Who Killed the Electric Car?

Last night my wife and I watched a film we rented from the movie store. It was about the electric car. Did you know that there were production electric cars? There really were, about 4,000 to 5,000 of them! They were built between 1996 and 2003! Think about this. We've had the battery technology to make fully electric cars over 10 years ago. Now they are combining electric with gas and making hybrids. Good idea, only one problem... they aren't harnessing the full potential. Now they are trying to re-introduce the electric car by telling us the technology is finally here to do it.

We chatted a LOT about how they are a great idea and about how the automobile industry is really married with the oil industry. Here is a short recap of the benefits of electric cars:

Electric Cars are:

• Energy efficient
• Less maintenance (no oil changes!)
• Cleaner (no grease/oil residue)
• Fast and powerful (depending on motor/battery configuration)

People have been worried about range. Its true they will not get 1000km on a charge, but if you charge your car every night you'll have a full "tank" every morning! Newer lithium ion batteries can get your car travelling up to 450km. Also a partial charge can take as little as an hour. So if you commute and drive less than 100km everyday, you could totally drive an electric car. You charge it at night, drive to work, maybe charge it at work, then drive it home. It is so simple and you will NEVER stop at a gas station EVER again.

Where can find an electric car today? Well start by looking online. There are a few production models. None seem quite as good looking or as useful as the ones GM, Ford, and Toyota made in the late 1990's at first glance. Or you can convert your old car to electricity by looking for conversion kits. It will take a LOT of effort but you can do it for far less than a new car. Conversions cost between $2000 to $10,000.