An article by the Detroit Free Press states President Obama would like to see "...1 million advanced-technology vehicles on U.S. Roads by 2015." The proposal also includes a recommendation for increasing staff members to continue loans for advanced vehicle manufacturing. There was no word on how much the tax credit would affect the government's budget.
We don't want to get involved with politics since we are an automotive blog, but we do have a few questions of our own concerning the language of the proposal and also about EV/hybrid cars in general.
What isn't clear to us, is what constitutes "advanced-technology?" Would that include hybrid cars already on the road, or is it purely for EV cars only? Will advanced combustion engine technologies like start-stop functions and direct injection count?
The main caveat with EV cars today is their range. A strictly EV car usually cannot go farther than 100 miles, and there aren't many charging stations for the general public yet. How much does the advertised range diminish if the vehicle is driven at night or has the air conditioning/heater on? Range anxiety would be at a maximum if a driver were stuck in stop and go traffic on a hot or cold evening. Also, everyone who has owned a cell phone knows that the battery gets weaker and weaker, and eventually cannot hold a charge. Will EV cars suffer from the same dilemma, and if that happens, how much is the replacement for the battery system? At least with an internal combustion car, a driver can limp the car along until the compression goes out which is long after the warning signs appear. Are drivers of EV cars going to receive such warnings of a battery beginning to not hold its charge?
Chevrolet Volt is being heavily promoted with plenty of ads on TV. |
The question we pose to people who may consider buying a hybrid or EV car, is that while these cars may save on gasoline costs, what about the environmental impact for disposal of the battery packs once they wear out along with the replacement costs? With diesels achieving similar mpg figures, why not choose those? Yes, diesel fuel does cost more, however diesel engines last much longer than gasoline engines with some going up to 400,000 miles before needing to be rebuilt. That kind of durability means the engine may outlast the chassis or the owner.
Nissan's Leaf is the first mass produced EV car for the general public. |
We hope the points we brought up has started you to think about both sides of the coin. What are your thoughts on EV and hybrid vehicles? Are you sold on them as is, or are there things you would like to see different? Maybe you don't like them at all, or you love them. Let us know where you stand! Happy motoring and keep on driving!
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