General Discussion

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)

101. Cost Plus Plug-in Difficulties

Mon Mar 5, 2012, 11:59 PM

Mar 2012

If you live in an apartment or a condo, you almost certainly don't have a way to recharge the vehicle. That makes it an unfeasible purchase.

If live in a house, range may be a problem, but alternatively, there's the cost. It is hard to afford the car, and when you cost out what you save in electricity versus gas, in the end many people can't afford the EV. Yet.

We'll see how far battery costs come down.

Also everyone should be aware that net driving costs on these cars will rise, because right now the average state plus federal tax on a tank of gas is close to 50 cents. 47 cents to be exact, I think.

We are going to use more of these cars, and the shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles plus partially electric vehicles means that they are going to have to recover the missing revenue somehow.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

114 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So, why aren't "we" buying more electric cars? [View all] theophilus Mar 2012 OP

Batteries still cost too much.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #1

I believe five years will be too late. We don't have much time left. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #7

Suggestion: Standardize batteries & swap them out JHB Mar 2012 #25

Sounds interesting. Might be a good way to "get the show theophilus Mar 2012 #28

this Schema Thing Mar 2012 #54

Like this? -> IDemo Mar 2012 #62

Yes, that's exactly what was discussed. JHB Mar 2012 #103

We've been hearing this for years...decades KansDem Mar 2012 #33

Great info. I believe this progress is being opposed by some theophilus Mar 2012 #36

Give thee a hint: it rhymes with "Moil Partel". HughBeaumont Mar 2012 #78

The difference being that there are actual production electric cars out now.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #67

Here's some pretty exciting news along those lines� Jackpine Radical Mar 2012 #41

Great news....if it will actually materialize. We need it NOW. Thanks. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #47

They have a very small range between charges. former9thward Mar 2012 #2

It would certainly work for me and I believe it would work for far more people than are buying the theophilus Mar 2012 #5

I have a 60-mile commute each way to work and back HillWilliam Mar 2012 #12

Thanks for that. We certainly do what we can. I believe the Gov't. needs to help theophilus Mar 2012 #30

Any reports I've seen over here in the UK on the subject dipsydoodle Mar 2012 #3

A second car that doesn't burn petroleum would be great. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #6

Because I require something that can pull a two ton trailer- snooper2 Mar 2012 #4

Do you drive that vehicle everywhere? Do you take it to Sonic? How about an electric as a second theophilus Mar 2012 #8

Not everyone can afford a 2nd car. HappyMe Mar 2012 #13

I hear that. I wish the government would provide charging stations theophilus Mar 2012 #26

I personally can't afford any car right now. HappyMe Mar 2012 #32

That I think is the problem. Life Long Dem Mar 2012 #42

Of course I do, it's my truck...Yes, we go to Sonic together... snooper2 Mar 2012 #27

That sounds like a good combo. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #31

"If I could afford an electric" el_bryanto Mar 2012 #9

My reasons for not buying one: bighart Mar 2012 #10

Thank you for listing your reasons. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #17

Agree with your list rurallib Mar 2012 #35

Especially that last one. randome Mar 2012 #39

I shouldn't say all of the electrics are butt ugly, just most of them. bighart Mar 2012 #49

Here you go! Shadowflash Mar 2012 #69

Same here. sarge43 Mar 2012 #50

The reason "I" don't: Johnny Rico Mar 2012 #11

Because at $40,000 Le Taz Hot Mar 2012 #14

Because I can't spend $40,000 on a car. Shadowflash Mar 2012 #15

Correcting numbers #1 - Nissan Leaf net price is 28550 - less in some states dmallind Mar 2012 #59

Fair enough. Shadowflash Mar 2012 #63

No new car will ever be a sound financial call over a 7yr old one , but 12-14MM are sold every year. dmallind Mar 2012 #66

Still too expensive for me and the cost benefit still isn't there, I need a minivan not 2 cars uponit7771 Mar 2012 #82

The average American wallet can't afford a 2003 beater, that's why. HughBeaumont Mar 2012 #16

And there you go! Minimum wage leads to minimum purchases. NuttyFluffers Mar 2012 #105

Too expensive for me. sinkingfeeling Mar 2012 #18

The 1% can afford them, not us. TalkingDog Mar 2012 #19

Price lacrew Mar 2012 #20

Price is too high, range is too small.. Upton Mar 2012 #21

price and design Dokkie Mar 2012 #22

I saw my first Leaf in person the other day.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #34

Very small? Near identical to Focus. dmallind Mar 2012 #60

Hmm Dokkie Mar 2012 #92

This is an idea that deserves some attention - IDemo Mar 2012 #23

edit Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #29

Sorry, forgot the link IDemo Mar 2012 #43

Mitsubishi EV starting at $21,625 with 112 MPGe Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #24

Where are the tax credits to buy these automobiles? KansDem Mar 2012 #37

We don't make enough to benefit from tax credits. We theophilus Mar 2012 #45

The program already exists, $7,500 federal tax credit Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #48

peanuts KansDem Mar 2012 #57

pretty old info Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #61

Then why not make hybrid/electric cars' tax credits $100,000 too? KansDem Mar 2012 #68

Those who can afford it don't care about the fuel efficiency. canoeist52 Mar 2012 #38

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! In my case, lack thereof. hobbit709 Mar 2012 #40

If I could afford an electric I would get one ASAP. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2012 #44

Reality Check phantom power Mar 2012 #46

If you really believe that silliness. tritsofme Mar 2012 #51

I think the government should buy them first tabbycat31 Mar 2012 #52

agree. Schema Thing Mar 2012 #56

my dad has a government vehicle tabbycat31 Mar 2012 #85

The Post Office has tried electric vehicles FarCenter Mar 2012 #58

"We" can't afford new cars. nt TBF Mar 2012 #53

12-14mm sold every year in US. Even now. dmallind Mar 2012 #64

Top 20% at best and that's using your numbers. TBF Mar 2012 #70

Top 20% of what? dmallind Mar 2012 #80

This article in the NYT actually gives a little higher number - TBF Mar 2012 #94

I can get a 2010 Prius in my area Proud Public Servant Mar 2012 #55

Range and cost. RegieRocker Mar 2012 #65

Make them 5K a piece and watch them fly out of the dealership. nt Snake Alchemist Mar 2012 #71

you can't buy a decent motorcycle for 5k Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #74

A 2012 Kawasaki 250 Ninja is $4199.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #96

I knew a little 95 pound, 22 year old woman with a 250 ninja Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #98

I rode an RD350 many years ago.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #99

I had a little Yamaha 200 way back when Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #104

That 200 would be like a 125 these days.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #111

You'd have to do some SERIOUS calculus to determine if that thing was *really* Romulox Mar 2012 #110

The scooters and mopeds I've seen typically seem to require a lot of repair.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #112

Cost and Range. ParkieDem Mar 2012 #72

I am not buying one because I cannot afford one Marrah_G Mar 2012 #73

I *might* have to move a fridge once every five years taught_me_patience Mar 2012 #75

Support infrastructure for charging Jack Sprat Mar 2012 #76

Not ready for prime time. Edim Mar 2012 #77

Not enough benefit at this point Spike89 Mar 2012 #79

***THEY'RE EXPENSIVE AND UNPRACTICAL AND UGLY ON PURPOSE**** uponit7771 Mar 2012 #81

Poor range; few charging stations; no where to charge where I live now REP Mar 2012 #83

i can't afford to buy ANY kind of new car right now Scout Mar 2012 #84

I bought a Leaf. I love it. Taverner Mar 2012 #86

'Cuz our '91 and '93 Toyotas still run fine. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2012 #87

Made in? Edim Mar 2012 #88

I don't know where. But, I'm guessing Japan. They are indeed indestructible. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2012 #89

An electric vehicle is not a "car" Terry in Austin Mar 2012 #90

if we could afford a second car, and we had nearby charging stations semillama Mar 2012 #91

Because they are way too expensive? workinclasszero Mar 2012 #93

This site says about 57,000 EV cars and trucks, and 29,000,000 eBike, eScooter, eCycles globally FarCenter Mar 2012 #95

"The Volt has been battered by Republicans as evidence of the Obama administration's failures..." Robb Mar 2012 #97

GM created the problem Flatpicker Mar 2012 #100

LOL. nt Romulox Mar 2012 #108

Cost Plus Plug-in Difficulties Yo_Mama Mar 2012 #101

"If I could afford an electric...." rayofreason Mar 2012 #102

Here's something else to think about Jello Biafra Mar 2012 #106

I read over and over about 60+ mile commutes every time one of these threads comes around belcffub Mar 2012 #107

People vote with their wallets; "who killed the electric car"? The public. nt Romulox Mar 2012 #109

Why? guardian Mar 2012 #113

Take your pick of reasons. Angleae Mar 2012 #114