiencies of internal combustion engines, the noise, tune ups, fuel mixtures, etc. I've been dreaming of a cooler running and quiet powerplant with monster torque and freedom from convenience store gas pumps.

So where is a "Mr. Fusion" when you need one.

Well, this sounds all well and good, but we are forgetting the irresistible urge of government to screw things up.

My latest electric bill from PEPCO states that they are charging 9.99 cents per kilowatt-hour for generation and transmission. This, of course, does not include taxes, environmental fees, etc.

And therein is the problem.

Federal, state and local governments take in a LOT of money from gasoline taxes. Don't think for a moment that governments are going to watch that source of revenue dry up as you and I plug in our cars at night while thumbing our noses as we pass the local gas station. Look for governments to tack on lots of taxes on your electric bill, and for the cost of your electric vehicle to increase.

You think your going to beat the system with solar cells? Think again:

A quick check online at www.solarenergy.com finds a company called BP Solar in Linthicum, Maryland, offering solar panels that it claims are "the most efficient Photovoltaic Modules commercially available." Its model BP-275 panel costs $456, weighs 16.5 pounds, has an area of 6.8 square feet, and a maximum output of 75 watts.

One horsepower is equivalent to 750 watts. To power a 50-horsepower motor would require the use of 500 solar panels weighing 8250 pounds, occupying an area of 3400 square feet, and costing $228,000! And it wouldn’t work at night or on cloudy days.

Even if you increase efficiency (and decrease costs) by a factor of 10, that does not bode well for solar cells on your car.

This is NOT an argument against electric cars, plug-in hybrids, etc. Just adding a dash of reality to the discussion.

[Joe 1320]

Well, this sounds all well and good, but we are forgetting the irresistible urge of government to screw things up.

My latest electric bill from PEPCO states that they are charging 9.99 cents per kilowatt-hour for generation and transmission. This, of course, does not include taxes, environmental fees, etc.

And therein is the problem.

Federal, state and local governments take in a LOT of money from gasoline taxes. Don't think for a moment that governments are going to watch that source of revenue dry up as you and I plug in our cars at night while thumbing our noses as we pass the local gas station. Look for governments to tack on lots of taxes on your electric bill, and for the cost of your electric vehicle to increase.

You think your going to beat the system with solar cells? Think again:

A quick check online at www.solarenergy.com finds a company called BP Solar in Linthicum, Maryland, offering solar panels that it claims are "the most efficient Photovoltaic Modules commercially available." Its model BP-275 panel costs $456, weighs 16.5 pounds, has an area of 6.8 square feet, and a maximum output of 75 watts.

One horsepower is equivalent to 750 watts. To power a 50-horsepower motor would require the use of 500 solar panels weighing 8250 pounds, occupying an area of 3400 square feet, and costing $228,000! And it wouldn’t work at night or on cloudy days.

Even if you increase efficiency (and decrease costs) by a factor of 10, that does not bode well for solar cells on your car.

This is NOT an argument against electric cars, plug-in hybrids, etc. Just adding a dash of reality to the discussion.

Solar cells would likely be best used at home to suppliment your electricity source. And of course...... the government is going to get greedy and tax the snot out of your electric bill.

[fastTa]

I'm all for doing whatever we can to lessen the pollution we release into the world as humans. But, electric cars will likely and unfortunately not become a reality in our lifetimes unless you are a very, very wealthy person.

Even the amorphous silicon panels and copper indium diselenide panels, dubbed to be one of the most effcient right now, are still extremely expensive relative to the power output and life expectancy of the panels themselves. The cost trends are not drastically changing for the better and the power conversion efficiencies of the current technologies are slowly progressing.

Like Roger suggested, the government will surely find a way to dip it's greedy finger into the photovoltaic pot, screwing up the technology from efficiently getting from the science labs to the factories for mass production at a reasonable rate and cost.

Besises that, I would get bored in an electric car after less than hour no matter how fast it was. Nothing can replace the experience of owning and driving a V8 powered car.

You wake up early on a cool Fall Saturday morning, admiring the glossy shine of the Zaino all over your hotrod as you walk towards it pressing the unlock button on your remote. You remove the t-tops, hop in the driver's seat, and twist the key to bringing the beast to life. You get a few goosebumps as you sit in your comfortable leather seats and let the V8 powerplant rumble as it warms up it's blood. All the gauges show normal, you take one last smell of 400 HP being emitted, then put in gear and let'er rip!

You pull into the gas station as you look forward to flirting with the hot girl pumping gas next to you and shooting the normal BS with the clerks. As you top of the tank, you take the time to enjoy that familiar whiff of the gasoline that brings life to your baby every time you twist the key.

Now you look over at that hottie who was pumping gas next to you and is now sitting in your passenger seat smiling as you get the car sideways and row through a few gears letting every cylinder sing. You think to yourself, "Man, life is good! "

Electric cars ain't got nothin' on that.

[Joe 1320]

Electric cars ain't got nothin' on that.

Don't forget that sometimes, stealth is more effective. Imagine an AWD, whisper quiet, 800 lbs of torque, and you can carry on a nice conversation with the lady in the seat next to you with no complaints of the noise. Then obliterate the muscle car in the next lane should you get the urge. I'm all for a good sounding Hot Rod, but there is definately a place for this type of sledgehammer torque, especially without the opponant or Johnny law hearing you coming.

[Trans Am]

Besises that, I would get bored in an electric car after less than hour no matter how fast it was. Nothing can replace the experience of owning and driving a V8 powered car.

You wake up early on a cool Fall Saturday morning, admiring the glossy shine of the Zaino all over your hotrod as you walk towards it pressing the unlock button on your remote. You remove the t-tops, hop in the driver's seat, and twist the key to bringing the beast to life. You get a few goosebumps as you sit in your comfortable leather seats and let the V8 powerplant rumble as it warms up it's blood. All the gauges show normal, you take one last smell of 400 HP being emitted, then put in gear and let'er rip!

You pull into the gas station as you look forward to flirting with the hot girl pumping gas next to you and shooting the normal BS with the clerks. As you top of the tank, you take the time to enjoy that familiar whiff of the gasoline that brings life to your baby every time you twist the key.

Now you look over at that hottie who was pumping gas next to you and is now sitting in your passenger seat smiling as you get the car sideways and row through a few gears letting every cylinder sing. You think to yourself, "Man, life is good! "

Electric cars ain't got nothin' on that.

So true!! i can relate to that 100% !

and the 'smell of 400 HP being emitted' combined with the smell of tyre smoke and gas ,dont tell you wont miss that if you drive an electric car... i miss this whenever i drive some other car

[fastTa]

Don't forget that sometimes, stealth is more effective. Imagine an AWD, whisper quiet, 800 lbs of torque, and you can carry on a nice conversation with the lady in the seat next to you with no complaints of the noise. Then obliterate the muscle car in the next lane should you get the urge. I'm all for a good sounding Hot Rod, but there is definately a place for this type of sledgehammer torque, especially without the opponant or Johnny law hearing you coming.

Honestly I really don't care about stealth. I like to build and drive cars that are fast enough and loud enough to where I don't even have to worry about stealth.

With the ungodly amount of power available with a turbo car, you can easily build a 1000+ RWHP street car nowadays that is quiet, good on gas, and will lay the smack down on just about anything on the road.

......and I still, and always will, love getting my hands dirty turning a wrench whenever one of my rides needs some work.