bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/will-an-electric-car-save-you-money-a9436870083/?

I'll stick with my Ford F150 4X4!

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Thx b. Very informative. I like the way it was presented.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Me, too.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Without ready or watching the Videos
There is no way that an electric car can save you money!!! For so many reasons.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Not me, my 99 Isuzu Rodeo only has 208000 miles on it and runs well. Only 13 y to go and I will be 100... I will be Cremated in the Rodeo, We will both be shredded and recycled.

Red6

I am not sure you can directly compare the costs of driving and electric vs gas-powered. The comparison is more complicated. In my opinion, it all depends on the battery technology and I think our technology is not where it needs to be to make electric cars both reliable and cost-effective in all situations.

An electric vehicle (EV) for someone who never travels more than 80-100 miles to work, shopping, or local errands may save money over a gas-powered vehicle. Maintenance will save money since electric vehicles do not need tune-ups, oil and air filter changes, radiator servicing, exhaust system repair, etc. There is also the convenience of bypassing the lines at the gas station and charging your car at home. It could be the near-perfect vehicle for the retired person(s) that run simple errands, goes to church on Sunday, and does short grocery shopping trips during the week. Other than tires, it could run for years with little or no maintenance.

However, using it to drive hundreds of miles a day is, in my opinion, impractical at this time. In addition, once away from home then you must pay to recharge your car and sit and wait while it does. Personally, when I travel I like to drive 7-8 hours a day and cover at least 400-500 miles before stopping for the night. I do not think there are any electric cars that could do that. Also, I have not seen any charging stations at hotels along the interstate. Maybe plans are in place to add them but I have not seen them here in the south. Charging infrastructure is a huge issue concerning EVs. It will be very expensive to build an infrastructure to support EVs anywhere near the size or capability of the gasoline infrastructure in place today. And, if built, will carry taxes and fees that will make the EVs even less desirable than they are now.

There are also cold and hot weather issues. Using the AC in hot weather and the heater in cold weather is a battery drain since both are electrically powered thus cutting into the range of the vehicle. Extremely cold climates pose other issues as we have seen in some northern locations this year.

Electric vehicles have some advantages but are not prime-time players yet. Gas or some type of alternate fuel-powered vehicles will be around for a long time. I think EVs have some advantages but are not the panacea for all our problems with gas-powered vehicles. Pollution is still an issue for EVs if the batteries are not properly recycled and disposed of. The next decade will be interesting, but given my current situation and age, I doubt if I will be driving an EV in my lifetime.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

SO what is your answer? Yes or No

RiJoRi Loc: Sandy Ridge, NC

Agreed. Another factor is where does the electricity come from? California may be interesting with their "go-green" philosophy combined with the drought in that area. (Maybe a maker of exercise bicycles could attach generators to their equipment so people could exercise and recharge their EVs at the same time! 😉)

Perhaps the day will come that all EV batteries will have a few identical sizes, and be easily swappable, so you go to the recharge station and swap your near-dead battery for a fully charged one...

--Rich

Red6

I do not see the answer as a simple YES or NO, white or black. Like photography, there are shades of gray between the extremes.

As I noted, EVs may be OK for some applications but not for others. Every application and each person's needs are different and varied.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I believe it's important to know that electric automobiles weigh more than comparable size conventional automobiles due to the weight of their batteries. This is important to realize because 'mass in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an equal or opposite force'. This means that if you are in a conventional automobile and you get struck by an electric automobile, you will get the worse outcome in the collision. Kind of like a dump truck hitting a compact car at comparable speeds. It's that pesky Law of Physics thing.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

The question was, Will they save you money!just the price of the vehicle not to mention maintenance, makes a yes or no answer simple