If they really have plans of mass-producing those cars right now.

The true signal that the electric car is here is when one appears in a NASCAR race. Then I think you'll see mainstream acceptance of the idea.

Saw a documentary...electric cars have 1 moving part in the engine and it costs only $20 to fix it and you can do it yourself. The electric cars in Cali were pulled by the manufacturer because of no break downs and therefore no money for parts. There is a higher order that nobody knows about.

very cool. looking forward to future models as well

Not everyone lives in the middel of nowhere....450 miles is a long distance. Especially for ppl in Europe...Most ppl drive that in a week...

Definately a push in the right direction, right now its just a sports car that goes 250 miles. Maybe in 10 years it can be a 4 door sedan that does 1000 miles per charge.

1) who's "they"

2) do this equation:

Cost of vehicle + (lifetime mileage x cost per mile) + rest of ownership costs = Total Cost

as long as the total cost of owning the gas powered car is cheaper it would be irrational to buy something else.

3) $0.00 per mile? so you're telling me that electricity is 'free' or that giving a hydrogen vehicle is fuel is 'free'? Im sorry, you're mistaken.

If there's only one cliche from economics you should take to heart it would be "there's no such thing as a free lunch"

Maybe Im missing something here but, why cant they add some sort of a gearing system that runs off the drivetrain or directly off the wheels spinning that powers a few alternators that will help maintain or charge the batteries back up? Gearing that would automatically "switch gears" as the speed of the car slowed to increase or decrease pulley size to maintain the highest possible rpm for the alternators at all speeds. Its not like an alternator takes alot of force to keep it turning. I wouldnt think it would take alot of engineering genius to develop a system to have an alternator running off each wheel. Has it never been thought of, or am I missing some block for why it wouldnt work?

The first law of thermodynamics doesnt like the idea.

Electric cars do employ regenerative braking and downhill/coast charging - but more energy is used to accelerate the car than can be recovered during slowing, and unless you only ever travel downhill (in which case you wouldnt even need an engine of any kind...) the batteries will eventually die.

Also, alot of energy is lost in mechanical gear/pulley systems (mostly due to friction) - you can experience this directly by driving in the summertime with your A/C off and then switching it on.. you can feel the loss in engine power dramatically as the compressor pulley kicks in...

you mean most people don't drive that in a week?

"EDIT" - i missed the discussion on the first page.

Indeed I drive maybe 250 miles per MONTH on average ( well, I work at home, so where should I be going all the time? ) but I can't imagine having a car that I couldn't use to go for longer distance on vacation ( especially since I hate flying )

That's the best post in this thread. :thumbsup

Sure the Tesla has limits, but as battery technology improves so will the driving range and practicality of electric cars.

looks nice but a bit too expensive at this point...

An AC compressor an an alternator are vastly different in force needed to turn. An alternator off a standard car can be spun easily by hand and probably spin 20 to 30 times on its own after you stop. An AC compressor is under pressure for each turn. It wont even spin half a turn on its own spinning by hand. But I still see your point.