Electric cars CAN perform very well. Most of them don't. They are designed to maximize the distance and time that the battery can keep the car moving, rather than maximum performance. Yes electric motors generate full torque right away, and they might accelerate 0-10 faster than an average car, but they don't have the same level of mid range or high end performance. Its not just power to weight ratio, they also tend to have skinny tires, and suspensions that are not set up for performance.
The Tesla roadster is something of an exception, but its not exactly a mainstream vehicle. And even in the Tesla there is some downside. The batteries add to the weight. 2700 lbs might not seem to heavy but the car its based of off, the Lotus Elise is only 2000. The Tesla accelerates faster than the Elise (248 HP vs 189 or 218, and also the "0 RPM torque" advantage), but its not all about straight line acceleration and a third more weight isn't good for a sports car. Also if you put the price difference in to performance upgrades for the Elise it would be faster.
and they have all the standard amenities that you'd get in a gas car, including A/C, heaters, etc.
I never said they didn't. But if you use them you put them at an even greater deficiency in terms of range.
As for a 2nd car, sure, may families have a 2nd car but an electric car still won't work well for all of these families. As the car per person ration gradually increases (and battery technology improves at the same time) it will make sense for more people, but many people will still not have a 2nd car available, or will need both cars to be able to take long drives, or don't want to use such an expensive vehicle merely for commuting and quick trips to the store. |
