Skip to main content

Today's Poll: Assuming you could afford one, would you buy an electric car

By Howard B. Owens
Bea McManis

The only issue I'd have with the electric car is that you have to have a 220 service line installed so that it could be plugged in.
My son drove an electric car for over a year back and forth from Batavia to Honeoye Falls. He would plug it in for the night, then plug it in at work.
1.How many work places will have these plug in stations available?
2. What is the cost of charging the car at home?
That said, he liked the car and enjoyed driving it.
The fuel cell car seems like a better alternative fuel system.
jmho

Oct 13, 2010, 10:07am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Assuming I could afford it; I'd say that I would certainly consider it. Right now, the way my finances are and will be until the economy improves, the most important feature my 2 cars have is they are paid for!!!

Oct 13, 2010, 10:30am Permalink
Mike Weaver

The new plug in electric vehicles will be able to charge with either 110v or 220v so special charging stations won't be required. Any regular electrical outlet will do.

I am in the same boat as Dave. My cars are paid for, and that is their most valuable feature. When it is time to replace one of my cars, if electric vehicles are competitive price-wise with gas vehicles, you bet I'll seriously consider one.

Oct 13, 2010, 12:21pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

Two words: Road Trips.

Basically, all the "yes but"s above need to be met before I get one.

The Volt gas hybrid is close except the cost part.

Oct 13, 2010, 1:30pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Volt is an electric car that uses gas to create its own electricity. Plug it in, let it charge overnight, and it's ready to run on a pure electric charge for up to 40 miles(2) - gas and emissions free. After that, Volt keeps going, even if you can't plug it in. Volt uses a range-extending gas generator that produces enough energy to power it for hundreds of miles on a single tank of gas.
Arriving late 2010.
http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/fuel/electric.do?evar23=fue… page\

The Equinox Fuel Cell market test (not available for sale) is exploring more sustainable technology that can help reduce our dependence on petroleum, without sacrificing performance. (This will be ideal for road trips. blm)

It's not news that fossil fuels aren't renewable, so Chevrolet took it upon itself to lead the charge using cleaner fuel which can be produced from renewable energy sources.

Project Driveway was a three-city, real-world test program powered by Chevrolet's fourth-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology. This test program proved that zero tailpipe emissions and clean burning technology is close.
http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/fuel/cell.do?evar23=fuel_so… page

Oct 13, 2010, 2:45pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

First of all, if I could afford one, I'd buy a Volt in a minute. Second, Bea states "It's not news that fossil fuels aren't renewable". Actually there is new compelling evidence that fossil fuels including oil are renewable. It does explain why oil deposits that have been accepted as being derived from decayed plant and animal life, are routinely extracted tens of thousands of feet below any fossil remains. It also helps explain why oil deposits which were once expected to run out in the early 2000's are being found in abundant reserves more and more. I believe the non-renewable fossil fuel theory is just that and will soon fall by the wayside just as global warming is.

Oct 13, 2010, 6:25pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Jeff, the shortage probably started on wall st. Create a shortage,watch the price skyrocket, big business gets rich, the working man gets poorer, capitalism at its best.
My cars are paid for as well, and by the gloomy economic picture, they may have to last me a long time.

Oct 13, 2010, 7:05pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Yeah, with no seat belts, steering columns that will punch a hole through your heart, metal dashboards ...

But they sure did look great ...

Oct 13, 2010, 9:22pm Permalink
Brenda Ranney

Another good movie is Who Killed the Electric Car. Explained alot. Remember the EV1 ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJAlrYjGz8

We have been looking @ a GEM with a cargo option for city driving. An added bonus is that's it's butt ugly, low theft threat. Will have to wait until my current butt ugly dies. Currently getting 30 mpg & it's paid for.

Oct 14, 2010, 10:13am Permalink

Authentically Local