Electric car?
Apr 8, 2019 17:45:12 #
DIRTY HARRY
Loc: Hartland, Michigan
A 2018 study from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that electric vehicles cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars. The average cost to operate an EV in the United States is $485 per year, while the average for a gasoline-powered vehicle is $1,117.
The exact price difference depends on gas and electric rates where you live, plus the type of car you drive. Depending on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency rating, the money you spend to fill up your gas tank will translate to varying travel ranges. “Fuel-efficient” conventional cars are designed to maximize their miles per gallon (mpg) rating, thus costing the least amount of money per mile travelled. A car rated at 30 mpg will cost less money in fuel over time than a car rated at 20 mpg.
The exact price difference depends on gas and electric rates where you live, plus the type of car you drive. Depending on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency rating, the money you spend to fill up your gas tank will translate to varying travel ranges. “Fuel-efficient” conventional cars are designed to maximize their miles per gallon (mpg) rating, thus costing the least amount of money per mile travelled. A car rated at 30 mpg will cost less money in fuel over time than a car rated at 20 mpg.
Apr 8, 2019 17:51:03 #
elliott937 wrote:
Since we've had the pleasure of learning other new concepts, I'm curious to ask if any of you are driving, or have had, or planning on purchasing an electric car, something like the Nisson Leaf or any other?
Not ready for prime time.
We have four Prius cars. FANTASTIC cars. So trouble free and economical to own, insure, repair, and drive. And no, we haven’t had issues with high voltage batteries in 180,000 miles, 166,500, 66,500, and 62,000.
Apr 8, 2019 18:40:47 #
James56 wrote:
Well, I can only get about 4-5 years out of my car battery before it completely craps out. Does that mean all the batteries in a electric car need to be changed out every few years. That's my concern...how long will the batteries last. I bet replacing them isn't cheap either.
I have only gotten 4-5 years out of the lead-acid batteries in my cars, trucks, and tractors. But they're not the same batteries that run the hybrid cars. My last Prius ran 12 years on the original battery and it tested just fine when I traded it for a new one. The only reason I got a new one is that the newer models have much more safety features than the old one did and since I'm aging I felt it was a good idea to have the new features such as adaptive cruise control and lane guidance.
Apr 8, 2019 19:14:30 #
LWW wrote:
Why would anyone want to drive a coal
powered car?
powered car?
THAT is an excellent question!
Apr 8, 2019 19:17:36 #
DIRTY HARRY wrote:
Myth: electric car well-to-wheel emissions are lar... (show quote)
Don’t be so sure......remember to include the creation of the battery, the powering of the battery (overwhelmingly carbon based), and the disposal of the battery.
Apr 8, 2019 19:22:24 #
jerroldh wrote:
I would wait until later in the year as there are so many new all electric models coming out.
Dan Neil has an excellent article out there about waiting for the next wave of great electric models this year and next.....he’s a noted “car geek” with a deep American muscle bias, but he is personally waiting to trade in an old caravan for a next gen electric pick up this year or next.
Apr 8, 2019 19:23:52 #
berchman wrote:
I read that article and all the comments. What, ex... (show quote)
I think people are just trying to point out that these E cars are not a panacea and that one doesn’t have to be afraid of change to know it.
Apr 8, 2019 20:18:31 #
When BMW, Porsche and Mercedes are toying with the idea of building electric cars...you know the future of these cars are in the horizon. Would I ever buy one?... Probably not in my lifetime.
Apr 8, 2019 20:46:19 #
We bought a Honda Clarity last April. It's a plug-in hybrid. We get around 55-65 miles on electricity in the summer and about 30-35 in the winter. We've only used it around town with the vast majority of our miles driven being electric. Shortly after we bought it, my husband, an engineer, crunched some numbers and figured our cost per electric mile is about i/3 of what we'd pay for gas/mile. For trips we use our 2009 hybrid Prius, mainly because of the lack of charging stations. We are very happy with both cars and also feel we are doing our small part to combat climate change.
Apr 8, 2019 22:20:45 #
Amtrain wrote:
I cannot find the article someone sent me recently... (show quote)
That article, as reported by you, seems very outdated. I have a plug in Ford Fusion hybrid. In the summer I average well over 80 mpg, depending on how many trips over 22-24 miles, the range for electric during the summer. In the winter, driving simularly, i average in the mid-60s in mpg. I don't worry about having to charge on long trips, the gas engine takes over. I drive south to DC from NJ and there are more charging stations developing.
My biggest complaint is lack of trunk space, the batteries leave very little room.
I installed a 220 line in my garage with a 30 amp circuit and safely fully charge my car in 2 hours. Fully charged and gassed, my total range is over 550 miles!
Ford is one manufacturer who is abandoning sedans. There may be no plug in hybrid sedans next year. I hate to move to an SUV, but may have no choice.
Apr 8, 2019 22:59:21 #
JoeN
Loc: East Texas
I’m old enough that I may never buy another vehicle but if I do I will certainly consider either a hybrid or electric vehicle, if the price is in line with a gas powered vehicle. Battery technology will continue to improve, becoming lighter and more efficient, giving more range, and charging stations will become more plentiful so the electric car will become more practical. Eventually there may be more electric cars on the road than gas powered. If someone could develop a grill mounted fan or fan system that was efficient enough at highway speeds to power an alternator capable of charging the batteries, then an electric car could have an unlimited cruising distance.
Apr 9, 2019 01:33:00 #
PG&E is going to stop buying solar cell power in 2 years! Got this from a cell installer. Going to be some mad people out there!
Apr 9, 2019 06:16:03 #
We have the Outlander PHEV. We really like it, as it suits our needs perfectly. Electric for daily commute, petrol for everything else including long road trips. I'd love a true electric car at some point, when they become mainstream and the range goes up and prices come down! :)
Apr 9, 2019 06:41:42 #
Burtzy wrote:
I too have a roof covered with solar panels. I go... (show quote)
I am glad to hear that it makes cents, which means it makes sense. Here in Florida I am stunned at how few solar panels you see - most are simply to warm up swimming pool water. Not even solar domestic water heaters, which would be wonderfully efficient. I would like to have a hybrid house - photovoltaics - not enough to run big appliances like the stove, clothes dryer, etc., but enough to run the lights, small appliances, and maybe the AC (since hurricane-related power outages take place in the summer!). I also would like to explore the whole-house battery system that you charge at night when electricity is cheaper (in many places).
Apr 9, 2019 08:58:36 #
DIRTY HARRY wrote:
A 2018 study from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that electric vehicles cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars. The average cost to operate an EV in the United States is $485 per year, while the average for a gasoline-powered vehicle is $1,117.
How about we remove the $.41 a gallon tax on gas, and place it on a KW of electricity. Betcha won't be singing the cheaper tune then. Also, I wonder what subsidies are paid by big brother to induce electric car sales?
There is little doubt electric car is in our future, but it ain't here just yet. The main draw back is the battery, and lots of work is needed on that. When/if it is right, no Big Brother will be needed to convince the masses.
Similar to the government mandating florescent, mercury laden, pig light instead of incandescent. NOBODY wanted them. LED on the other hand, has totally replaced both, with no big brother intervention needed.
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