Lather, Don drives his EV1 in the Hollywood hills, and he still gets over 120 miles on a charge. The average driver drives 14 miles a day. If somebody want s to take a long trip, just take the ICE car. I repeat that I don't believe my wife has ever driven over 75 miles in a day in her life, and I am certain there are at least a half million people like her.
I am aware that the EV1 is a 2 seater. The body could be lengthened for a back seat without compromising economy that much. GM made a half-hearted effort to build and market an EV to "prove" to the CARB that people didn't want it. Ironically Ford has been advertising their Th!nk car, and you can't buy one. GM made one 1 minute commercial that I am aware of to market the EV1, they are difficult to find in a showroom, and they are claiming that there is poor acceptance. They are certainly not for everybody, but there are plenty of people that love 'em, and range is not an issue with them. The fact is that EVs can be built that cost less to build, run, and maintain than ICE cars if they are mass produced. It is too radical a change however, and hybrids will be an interim step.
You will be seeing hybrid SUVs soon, and they will get over 40 m.p.g. Gas hybrids are not the final answer, fuel cell hybrids will be for those that need long range.
Del |
