Ah how far technology advances...

[Bob Wallace]

34. Threshold a bit lower, I think...

A 175 mile range and 95% charging in less than 20 minutes would let one drive a 500 mile day with only two short stops.

Few people are going to drive 500 miles and stop only long enough to fill their gas tank.

The Honda Fit coming out this next year has a 123 mile range and uses Toshiba SCiB lithium-ion batteries which can accept a 95% charge in 18 minutes.

The SCiBs are also rated for 4,000 cycles which makes them >400,000 mile batteries.

---

Initial purchase price is what puts most people off. Even though a Nissan Leaf is cheaper to purchase (without subsidies) and operate over 12 years than a 30MPG $20k gasmobile.

Battery prices are coming down and should be reflected in 2013 model prices. Purchase contracts were already in place for the 2012 models when battery prices dropped.

---

A ~175 mile range might not be necessary. We've got the technology to swap batteries very quickly. Just create a compartment for an extra battery that one could rent along the highways, use for the multi-hundred mile trip and drop off at their destination. No reason to own the extra >90 mile range if you're only going to use it once or twice a year.

A 100 mile range with <20 minute, 95% charging would be fine for most people, most of the time.