I think the real answer is public transport in the cities. Electric cars don't change the fact that if everyone in this planet would like to own a car, no matter what energy source we would employ, we would still completely destroy our environment.

In addition to Lawrence: how green exactly are the batteries used for 'green vehicles'? Can the industry ascertain complete recycling of all the components and chemicals used? Same goes for all the materials used to construct the car.

I think concentrating on the type of fuel alone is too narrow a focus. Interesting would be if the ambition of the green car-industry would be to produce 'closed-circuit-cars', that are efficient in all perspectives and *nearly* annihilate damage to the.... More

So, think of it this way. If you are plugging your car in to an electrical outlet, where is that "clean power" coming from? Just because we will no longer have combustion engines, we will still have combustion factories that produce the power. Just seems there's a few people who are jealous of the profits of oil companies, and want that profit for themselves. If we could use wind or solar to power these cars, then it will at least make sense... But as long as there is a coal burning power plant.... More

It's hard to conceive a more efficient use of energy than a diesel motor car in cold or rainy condition: 20% of the energy is used for propulsion, 30% are inevitable losses and a full 50% is used for heating/demisting. EV cars in such condition are big energy wasters as they need an additional combustion heater. They will have to fight for a niche. Your myth busting trial has comprehensivly invigorated them! EV are a niche contribution only. Competitive public transport is a more substantial.... More

Have you ever considered where these metals come from to make the batteries? have you ever been to a strip mine where they mine coal? I have, and in eastern Kentucky its destroying mountains and degrading water quality. Increasing demand for electricity on coal power plants means more flattened mountains and a greater loss in biodiversity. Producing and charging these EV cars is more detrimental to the environment than a chevy suburban would be in its entire life. Also Global warming is a.... More

It is not the lithium you have to worry about it the other rare metals like neodymium needed to make the batteries and other electronics.

Has anyone else seen the battery panel in the new Tesla electric car? It appears to be a panel of lots of "watch" batteries. They claim they are easy to replace, aren't "wet", and weigh less (even in the volume used.)

This article proposes that all EVs will have Lithium Ion batteries--in particular lithium cobalt. Lead acid batteries are superior in regards to charge density, efficiency and number of recharge cycles however the obvious disadvantage is weight which reduces the range. More batteries increase range but also decrease range due to increased weight. You have to find a happy medium regardless of what kind of battery you chose.

The best battery so far that provides a high current density,.... More

When my car computer says I have 40 miles of fuel left, I consider my gas tank empty. This stuff is a crock that I will not fall for. I am sitting in record cold temperatures (30 degrees in Ft. Myers this morning) with the entire country in the coldest winter snap in decades. Global warming is a manufactured fantasy that is being forced on an educated public.
I am an avid cyclist, I love the outdoors, and I do my best to minimize my carbon footprint. But I will continue to drive.... More

Why are electric cars even being discussed anymore? Hydrogen is the end-all, be-all. Electrify water, get hydrogen...emissions: water.
Won't have to worry about where the pollution is coming from, where to plug in, where to this/that. Put water in your tank & go. The only reason we're talking about electric vehicles is due to the monopolies can't make money off of water! Which is an even bigger conspiracy the killing the electric car in the other vids you've seen (referring to Uncle B's.... More

Lawrence's comment about battery cost coming down as merely speculation isn't quite true. We've already seen significant reduction in costs across the board and with the billions of new investment globally, the cost of LiIon cells for vehicles continues to drop. Also, the secondary use of these batteries for utility energy storage will be factored in the the economic equation making the numbers even better for plug-ins.

Please consider the EV range is reduced in cold temperatures. This occurs for all battery chemistry types: Lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, and LiIon.

Please consider at this time, the cost of the battery still makes the EV very unattractive compared to a conventional automobile. The statement in the article is speculation.

Will the EEStor research company make an economical battery replacement with thier EESU? I hope so. The rumors are it will last greater than your lifetime with millions.... More