Quote:
Originally Posted by Cbrenthus
I'm not "against" electric, I just think that it is the result of propaganda rather than actual facts. The issues I have with electric cars are:
1. How much energy does it take to charge? I really haven't been able to find this out, but wouldn't want to replace $200 in gas with $300 in electric bills
2. Electricity comes from energy, just like gas. Except for a few wind, solar, nuclear, or water plants, most electricity still comes from carbon based energy, so even though the car may be clean during use, its still creating pollution.
3. What do replacement batteries cost?
4. For the Volt in particular, whatever happened to it being an electric vehicle? I heard all along that it was all electric, but at the last minute, it turns out its a hybrid all along.
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Remember that this varies depending on how you use the car. If you have a commute that is less than 40 miles per day, you will never need to use the gas part of the car. This is where it differs from hybrids like the Prius which require gas to generate the electricity to charge the car...and where the MPG for those vehicles come into play.
1. In reading up on this, the cost is dependent on how far you drive. Let's assume that you use the car for your commute and you commute 30 miles a day. According to some articles and reviews I've read, it would cost 25-30 dollars a month to charge the car from your house. Some services are offering charging (like when you're at work) for 40 dollars a month, unlimited. I expect that these services are charging more than the actual cost to charge a car. Still...pretty damn good considering it would cost 200-240 a month to do the same in the Camaro.
2. Most intelligent people know this. I personally am for more nuclear plants (even with what's going on in Japan). Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have a lot of Hydro energy as well. Overall, though, the pollution from modern nuclear reactors is minimal compared to what cars produce. Many anti-electric people argue that the chemicals to create green cars is a lot, but that's true of any vehicle produced. I'm not a tree hugger in any sense of the word...I look at Electric vehicles as an effecient and cheaper method of travel...especially as the technology gets better. And that will happen.
3. They are probably expensive, and not something I've researched. It would be something I'd ask about, especially on how it's covered in warrantee. Also, how long are the batteries expected to last.
4. Well, some call the Volt electric, and others call it Hybrid. I think it's a car that you really can't classify because it depends on how you use it. It's fully electric if you drive it in a way where the gas engine (generator) doesn't kick in to charge the batteries. Unlike a Prius, it can be run entirely off of the battery charge. It's not really intended to run long distances on electric alone.