[lotuseclat79]

Last night on the local news, I saw a piece on the new Chevy Volt - it will cost a buyer $41,000 to purchase one.

Electric cars at that price are an oxymoron intended for morons that just want to throw their money away. Auto manufacturers should take a lesson from ol' Henry Ford whom manufactured the Model-T for the common buyer. Auto manufacturers must think the common buyer is made of moneybags, eh?

Given the tightness of money during these recessionary times, and the actual lack of jobs - I'll pass - thank you very much!

-- Tom

[ktulu11]

I completely agree with you, the cost of this is extremely high. Lets look at something, I can get a Volt for 41,000 or I can get a new H3 Hummer for around 40-50,00 in Pittsburgh. My pay check would go to the Hummer. Granted when the cost of the product starts to come down as technology increases it may be a reasonable buy, but until then, no.

[loserOlimbs]

Why would anyone buy an H3???

The Volt is a novelty at this point, a cool one at that. Similar to the Plymouth Prowler. Would I buy one? If I needed a sporty alternative to a lower end Corvette, maybe. I would much rather a nice little G37 instead though

[ktulu11]

H3 just as a price comparison, however, I'm about 6'1 and 215 so it's a more comfortable fit for me especially after driving and riding in real Humvees for years the comfort is great. If your volt could ever do over a 100mph stock let me know and I'll get one, lol

[loserOlimbs]

The H1 and real Hummers were completely different animals. But the H3 is not a Hummer by anything but the name.

The Volt is not on my short list for a new Vehicle.

[JohnWill]

I'm glad there are people running out and buying battery powered cars, because that will keep the technology moving and eventually result in some very drivable electric cars. I might consider one at that point. However, given that I drive about 4-5k a year, it'll take a lot better price to move me to something just because of fuel economy. I prefer my 350Z, and it'll run rings around the Volt.

[cpscdave]

If you're thinking of buying one solely for "enviromental" reasons. Remember to ask yourself where the power comes from.

For example where I like something like 90% of our electricity comes from coal fire plants.

[Blackmirror]

Wherers my hover car they promised me ??

[JohnWill]

I don't object to electric cars based on the source of the power. Even given coal fired plants, the economy of scale of a large powerplant has less emission for the same amount of power then the car burning fossil fuels.

[Blackmirror]

well what do you do when you break down on the m25 lol

buy duracell batteries

[cpscdave]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

I don't object to electric cars based on the source of the power. Even given coal fired plants, the economy of scale of a large powerplant has less emission for the same amount of power then the car burning fossil fuels.

This is true but I keep hearing people who tout eletric cars as the big fix for global warming. When the reality is, they're only a small step.
The problem goes a lot deeper

[loserOlimbs]

Global warmings a scam anywho

John, I envy your Z car!

[Gulo Luseus]

Originally Posted by Blackmirror

well what do you do when you break down on the m25 lol

buy duracell batteries

I broke down on the M25 once. It took me 3 hours to realise I had.

[paisanol69]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

I don't object to electric cars based on the source of the power. Even given coal fired plants, the economy of scale of a large powerplant has less emission for the same amount of power then the car burning fossil fuels.

Originally Posted by cpscdave

This is true but I keep hearing people who tout eletric cars as the big fix for global warming. When the reality is, they're only a small step.
The problem goes a lot deeper

...as JW stated, when the technology is better, then an electric vehicle will be affordable to even us "common " folks!

I wonder though, has anyone done any research on how large the "carbon footprint "for producing an electric vehicle actually is? ( have you ever been to a large battery production facility?)

One more thing ( sorry Tom ) is there any particular reason that this thread is in the Tech News Forum? It's not Tech news, and sure doesn't belong on the Home Page of the TSG website, IMO, but rather in Random, or if needed, in CivDebate !

[JohnWill]

Good call, probably random is a good choice.