Green advice: should I buy a battery operated electric car?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

I've been looking into a car that is run on battery/solar with no exhaust. Does anyone own one? How long do the batteries last? Is it expensive to run?

[tkmorris]

1. Given the plethora of types available

I don't think anyone can answer your question without more specific info about which car you are thinking of buying.

[Warpy]

2. My advice would be to wait a bit

because even though Zap and Tesla both offer battery powered cars with reasonable range and speed, neither is in full production. When full production is finally achieved, then prices will begin to drop. Also expect the Big Three to start offering electric models again.

Right now, the biggest cons besides the initial price are limited battery lifetime meaning batteries will have to be replaced and recycled and limited range. If all of your driving is done within a 200 mile round trip of your home, then current models would be well worth considering. If you take road trips and don't want the expense of renting a gas powered vehicle to do them in, then skip the 100% electrics.

My own green choice was a Korean econobox that gave me nearly 40MPG on my last road trip plus an electric moped for short hops around town.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. I wouldn't be using it to go far

probably only about 2-5 miles. I would get the train to go far.
Thanks

[Romulox]

7. 2-5 Miles? How about people power?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. I wish

might not make it (old)

[Romulox]

12. Understandable. nt

[walldude]

11. Exercise? What are you nuts? This is America for god's sake.

We don't exercise, that would be too much like work.

[CantGetFooledAgain]

3. Check out this site

http://www.zapworld.com/

ZAP is a company that is in the process of marketing a line of all-electric vehicles. If you read the information on their web site, it may help to answer some of your questions.

I'm in the same boat as you, by the way. I'm committed to making my next vehicle an all electric plug-in.

Good luck!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. thanks!

[Squatch]

6. Are there non-battery operated electric cars?

[pdxmom]

8. We have a full electric vehicle and my husband drives it daily. No

exhaust. About an hour or so of charge time. It is not one of the commercial vehicles...it's a converted Chevy Sprint. He's also converting a Ford Probe as his next project.

Battery life is several years. He just bought 2 replacements for the car he's been driving for about 3 years. The other 8 batteries are fine. As for the expense to run it...I barely notice any difference in the electric bill. Hubby estimates it's about 2-3 cents per mile.

[Romulox]

9. Has anyone determined if hybrids/battery powered vehicles are actually good for the environment?

- Electricity is generated in this country primarily by burning coal.

- Hybrid/electric cars have an impact on the environment when manufactured.

- Batteries have a finite life-span, and may not be deposited into landfills.

Because there is no way to make an apples to apples comparison, is it clear that a plug in hybrid is good for the environment? Genuine question.