What would persuade you to buy an electric car?

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:45 am

What would such a vehicle need ...for a 30-mile commute?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu May 07, 2009 1:27 pm

What would persuede me to buy an electric car?........... NOTHING !!!

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu May 07, 2009 1:35 pm

It would certainly have to do at least as much as my present car does. A 30 mile commute and then a charge would mean I would have to have a second car. So the range would need to be about the same as a normal car. If you run out of petrol you can at least walk or get a lift to a garage. Running out of electricity in the middle of the Yorkshire Moors might prove a bit more problematic

I would need a gizmo that sounded like a V8 when I put my foot down. That would help

Post by **spot** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:47 pm

I'd want it to be able to drive for five hours and then recharge in one. I'd need the hour off after a five hour drive anyway. A top speed the same as the national speed limit and fair acceleration up to it. I'd like to be able to overnight-charge at home from the domestic main as well, for economy.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu May 07, 2009 3:24 pm

Snowfire;1185040 wrote: It would certainly have to do at least as much as my present car does. A 30 mile commute and then a charge would mean I would have to have a second car.

Yes, but don't forget you are only using this for commuting 30 miles, your second car is not this one - what would it need?

Snowfire;1185040 wrote: I would need a gizmo that sounded like a V8 when I put my foot down. That would help : D

Oh, that can easily be arranged. Electronic revving noises, too - making noise doesn't need much extra power! Alternatively, I suppose a clothes-peg and a bit of cardboars, used with wire wheels...

The major issue I see is that it would need a low p

rice. Most of these things haven't, and the most energy efficient (e.g. a Tesla Roadster) cost lots of money.

princessladedah · Post by **princessladedah** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:14 pm

only if it was free

Post by **Sunshine** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:24 pm

Electric never. Solar powered is the way to go. Of course the sun would need to charge the batteries but still, it isn't electric.

farmer giles · Post by **farmer giles** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:25 pm

does a voltswagon count

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:47 am

The cost would have to be comparable with a small petrol car, performance to keep up with the other traffic easily and a decent range 500 miles or so. We've got two cars I use a small one for work justy cos it's usually just me in the car. I'm looking at new ones now-do I go for a bigger cheaper one that gets 35-40 to the gallon or spend a couple of thousand more and get 50+. Currently it's £40-£45 to fill a tank-not so long ago it was £60, people have short memories.

Can't see it happening without govt action-too many vested interests in keeping the car industry the way it is. Don't understand why they don,t go for diesel/electric hybrids rather than petrol/electric.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:47 am

The battery is the biggest obstacle I can see. Those things are incredibly expensive now, and they won't last more than a couple of years. Maybe someday they'll find a way to put a nuclear reactor under the hood.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:40 am

With the new Hybrids electrical cars are out. They cost to much, don't go far enough on a charge. Just doesn't work for the average driver any where in the world.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:56 am

Sunshine;1185233 wrote: Electric never. Solar powered is the way to go. Of course the sun would need to charge the batteries but still, it isn't electric.

Electricity from non-fossil sources seems to be indicated for the future, for whatever reason.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:07 am

I am setting up a new thread for this, as it's outside the specific "electric car" one.

End.

gmc;1185257 wrote: The cost would have to be comparable with a small petrol car, performance to keep up with the other traffic easily and a decent range 500 miles or so.

Trying to discuss a 30-mile commute, at the moment.

gmc;1185257 wrote: Can't see it happening without govt action

Gov't action is happening, though - the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions is in the Climate Change Bill, which sets a legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emission by at least 26 per cent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. The Bill also commits to reducing these levels by 60% 2050, now revised AFAIK to an 80% reduction.

New thread time? I've changed the title. I wonder what will happen.

Post by **spot** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:28 am

Bill Sikes;1185341 wrote: Trying to discuss a 30-mile commute, at the moment.It's a commute, it's 30 miles, in a sane world it would be on public transport. I suggest that as cars become less commonplace public transport will improve yet further.

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:55 am

Bill Sikes;1184942 wrote: What would such a vehicle need ...for a 30-mile commute?

Nothing

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:11 am

Bill Sikes;1184942 wrote: What would such a vehicle need ...for a 30-mile commute?
It depends, can you plug a T.V. into it?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:26 am

spot;1185094 wrote: i'd want it to be able to drive for five hours and then recharge in one. I'd need the hour off after a five hour drive anyway. A top speed the same as the national speed limit and fair acceleration up to it. I'd like to be able to overnight-charge at home from the domestic main as well, for economy.

wrong !

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:47 am

nothing until they can tell me they can dispose of the batteries in an environmentally friendly way?

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:57 am

minks;1185437 wrote: nothing until they can tell me they can dispose of the batteries in an environmentally friendly way?

Same here. the thing would probs bbq my house for all the energy it needs.:wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri May 08, 2009 11:37 am

minks;1185437 wrote: nothing until they can tell me they can dispose of the batteries in an environmentally friendly way?

Dont you work for a company that dumps used batteries in the ocean and buries them under ground causing toxic chemicals to seep into the fresh water supply killing innocent creatures and causing untold deaths amongst Eskimos ?

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:06 pm

Different types of batteries:

- Household/single-use (AA, AAA, C and D or alkaline, carbon-zinc, lithium, silver-zinc): cannot be recycled, safe to be thrown away

- Nickel-cadmium (NiCd): used in rechargeable batteries, hazardous waste, must be recycled

- Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-ion: used in laptops, non-hazardous waste, can be recycled

- Button cell: used in hearing aids and watches, contain silver and mercury, hazardous waste, can be recycled

- Automotive & sealed lead-based: used in car batteries, hazardous waste, can be recycled at auto part retailers or service stations.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:26 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1185488 wrote: Different types of batteries:

- Household/single-use (AA, AAA, C and D or alkaline, carbon-zinc, lithium, silver-zinc): cannot be recycled, safe to be thrown away

- Nickel-cadmium (NiCd): used in rechargeable batteries, hazardous waste, must be recycled

- Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-ion: used in laptops, non-hazardous waste, can be recycled

- Button cell: used in hearing aids and watches, contain silver and mercury, hazardous waste, can be recycled

- Automotive & sealed lead-based: used in car batteries, hazardous waste, can be recycled at auto part retailers or service stations.

If I put a car battery in the trash the garbage guy should be on top of it. He should be required to sift through the contents thus finding the battery and recycling it.

I feel this is the very least he could do if he values the trash I give him every week. I dont have to give him my trash. Theres plenty of other people out there that would love to have it.