Would you buy an electric car?

Question

Just think of all the money you would save on gas.

CalmUntilAbused · Accepted Answer

Well... I'd only save on gas until the prices of electricity skyrocketed, and the short ranges of electric cars combined with long charging times are simply unacceptable for any long-range journey. Especially in colder climate during winter, when heating itself drains the battery at an alarming rate. Not to mention that these electric cars are basically mobilem randomly activated crematoria. I definitely agree with that excerpt about internal combustion engines that You posted, though. And if I had to buy an electric car, I'd go for a fuel-cell powered one, of which there are supposedly only two models available as of now: Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo (I was really felt bad when I learned that Honda Clarity was discontinued while fact-checking my data for this opinion, it was actually a project that I learned about early in my childhood, while it was still officially known as Honda FCX - hopefully it will actually get a continuation one day). Not only is the refuelling time much more acceptable, but the range is extended, as well. And I guess I might come to appreciate how silent such a car is, at least as the driver (I might be trembling with fear while having to cross the street in a hurry, though, once most cars out there are electric). Money is not an issue, if I could afford even a regular electric car, I could afford the cost of hydrogen refuelling as well.

Massageman · Accepted Answer

No, no, never, never, uh-uh-UHHHHHH!

The only remotely possible decent use of an "electric" car would be to have a 12 volt battery and a booster motor/generator for a drive wheel on each side of the car. Electric motors are "torquey" off the line. Gasoline engines are good at cruising speeds. Let each handle what it does best. Let the motor/generator boost the car from a stop, with the gas engine running and doing the speed maintenance once cruising speed has been reached. In the meantime and during stopping, the regenerative motor/generators would be putting the energy back into the 12 volt (conventional) battery system. No lithium has to be ransomed out of China. No $10,000 battery packs suddenly going ta-ta after a couple of years of use.

People are so quick to look at these EV "panaceas" , but usually ignore the infrastructure, prestructure, and post-structure needed to mitigate the systems. Just can't be done in the practical sense.

sunflower00 · Accepted Answer

Yes, I would.

I don’t go too far - I live in a small area and really only go to work and back which is about a 30 mile trip in total. I live in a house where I could have a wall box installed, so I would just charge it overnight and not need to worry about public charging. It costs less to charge than to spend money on fuel.

The only downside is that the ones worth buying are extremely expensive compared to conventional petrol vehicles or hybrids so I would not be able to afford one.

northerngal · Accepted Answer

I would buy one for travel inside the city. Long trips no. The infrastructure cannot support EVs yet for long trips. I currently drive a plug in hybrid. It seems the best combination of efficiency and usability right now. I use the batteries running around town but have an engine for longer trips when charging is a pain.

Likes2drive · Answer

Not right now, I can’t install a quick charger where I am and they don’t have as many charging stations as they should for everyone to have one, cars are too quite so no one hears you coming

DrPepper12 · Answer

1) NO NOT YET. EV is not quite ready for prime time and neither are energy grids nor renewables. It's all aspirational and needs investment but it's fossil fuels for the next 50-75 years I'm afraid

2) I would buy and HIGHLY RECOMMEND a hybrid. Best of both worlds. I get 60 mpg and battery recharges via regenerative braking. Had it 8 years now and ZERO problems. Battery MAY need replacement in another 7+ years but it's expected maintenance and only $2-$4K installed.

3) I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER BUY A TESLA FROM THE GLOBAL THREAT THAT IS THE SPACE NAZI!! Fuck him and his global influence on governments policy and technologies. He is a real problem and his empire needs to be broken up.

WhiteSteve · Answer

I’d consider a hybrid. I’d probably want to lease it, though, because I think they need some electric battery replacement every five years or so, and that’s like $5k. I think I’d like to give them a decade or two to work out all the kinks on a full electric, and get it more affordable, haha. I was hearing the Teslas are a little rattle-y, like the body of the car is a little cheaply made. Never been in one, so I can’t say. But once they become the standard and auto companies put their best efforts into them, I have no objection to electric over gas.

Rangers · Answer

If prices for them come down, I'd consider it, but right now, they're just too damn expensive.

And everything depends on the battery not frying up after a few months, which is more than likely to happen. Replacing the battery will cost a minimum of $15,000

exitseven · Answer

If I could buy one that would have a decent 300 mile range, a fast charging time, would not cost more than a gas powered vehicle and would not catch fire in my garage I would buy one. Until that happens I just want the government to leave me alone.

Quigly · Answer

There is no money saved on gas. They just add that to the cost of the car and batteries when you need them. They also wear out tires faster. I would;dn't even buy a hybrid right now since they only add complexity and reliability issues. Many technicians are having difficulty working on cars today with all the electronic computerization of cars. Cars need to become simpler.

HighValue · Answer

The best part would be having one in CA with very high electric rates to get rid of all my money so my wallet would have plenty of room, and having an excuse to not go to work because of rolling brown outs due to a lack of adequate electric infrastructure. It being double the cost of a normal car with short range is just a bonus. :p

Lliam · Answer

Nope. Never. Not on your life.
They are worse for the environment than cars with internal combustion engines.
They are super expensive.
You can't take road trips.
There are so many other downsides that I wouldn't attempt to list them.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

I think people have to determine how much gas they would use and compare that to how quickly a batter goes in EV vehicles.

The thought of getting in line and waiting for charge when travelling is kind of a turn-off too, especially on a long weekend. Just something you have to factor into the equation.

The EV doesn't last as long during the winter months so that would factor-in, also.

I think I would look at a hybrid and meet halfway.

dustybiker2 · Answer

The carbon footprint is still worse than my pickup truck (when considering the manufacturing and shipping of all parts... the batteries are not recyclable yet either) Nope.

Surely · Answer

Actually, I currently own one. A low end ID 4. With a 8 year battery warranty. They are not for everyone. Everyone will not want one!
Since I am retired. On average. I don’t drive more than 100 miles from home. With home charging. So it works out fine for me. For three seasons! Then I switch to my carbon emitting diesel pickup in the cold months!

TonyV · Answer

Uh no, they aren't good enough yet, the infrastructure isn't good enough yet. Ev owners feel warm and fuzzy as they destroy the environment more than me in my 34 year old v8 pickup.

Raaj4you · Answer

Yes I am planning to buy an electric car or a Hybrid car in the next couple of months. But I am afraid I can't travel to different cities or long distances. There are not enough EV charging stations available in India. Otherwise I have to buy two SUVs, one electric SUV for city use and another diesel SUV for long distance travel. Some fresh new hybrid SUVs will be launched anytime soon.

nawtee_me · Answer

$50 for an iPhone battery, what do you think an electric car battery will cost you?

sheikalana · Answer

We don't plan too. We currently live in a country where petrol is cheap. Electric cars are not popular out here.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

Not yet. The infrastructure to charge it doesn't exist where i live

Anonymous · Answer

It takes 10 years for an EV to become financially more economical than a gas car. And that is with government subsidies and ignores the fact that most of the batteries are only good for 8 years. Nevermind the environmental impact of mining the battery components and the electricity used by the car. So nope. Give me a hydrogen powered car

dudeinohio · Answer

No. Battery technology isn't quite there yet. Wait for solid state batteries.  In the meantime, get a hybrid. I did.

katiesmuff · Answer

I generally don't travel that far so if they ever got reasonably sized (family of 6) and reasonably priced I might give one a shot.

Alex8736 · Answer

Hell no. Very unreliable especially during inclement weather and Very few charging stations

lorenzomichael · Answer

Hell no! Just like I won’t buy a Japanese car. I spent it where I make it. Even though Tesla is an American made car I still wouldn’t buy it.

captain_voidwalker · Answer

Nope , mechanically they are very unreliable and expensive to repair/ maintain.

Iron_Man · Answer

No, I wouldn’t even know where to charge it and I hear they catch on fire in the garage

EmmaMary · Answer

No, absolutely not.

LunarEclipse433 · Answer

Not with the current technology. Way too many flaws

DJB72 · Answer

I'd rather buy a steam powered one

Pterodon · Answer

Fuck no. There’s no place for me to charge it

TeraGER · Answer

Yes I like some like tesla

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

No. I hate E. V.

Jerre · Answer

No, never.

Would you buy an electric car?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Would you buy an electric car?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.