Politics be damned: Electric cars aren't really so polarizing

dcsports said:

It's not just about the benefits, but also the limitations - the most significant being range, charging time, and availability of charging stations. Most people (that have a car) have one per person, and count on being able to have it do what they need it to. An EV would do 95+ percent of what I need it to... but that 5% keeps me from considering one. I couldn't run to my parents an hour and a half away, go on a camping trip with my kids, haul them and their friends to a movie, tow a trailer, take a trip to see one of several cities in my state about 200 miles away, etc. I couldn't let it get to 1/4 tank without worrying about where to find a charging station and sitting there. I'd have to worry about the drain the A/C (or heater) would put on the battery. I'd have to worry about plugging it in every night. I'd have to play 'what if' when we have a hurricane and the power could be knocked out. Granted, there are probably ways around all of this with planning, allowing extra time for charging, installing extra equipment in my home, etc -- But I don't have to do that now.

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OldFatGuy said:

I already stated the same. You see no claims from me as a spokesperson for others. Read what you quoted. "I the same."

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OldFatGuy said:

Not all Americans favor EV's. The AAA surveys show only 34% of current car buyers are willing to purchase EV's during the next decade. To be kind, give those surveys an error range of as much as 20% and still less than 50% of potential vehicle buyers are convinced EV's are the future during the next decade. Don't suggest the AAA is a tool of the oil industry because the AAA endorses the use of EV's.

Many of those in opposition understand the strain posed by EV stress on the power grid, the laws of unintended consequences and already a questionable source of reliance. Others recall the historical tout of the internal combustion engine rescuing us all from the pollution of horse manure in the streets. The replacement of one polluting factor with another, not foreseen. Still others recognize the abject failure of EV's to conquer cold environs, subsequent undependability determined by geographic and meteorological limitations. There is good reason why the EV market has failed for snowmobiles.

Acceptance of EV's is not as universal as you claim. Objection is not political, but issues of practicality.

My wife loves riding on the back of my motorcycle, a reproduction of an earlier motorcycle design that barely hits 30 mph going downhill with a good tail wind. I can move faster with my bicycle. The vibrations turn her on, not something to be achieved with an electric motored scooter or bike, not even on the pot holed streets fo NYC. An aesthetic issue of tastes. There's nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning, and there is nothing like the smell of aviation fuel being burned on racing tracks as the engines roar to get adrenaline flowing. EV's might run faster, but they don't afford the same pleasures.

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bomberfox said:

Only problem ive had with my Zero happened when i had to make a controlled crash which was kinda and kinda not my fault. Guess what else i dont have to worry about? Cluch and gear shifting. I get to punk people who wonder how the hell my bike is running. Lastly because of regenerative braking, its like putting gas back into my tank just for slowing down or going downhill. I actually hate the smell of gasoline and its kinda making the world around me a more dangerous place. Only i hear the sound and its like a very muffled sports bike.

I can go 0-60 in 3 seconds on my Zero in sport mode . ***** the savings in gas alone would make me say get a ****ing vibrator! Climate change doesnt care about anyone’s kink. Lol the smell of napalm and aviation fuel? First of all, where the hell are you living where you are huffing napalm fumes? Most people dont care about huffing jet fuel. This is actually hilarious. Guess what the British SAS are using? My ride, not your clunky ass noise machine. :lamo. SAS: Special forces to receive stealth motorbikes - Daily Star

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Media_Truth said:

I didn't conduct the poll of EV owners. EV Obsession did. Here's their link. Perhaps you should write the editor. From my personal experience, and discussions I've had with other EV owners, their poll seems right own, with a satisfaction level near 99%.

Electric Car Owner Satisfaction -- 3 Surveys −

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OldFatGuy said:

Not all Americans favor EV's. The AAA surveys show only 34% of current car buyers are willing to purchase EV's during the next decade. To be kind, give those surveys an error range of as much as 20% and still less than 50% of potential vehicle buyers are convinced EV's are the future during the next decade. Don't suggest the AAA is a tool of the oil industry because the AAA endorses the use of EV's.

Many of those in opposition understand the strain posed by EV stress on the power grid, the laws of unintended consequences and already a questionable source of reliance. Others recall the historical tout of the internal combustion engine rescuing us all from the pollution of horse manure in the streets. The replacement of one polluting factor with another, not foreseen. Still others recognize the abject failure of EV's to conquer cold environs, subsequent undependability determined by geographic and meteorological limitations. There is good reason why the EV market has failed for snowmobiles.

Acceptance of EV's is not as universal as you claim. Objection is not political, but issues of practicality.

My wife loves riding on the back of my motorcycle, a reproduction of an earlier motorcycle design that barely hits 30 mph going downhill with a good tail wind. I can move faster with my bicycle. The vibrations turn her on, not something to be achieved with an electric motored scooter or bike, not even on the pot holed streets fo NYC. An aesthetic issue of tastes. There's nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning, and there is nothing like the smell of aviation fuel being burned on racing tracks as the engines roar to get adrenaline flowing. EV's might run faster, but they don't afford the same pleasures.

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Media_Truth said:

Looks like folks from all political ideologies are enjoying electric cars in the US. In 15 to 20 years, gasoline cars will go the direction of the flip-top phone.

Politics be damned: Electric cars aren't really so polarizing

In these days when the political dividing lines can seem insurmountable, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have something in common: Regardless of their political affiliation, a majority say that they view electric vehicles positively.

A new survey from Climate Nexus has found that 77 percent—a strong majority—views EVs positively. That’s true across demographic groups, and includes 84 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Independents, and 70 percent of Republicans.

They will enjoy them even more when they realize all the benefits.

1. Can be charged from solar Photovoltaics. Imagine - no gasoline bills and no increase in electricity bills. Even if one chooses not to use PVs, he will realize a large reduction in fuel/power savings. Depending on the area of the country, this can be 1/3 or 1/2 as much.
2. The power and drive train is warranteed for 8 years or 100,000 miles. That includes the batteries. Most owners are now easily getting 150,000-200,000 miles on their original batteries. One Volt owner (PHEV) boasts over 600,000 miles on his original batteries.
3. Maintenance Costs of Electric Vehicles are much lower. Consider - no pistons, cylinders or oil in the motor. No transmission. No exhaust system. Regenerative braking not only efficiently captures braking energy, but results in very little braking.
4. Incredible driveability. 0-60 in a few seconds. If you prefer, it's easy to maneuver ahead of traffic with that kind of acceleration.
5. Quiet as a sleeping kitten.

One thing is for sure, you will continue to hear negative articles about EVs. The Koch Brothers and the Heartland Institute are investing Billions into misinformation campaigns. That's why it's so important that one listen to current owners of EVs. Over 95% are satisfied!!!

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Fishking said:

I don't know about full electric vehicles....their total utility is not there, especially in the U.S. where driving is not a small matter. What I do love that they are now making true hybrids between EVs and gas powered cars. My minivan is a plugin hybrid. It has a smaller battery than a full EV but still gets 33 miles on EV power. Since most of our driving is just around that range most of our driving is off of electric. However, if we do longer trips or drive a lot in one day we can still do it. We get about 1,200 miles in a tank of gas.

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Media_Truth said:

Isn't it great being first at the traffic light. You can demonstrate to the noise machines, the ZERO-to-SPEED-LIMIT in seconds!!!eace

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Media_Truth said:

You sure worry a lot... Charging stations, range, etc is improving every day. I have no problem managing my EV, and I recharge from renewables. It's been a real pleasant experience.

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dcsports said:

I don't worry, because my car doesn't have those shortcomings. I'm not saying that EV's won't get there... but they aren't there yet.

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bomberfox said:

The shortcoming are pretty minor actually. Hybrids are still very much needed though.

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dcsports said:

Not really. Again, an EV could probably do 95+ percent of what I need it to do. Most of the time I drive from garage, to kids' school, to work, and back again. That and any errands would easily work with an EV. But I don't want to have to plan the other 5% of activities - which usually consist of doing fun things with my family, around the car, or when carrying capacity is involved, flat not do them. If I have to impose limits or plan trips carefully because of my car, they aren't minor shortcomings.

Now, IMHO, Hybrids are a different story - and are really coming into their own.

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bomberfox said:

You dont have to plan your trips that carefully as super chargers are rather plentiful. Sure beats the hell out of having to stop and pay for wildly fluctuating gas prices that aren’t going back to being under a dollar a gallon. Sure seems like you are making a bigger deal out of that 5% than necessary but thats IMO.

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bomberfox said:

Only problem ive had with my Zero happened when i had to make a controlled crash which was kinda and kinda not my fault. Guess what else i dont have to worry about? Cluch and gear shifting. I get to punk people who wonder how the hell my bike is running. Lastly because of regenerative braking, its like putting gas back into my tank just for slowing down or going downhill. I actually hate the smell of gasoline and its kinda making the world around me a more dangerous place. Only i hear the sound and its like a very muffled sports bike.

I can go 0-60 in 3 seconds on my Zero in sport mode . ***** the savings in gas alone would make me say get a ****ing vibrator! Climate change doesnt care about anyone’s kink. Lol the smell of napalm and aviation fuel? First of all, where the hell are you living where you are huffing napalm fumes? Most people dont care about huffing jet fuel. This is actually hilarious. Guess what the British SAS are using? My ride, not your clunky ass noise machine. :lamo. SAS: Special forces to receive stealth motorbikes - Daily Star

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OldFatGuy said:

All bikers here are fair game as they weave in and out of traffic.

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Obviously you've never been to a NASCAR Track.

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OldFatGuy said:

All bikers here are fair game as they weave in and out of traffic. Be thankful you are on another continent.

Apparently you follow the 11th commandment, thou shalt burn rubber when the light turns green.

No surprise you have trouble with a "clutch."

Obviously you've never been to a NASCAR Track.

Soldiers on bikes are for bad movies starring old kung fu actors.

My moto is built for fun, not penile replacement. Its one stroke engine gets 180mpg, far more efficient than your battery.

Wonderful ability on your part to recognize some satire.

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dcsports said:

Nope. Just big enough a deal. With one car per person, my car has to be able to do everything I need it to do. If I had a 'spare' car, or had a different lifestyle (perhaps didn't have kids or a house to maintain) it might not be an issue.

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