Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladogaboy
...there are some glaring problems with the conclusion that the Leaf is right for 90% of the population.
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I think you mis-read Neil's conclusion. He said that it works for 90% of
DRIVES, as in individual trips, not 90% of drivers. The real problem is the other 10% of individual trips--that, and the perception of the need for those trips.
Speaking about the perception: How many people do you know who drive a super-duty pickup truck because they tow a boat twice per year? How many who own one because they might at some point want to tow a boat, even though they haven't in the last two years?
Given the current constraints on refueling and energy storage, electric cars could be feasible for a good-sized segment of the population, like you and me. But only if a longer-ranged or more-capable vehicle was easily available at need, like when you want to take that 150-mile weekend trip or when you need to haul lumber for that project or tow that boat.
If we can figure out how to get more efficient (more energy, less weight and size) storage of electrical power, and if we can improve the re-charging process so it takes a reasonable amount of time, the distance concerns become much less pressing.
-soD