I don't have anything *against* electric vehicles per-se, I just find annoying the rose-colored advocacy that tries to rationalize away the very real limitations they currently have.
I'll wait and see how they hold up and what kind of prices they command on the used market in 5 or 10 years. I could justify having a 200 mile or even somewhat less range on a cheap commuter car. I would *not* consider that acceptable on a $50K+ new car, even if I had the cash to spend. Meanwhile we (as in government) are going to need to figure out a way to replace all the tax revenue that will be lost on traditional fuel sales. Your "cheap" recharge won't stay that way once a significant number of people start doing it. And simple economics dictates that the additional demand for electricity should lead to higher rates, but since utilities are government-regulated and have limits on what they can charge, we will instead get shortages. Speaking of utilities, they are going to have to figure out how to handle an additional 50--100KWh daily usage per house that has a charging station. This will probably double the electrical usage at a typical household. And many houses will have more than one car. A few people charging cars on a standard residential neighborhood circuit might not be an issue, but if EVERYONE (or even a significant number of people) are charging two cars at home every night, utilities will need to build up infrastructure and capacity. This will translate to even higher electric rates to fund the expansion. "Kevin Kraly" <kr...@comcast.net> writes: > Tesla and Toyota are colaborating on a Rav4 EV which I actually got to > see and ride in as well since my brother-in-llaw works for Toyota. > Electric vehicles would suit our family driving habits very well. It > wouldn't tow the boat or travel trailer, so we would have to have a > fuel burner in the fleet for that, the '07 Dodge Diesel. I have a > feeling that the price is going to scare me off, and the people hauler > Crypsler Around Town &Country MV is nearly paid off with only 33Kmi on > it. Having no payment would be nice! > > Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tim C > Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 5:37 PM > To: Mercedes Discussion List > Subject: Re: [MBZ] Tesla Model X unveiling tonight > > On Feb 9, 2012 8:15 PM, "Allan Streib" <str...@cs.indiana.edu> wrote: >> >> Hendrik & Fay <heni...@ozemail.com.au> writes: >> > What is the plan? Drive 300miles and then charge it up for a few hours >> > and go again? >> > I am thinking this is aimed at the upmarket commuter people? >> >> Yeah they really only make sense for people with a lot of discretionary >> cash who can afford to have a car they only drive locally. > > I rarely drive the 300D outside a 50-mile radius, and don't think I've ever > broken 100 miles in 24 hours. I don't really drive the SDL outside the > area much more than that, and I could certainly avoid it entirely. > > Meanwhile I wouldn't mind the travel expense reduction and increased > maintenance intervals. I would mind having another car payment though so I > think I'll just have to survive in diesel-motivated luxury instead. :) > > Best, > -Tim > doesn't do that much work on the diesels, though it's not because they > don't want it... > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
