[Timgt5]

A couple of days ago, Investment guru Warren Buffet made the remark that in 20 years all new passanger cars sold would be electric.

If Electric cars were affordable, a sufficient infrastructure exisited to easily recharge them, and they had a range of 200 or more miles, would you buy one?

[NuckingFutz]

The thing about electric cars is that they run on electric power which is made from mining and burning coal. We burn processed fossil fuels now. Which is better for the environment?

[modelcarguy]

My biggest concern with electric cars is safety. They tend to burn a lot more in small accidents. They have so much electrical current in them, the slightest damage causes an arc and flames. A lot of firefighters have been seriously injured due to electic car accidents.
Also the batteries lose capacity in lower temperatures. If they are rated for a 200 mile trip what happens to that at 0 degrees? It becomes a 30 mile trip? There are a lot of things to work out before electric becomes the standard.

[eskielover]

After having a $2600 electric bill for 4 months last year, I am not sure that an electric car would actually cost me less to run. Like NuckingFutz said also, whether it's really better for the ecology either. I think the solar power is my best thought however. Electricity from geothermal can be developed also....but is based on location. Wind power is also an addition, but can't produce the amount of electricity we need.

My Brother-in-law is a director for one of the California city power plants..one of his college projects was a solar power car. My husband worked for awhile for the California company that built the wind turbins....learned quite a bit about our power industry from that. Also learned how much we really aren't told & don't know....just taking for granted.

There are many options...not all good,
eskielover

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by NuckingFutz

The thing about electric cars is that they run on electric power which is made from mining and burning coal. We burn processed fossil fuels now. Which is better for the environment?

Good point to raise!!

I think that before electric cars can become a real option, our power grid has to be addressed along with our sources of energy

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by modelcarguy

My biggest concern with electric cars is safety. They tend to burn a lot more in small accidents. They have so much electrical current in them, the slightest damage causes an arc and flames. A lot of firefighters have been seriously injured due to electic car accidents.
Also the batteries lose capacity in lower temperatures. If they are rated for a 200 mile trip what happens to that at 0 degrees? It becomes a 30 mile trip? There are a lot of things to work out before electric becomes the standard.

Valid points Modelcarguy. I think Mr. Buffet's prediction may be a bit too optimistic, although it is not always wise to bet against the "Oracle of Omaha" Technology is rapidly evolving and I think that automakers are for the first time truly serious about developing these things.

[Timgt5]

I thought I would bump this one, to get a few more replies...

[AAAAA]

I'd be interested for sure, but I don't ever see them becoming the car of choice in my area. I live in farm country, I don't know if they'll ever be able to make an electric truck powerful enough to tow a camper and a boat. Not to mention the sub zero weather nine months out of the year.

[Beholden]

Well, having an all electric house, and a very different water/pluming system, (it is "push button" 12 volt electric powdered-one pipe system for hot, cold, warm water to each sink)

.....that means I have not working water when the power goes out....how would our cars get power when the electicity goes out?

Today several places around here were without power due to high winds which knocked down power lines.

So I do not know how - with our current electic situation in this country we could do that. Way more needs to be improved or built and known before all electic cars are a thing.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by AAAAA

I'd be interested for sure, but I don't ever see them becoming the car of choice in my area. I live in farm country, I don't know if they'll ever be able to make an electric truck powerful enough to tow a camper and a boat. Not to mention the sub zero weather nine months out of the year.

Good point to raise, and I am glad people are thinking about this. As for a truck you have to remember something about electric motors, they have LOTS of torque, which is what matters when you tow something. Also unlike a conventional gasoline engine the torque in an electric motor is available instantly as opposed to having to wait for the engine to rev to generate torque.

The solution I think for Trucks and other larger vehicles would be a series Hybrid set up similar to the upcoming Volt. Where in there would be a Diseal engine acting as a large generator to high capacity electric motor, keeping it charged at all times and providing torque. Locomotives have had this set up for years and it would just be a matter of reducing the size of the system and making it affordable.

[Timgt5]

One more time! The Poll closes 12/23