http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/03/07/electric-car-developments Are electric cars practical in Minnesota? Mar 7, 2016
[audio http://www.mprnews.org/listen?name=/minnesota/podcasts/tom-weber/2016/03/07electric_cars_20160307_64.mp3 LISTEN Story audio 25min 35sec ] [image] The Tesla Model S electric car was on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. Stan Honda | AFP/Getty Images 2010 The 43rd annual Twin Cities Auto Show opens this weekend, and the setup will include a brand new feature: A room dedicated entirely to electric vehicles. As electric car technology continues to evolve, many Minnesotan residents are wondering if the vehicles are practical for a state with cold weather and long distances between urban areas. Jukka Kukkonen, founder of PlugInConnection, and Jack Nerad, an executive editorial director at Kelley Blue Book, joined MPR News host Tom Weber to discuss the reality — and the future — of electric cars. "The major problem is, of course, range," Nerad said, acknowledging that battery life is still a concern for consumers. "What do you do when you run out of electricity? If you're in a pure electric car, you sit there and call a tow truck." Kukkonen said the rapidly evolving technology could help ease concerns. For example, he said, Nissan increased the range of its Leaf model by 47 percent in just four years. [image] The Nissan Leaf prototype electric car debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. Bryan Mitchell | Getty Images file A growing number of charging stations could also help. Kukkonen said he drove his Leaf to Duluth and back last week "without any problems." With charging stations in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Pine City and other Minnesota towns, there are opportunities to refill the car's battery. [© mprnews.org Minnesota Public Radio 2016] ... http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/09/electric-car-boosters-offer-minnesotans-a-rebate/ Electric-car boosters offer Minnesotans a rebate March 9, 2016 Who wouldn’t dig a car that is dead silent, spews no noxious fumes, is eco-chic and can be fueled simply by plugging it in for the night, like an iPhone? ... http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/opinion/letters/electric-cars-would-perform-poorly-in-the-north-1.2194750 Electric cars would perform poorly in the North MARCH 10, 2016 I highly recommend electric cars stay in the Lower Mainland ('Electric cars nothing to fear, even in the north: energy minister,' Alaska Highway News, March 7, 2016). Their performance sags considerably with temperature and age (just like any rechargeable battery loses peak ability after a few charges), and the advertised range of 300 to 400 kilometres (depending on load) will fall off even more if energy is diverted to heat the cabin: might be a consideration in places that drop to -20 C from time to time? It's a great second car for the wealthy to commute into the city, but the risks of taking a trip between cities in the north, with a car load of kids in sub-zero conditions make winter travel more hazardous. Also, wildlife do not hear these vehicles coming. -Brett Blaikie, Prince George [© 2016 Alaska Highway News] For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-EVs-are-practical-in-Minnesota-without-any-problems-tp4680963.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
