why electric powered vehicles are not more popular ? (such as the Toyota Prius invented in 1997)?

karl-baker_619edf2c57a2ckarl-baker_619edf2c57a2c
in Environment

Update:

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7nM1wI9R7UgABxJ...

do they go as fast as need to on the main roads? or how fast and why not popular?

Comments

  • john-wjohn-w

    At the turn of the century, around 1900, electric cars were more popular than gasoline cars but then the electric starter was invented so there was no longer the danger of a broken arm from a misfiring engine and people then preferred the gasoline car at half the price of the electric. Price was and always will be the reason why electric cars are not more popular. Note that when the gasoline cars had maximum speeds of 15 mph, electric cars were doing 65 mph on race tracks.

  • andrewandrew

    Two reasons:

    First, all current designs are based on batteries. Over the course of five to ten years, those batteries loose their ability to hold a charge, resulting in DRAMATICALLY decreased performance.

    Second, they cost a bunch extra. In order for you to make up the extra cost in gas savings before needing battery replacement, gas needs to be between $5 and $10 a gallon, depending on which car you're looking at.

  • raghavraghav

    Initial vehicles were electric vehicles until business around oil grew complicated. Electric vehicles being drive in US for example have to comply with all highway rules hence they have to move as fast as the legal speed limit requires them to. There are test models that have better pickup and speed the most other vehicles possible.

  • maria-simpson_619edf2da64d9maria-simpson_619edf2da64d9

    ***1 gal of gasoline has about 172,000 btu and costs $3.50. At 30 mpg thats $0.12/mile

    ***172000 BTU/3450 btu/kw-hr = 50 kw-hrs x $0.13/kw-hr = $6.50

    *** Gasoline engine is 50% efficient. Electric motor is 90% efficient

    *** So ENERGY cost/mile to operate electric car is $6.50 (50%/90%)/30 miles =$0.12/mile

    *** Hence ENERGY cost /mile ( at present energy prices) is the same.

    However, since electricity is generated ( for the most part) in fossil fuel power plants, the amount of CO2 and toxic emissions resulting from the use of electric cars is still 60-70% as great as that for gasoline powered cars.

    So, at 2-3 times the acquisition cost for electric cars and considerably more maintenance cost for battery replacement, who needs them?

    If we converted to Nuclear Power plants for electricity, then electric cars would have an emissions advantage. So you should support Nuclear Power.

  • uk-daduk-dad

    They are no more efficient than many Petrol/Diesel cars plus they need batteries at £1500 a set.

  • mikemike

    Because they are extremely dangerous in an accident. Wham compared to my suburban, these little coffins will loose every time!

    But then again, it helps Darwin...

  • bazzabazza

    Expensive in relation to similar cars.

  • maria-bennett_619edf2ee359amaria-bennett_619edf2ee359a

    Because their cost is still too high for most families.

  • anonymousanonymous

    because saving the environment is not cool.

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