Comments on: How Consumers and Federal Stimulus Might Revitalize the Electric Car

By: Mia Rox - The Convertible Electric Microvan

Mia Rox - The Convertible Electric Microvan — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:55:09 +0000

[…] automaker Mia, which came out with some adorable variations on the electric microvan last year, has done it again. Mia presented a new electric van at the Geneva Motor Show this week, […]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:41:00 +0000

What’s worrying is that even if we continue to stave off market manipulation by the incumbent interests long enough for a decent new 40-mile runabout to come out under $10k, we won’t have a back stop against recidivism. Oil prices will go back down. We are looking at a demand peak for oil and other fossil fuel in the near future. When we crest that, prices will fall, and efficiency and better technology will be priced out faster than innovation can drive those prices down. The only way to ensure non-fossil energy and efficiency in the long run is to put a floor, a rising floor, on the fossil carbon price.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:42:00 +0000

GM BLEW THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME! GM had to be the stupidest company in the universe when they forced the return of the EV1’s, etc. just before gasoline prices skyrocketed. These cars were absolutely loved by their drivers and from all indications GM was in a position to completely profit from the gasoline price spikes. It probably could have avoided the company’s subsequent meltdown — but instead they blew it big time and missed an opportunity that comes along very rarely in any industry. At that time consumers were ready to buy anything that looked remotely viable and GM had an alternative — the limited window of opportunity made consumers quite willing — even despite the fact that it looked like a science project.

By: Eletruk

Eletruk — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Before you start throwing around phrases like “cosumers are afraid to buy” and “range anxiety”, let’s wait until supply has exceeded demand. OK?
Currently sales of the Leaf have been limited by production numbers, nothing sits on dealers lots, and the market hasn’t fully opened to all across America.
So before you start declaring ANY kind of market reluctance, wait until sales numbers are limited by SALES.

By: Mattpeffly

Mattpeffly — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:05:00 +0000

For a lot of people it comes down to dollars. If I drive 10k a year and the EV car cost X more to by. And gas cost $3.50 a gallon….

Say gas moves to $8-10 a gallon, you would see a lot more people wanting that EV.

So if you drop all Government give aways to oil. Added a carbon tax. And raise the gas tax (to help cover roads and EV charging stations)