LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

What's it cost to charge an EV? Combined with the much higher purchase price, costs of home charging stations, battery replacement in a decade, battery disposal cost, higher insurance premiums, time costs and perhaps other things, a lot more than people think. Perhaps, and for many certainly, more than the cost of operating a good ICE vehicle. But again, the inmates are being allowed to run the asylum.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-charge-an-electric-car/ar-AAXukQg?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=54b2b7c6fd384a37b5485ced018d5e95

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

They are not walking away from hydrogen. They are developing both — for customers in different circumstances. Not everyone lives near a charging station.

It will take years to build the infrastructure to power these cars, which is why more than one solution is needed.

One of the biggest clean energy challenges is how to store power generated via solar and wind for use at night and when the wind is not blowing. That is critical, since most vehicles will be charged at night.

If we put solar panels on most rooftops, that will generate a lot of power, but it has to be used immediately, or shared over the grid, or stored. A two car family would need a very large battery bank in the garage, a full complement of solar panels on the roof, and a connection to the grid, to share excess and supplement peak demand.

Utility companies will still be required, mostly for power sharing and supplemental generation services.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

The same logic applies to any source of electricity. When it comes to using energy to power vehicles, it takes more energy to first use fossil fuel as a power source to produce electricity. And then use that electricity to power an electric car. It's better to power a conventional car directly with fossil fuels. It's more efficient, will ultimately cost less and has a lower carbon footprint. Using wind or solar is not a solution either as the source of electricity. We can not produce enough electricity for an electric vehicle transportation market via wind/solar. And even if we could produce enough electricity for conversion to all electric vehicles, the cost of electricity would go up to a point more expensive that using fossil fuels. And by the way, you'll also be using that same now high-priced electricity for residential, commercial and industrial use so the cost of everything will go up.

The only power source that can handle the increased demand created by electric vehicles is nuclear. Good luck with that. We haven't built a new nuclear power plant in at least 50 years even though the latest technology is far safer than what we already have installed. What we do have is about 400 yrs worth of fossil fuels in this country that we have been using and can continue to use. Our national carbon foot print is lower than any large society anywhere and we can do even better if given the opportunity to develop our technology.

Schoee Loc: Europe

. Our national carbon foot print is lower than any large society anywhere and we can do even better if given the opportunity to develop our technology.[/quote]

I am not sure that is true. I think US emissions are pretty high.

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

How much will a new battery cost???

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

No word on that. Toyota hasn't released the BZ4X yet. That is their first battery electric vehicle for 2023.

I do know a brand new high voltage traction battery for a Gen 3 Prius is around $2500 plus installation (total $3000 to $3500). But those batteries typically last at least 150,000 miles or ten years. They have to, by warranty, provided the owner cleans or replaces the battery fan filter regularly. I've never had one fail. We have three Priuses and a Lexus ES 300h, all of which are running great at 95k, 100K, 186K, and 70K. They are the best and most reliable cars we've owned since I bought my first car (a Corolla) in 1977.

I see hybrids as an enormously important step toward electrification. Just by regenerative braking, they can be 1.5 to 2 times more efficient than equivalent ICE cars. ALL their power ultimately comes from gasoline, unless you buy a plug-in hybrid. There's no starter, no alternator, the brakes last over 100,000 miles, and they haven't burned oil before around 110,000 miles. Reliability is AWESOME. They are not sexy, flashy, or status symbols, but they get us where we are going economically, reliably, and comfortably. If I have to replace a high voltage battery, I'm okay with that, since I've been saving so much money on other repairs since 2008. But I'd probably buy a remanufactured battery and sell or trade the car soon after.

Plug-in hybrids get up to 40 miles on battery alone before the engine kicks in to recharge the battery. Many folks can drive all week without gasoline, if they live close to work, shopping, worship, and schools. Others with a plug-in hybrid can greatly reduce their use of gasoline. Yet they can still drive from NYC to Miami and get 40+ MPG at inflated highway speeds.

We were recently in San Diego, CA, to see our daughter. Gas was $6.00 a gallon there, about 50% more than here in NC. We saw dozens of Prius and Prius v taxi cabs at the airport. I asked one driver how many miles he had on his Prius v, the one my wife owns. He said over 440,000! It was on its third traction battery, but the original engine, inverter, and transmission were fine. He still gets 40+ MPG "with aggressive taxi driving."

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

It'll be a cold day in hell before i get an electric car!

Bison Bud

I agree that the hybrids, especially the "Plug-in Hybrids" are probably the best bet, at least for now. Being able to run full electric, then switch to gas powered is a big plus in my eyes. Having both systems is indeed the best of both worlds and the two could compliment each other for quite some time to come. However, the electrical range capability on currently offered plug-ins appears to be rather limited and is going to have to make some real improvement before I make the leap. I also agree that all EV batteries should be made to be replaceable, as they do indeed wear out. If Tesla's batteries are not replaceable, I will never be a customer no matter how good they are otherwise.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

When Musk encounters serious competitors who offer replaceable batteries, Teslas will lose a lot of appeal.

Right now, some of the best deals on hybrids are 4-7 year-old Priuses, Camrys, Avalons, and Lexus ES 300h models. If they have 40,000 to 60,000 miles, they are likely in excellent shape, especially if driven by retirees living in Central Florida who kept them garaged and had them serviced on time at dealers. My mechanic is amazed by them.

JerryOSF Loc: Bristol, VA

I have a Prius Prime (a plug in hybrid). It is my third Prius since 2008 (the 1st plug-in). I get 24 to 30 miles from a full charge (max about 4 hours charge time at home). Then average 60 mpg on gas. Many of our trips are 15 to 40 miles. Our mileage for the last 27,000 miles is 104 mpg. On long trips we just stop for gas. When we brake in a Prius it charges the battery, it doesn't heat the wheels.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Actually it's a mixture. Hard braking is conventional and heats the wheels. Moderate braking charges the battery. It's all in your driving style.

And the final few MPH are handled by the conventional brakes. If you're braking on a hill, it's on the wheel. My prius will hold on a moderate hill after I release the brake until I touch the accelerator.