Seattle Husker, That Tesla may be very close to the very first practical electric car, if it isn't. The question is going to be how quickly they can get the production facility up and running. 300 miles on a charge is plenty for most folks for most days. There is a huge golden carrot that is being dangled out there on the end of a string and the first car company that produces it is going to make some people very, very rich.
Top Gear calls this car the "most important car in 100 years". Honda Clarity is a hydrogen/electric car with no batteries. The Link
We may one day get to say "We were alive when..." for yet another major happening or revolution. This will be fun to watch and be a part of.
Craig, BINGO. You hit on what I have mentioned (and some others as well) that hydrogen is probably the best chance of being the fuel of the future. So much so I will go ahead and contradict politicians of today and say that they Chevy Volt is actually the final nail in GM's coffin, not it's saviour. That 4 door Tesla is one sexy sexy car, and practical! The only issue with it is that it is electric only right? So it is ONLY 300 miles, with no chance of more driving without a recharge? That means no chance of a roadtrip. I think that is still a major limitation. Not for everyday driving, but for driving flexibility. Also, 50k is great, but still 2 to 3 times what I am willing/capable for paying for a car.
Bevo, How about you drive it from Temple to Red River NM, where we vacation? A bit out of range.. and right now that is a one day drive. ALL day. It would become a multiple day drive with the need for at least one over night stay to recharge. You also have the toxicity of batteries. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. And should be cheaper than battery powered electrics as well. And won't tax the power grid.
check out "who killed the electric car?" or something like that. a documentary on why "they" will never let an electric car get "popular".
I'd buy an Aptera today if I could (the 18 year old and now rarely used "backup" car needs to be replaced). By the time Aptera is available here, it might not be my "in town" vehicle of choice. Interesting article about a vehicle from "Detroit Electric," expected in USA Q3 2010. This EV slideshow is also worth a look. I'd be content with even about 80 mile range, 50 if "plug in at work" or battery swap stations come about as predicted. I expect our '04 Prius to run for a couple hundred thousand more miles, so I see no reason to pay what it is going to cost for a long range EV. And it isn't just about mileage; the '04 Prius hit the market with emissions 90% below the average vehicle. (Since then some non-hybrids have achieved similarly impressive reductions.) GM claims they have a car as good or bettter than Accord, but when I looked at the pollution data it wasn't remotely comparable. So I expect the Volt to have lousy numbers on that score also.
If I can't haul a kayak or my bike, or the dog and the gf around, or take it on a back road to get to a hunting lease then I don't want it. If they make a hybrid/electric/whatever that can do all those things above then I'll look at it, but until then I'm driving my SUV.
"Rip, I was thinking about something. Would you consider your beautiful, no, your gorgeous Corvette safer and less of a death trap than this car which has a more solid body than even all metal cars of the past? I am not suggesting for one nano-second that this is more attractive or in the same ballpark as your whip." yikes, i forgot to check back on this thread. The only thing is, I'm not really that worried about me. Other family members mostly, and I don't know that we'll be traveling in that car anytime.
100 miles is a second car not a primary car, same for 300 miles, but almost no need for a second car at 300. With a battery charge or swap? I like the hydroelectric concept in general. Though I think it will be interesting to see how much influnce present fuel suppliers have in pushing one power source over another. Mainly I like Hyrdroelectric because it will be more flexible because of longer haul ability. Then you can have primary vehicles that can "do it all."
Since all you guys have been at this awhile, you might appreciate some humor... I thought it said, "Practical electric chair."
If I ever see one of those on the open highway I will run it off the road with my mini-cooper. Don't patronize me
