Do you drive an "electric" car?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Supposedly, we have had electric cars way back in your grandfather's day. But they are having a hard time getting accepted. Again electric cars are in our future. But have they really been accepted. Do you drive an "electric" car? What do think about them? Sooner or later, we're going to have to switch from gas to electric. This was always in the distant future. Do you believe the switch is a lot nearer than we thought?
 

Yes, A Chevy Bolt. It was something Rick always wanted. It is a lease so I will have it another year. It gets pretty good range, about 300 miles in good weather. In the winter, not so much. With my current driving, I can charge it just about once a week.
It is OK. But I am not totally sold on it. I will probably switch back to gas.
Despite what they say, it is still a bit hard to find charging stations, though I am sure that will improve, as will range on the cars. I have a high power charging station attached to the house, so that is a plus, and it does not cost a lot, if I charge during off peak hours. But until range and technology improves, a long distance travel is out of the question.
 
No way. 300 miles is about the farthest an electric vehicle will go. It might barely get me from San Antonio to Dallas before needing a charge. If I wanted to drive to Santa Fe (which we have done several times) or to Oklahoma City, we'd have to make it an overnight trip. Finding a charging station might a trick, and it could take several hours for a full charge. We have also driven to Dallas and back in a day, which wouldn't be possible in an electric vehicle. So NO, I am not about to buy an electric vehicle. They may be fine for city driving, but in the wide open spaces of Texas, they are impractical. In addition, electric vehicles don't have the power to, say, haul a cattle trailer, or a hay wagon. There are many reasons why people don't accept electric cars, and practicality is chief among them.
 

Have ya ever seen a "Mullen" ? 100-150,000 dollars . Why do they keep introducing all these high-end electric cars, and yet they wonder why people do not flock to but them?......Lower the price, get the "blue-collar" class involved, and they may become popular?..........Note: I do not want one period...but that's just me.......jmo
 
I am not very enthused about electric cars....limited range, long recharge times (if you can find a recharge station), and rather high initial purchase prices. I suppose they are ok for someone who just does some local driving, and has a recharge station in their garage, but anyone who wants to drive more than a couple hundred miles might find a lot of time consuming inconveniences. Rather than electric, I would like to see Hydrogen powered cars....unlimited water to break down into hydrogen and oxygen, and the "exhaust" just recreates water. No matter what, if anything, replaces gas/diesel vehicles, there is going to be a long and expensive "transition" period to create enough recharge/refuel stations to make these next generation vehicles practical.
 
Way back then ( Mid 1930s) a neighbor lady had an electric car; very pretty but wouldn't go very far on a single charge. They've prolly improved by now.
 
There was the guy whose motor died in his gasoline car, so he replaced it with an electric motor. His only problem was that after he crossed the railroad tracks, passing trains cut his extension cord in two.:cool:
 
Maybe OK if it's just a substitute for Uber or some such service for running errands. If you head out of town often you better know where the charging stations are located and what do you do while it spends a considerable amount of charging? Sit and read a book?
 
I do think the charging stations are a major concern for electric cars. The electric utility I work for is offering rebates on personal (home) charging stations for people who buy electric cars. They say they are going to start installing charging stations throughout the city. It will be interesting to see if this has any impact here.
 
As I said in my first response, I drive one now. But only because it was my husband's dream to own one. I like it OK, but would still consider going back to a gas power car when the lease on this one is up. I will not be driving as much as in the past, but wand to be able to do road trips without worrying about where to find a charging station. Plus, some of them I have come across, especially in public parking areas cost money. I guess I understand, but there is no indication on the terminals how much they charge.
 
An electric car would not be practical for me unless the parking garage in my apartment complex installs charging stations tied to my utility account.

I will probably never own or drive an electric car, I'm more likely to move towards some form of chauffeur-driven transportation.

I agree with Don that hydrogen power should be getting more attention.

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I would be happy with an electric car - as soon as it charges faster, charging stations are as common as gas stations & the range improves to at least 400 miles (like my Nissan Altima). Until then, no thanks.
 
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