Originally Posted by
fosters
According to the book "Plug In Hybrids: The cars that will recharge America" no new electric capacity will be needed until the first 50% of all passenger cars switch to plug in cars because they will be charging at off peak times. It'll take a decade or more to do that, so we've got time. It's better to be building electric output than buying more oil in my mind.
I certainly agree that increasing electric output is an excellent idea. Nuke is great, wind/solar/tidal generators where possible.
I agree that electric cars would probably be an improvement for many reasons. Unfortunately . . . who wants one? You can tell people until you're blue in the face that 99% of their driving is a short commute to/from work, but everyone is going to wonder "What if I want to drive to Grandma's house out of state? Better go with the gas just in case."
Plus, all the po' people (ME!) will buy a used gas burner over an electric car until both electric cars and electric power is cheaper than gas. I think the economics will move there eventually, but not for a long while.
That said . . this car is neat. Electric for now, soon to be electric and gas hybrid, and an "equivalent" of 300mpg. "Only" $30k, and it looks like an airplane that had it's wings ripped off. The "Aptera":
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4237853.html