The problems holding back electric cars

[exostrike]

There are a number of problems which are holding back the up take of fully electric cars.

The first is a lack of infrastructure to support electric cars, charging points etc. This is a very big problem since its self-sustaining. People won't invest in charging points because there isn't enough electric cars to make it profitable, and people won't buy electric cars because there isn't enough charging points. If people did invest in charging points I'd advise that they're built in motorway service stations, this solves the short-ranges of electric cars and allows them to be used in long distance travel, a major requirment for some people.

The second problem is slow recharge time, people don't want to be standing around doing nothing while the car recharges , they just won't to get in a go. While fast recharge technolgy is being developed it will take several years to get to market. In this time we have cars that take a long time to recharge and therefore are unpopular with the ordinary consumer

The final main problem is replacing batteries, this is a major long-term financial cost to motorists who might be put off by this. At least with a petrol engine you can see it going when it gets old, an electric car would just stop working. While a car maker saving scheme or government subsidy might help, some people aren't going to be able to afford this kind of expense and may just plump for an old fashioned petrol vechile.

[tm20]

imo the biggest problem is:

-the idea of having an electric car: alot people consider it stupid and uncool, that's just the attitude of people that needs to change
-the looks: notice how all electric cars look like pieces of turd? in my opinion the shapes of electric cars is really bad. but maybe its part of making an electric car feasible. but im sure its not too hard to make an electric car look like a new gen honda civic or small sporty looking hatchback of some sort :P

the truth is these things really dont matter, but to society they do (unfortunately)

[Replica]

Electric cars have a lot of problems holding them back. Right now, they just aren't a feasible method of transportation. Along with the other problems mentioned, they're also expensive to buy and they don't have the mileage of a normal car. They're only good for short distances. Plus the process of producing the batteries in the first place isn't exactly planet friendly. Electric cars have a lot of potential and I think they can be great but we're still many years away from it becoming a viable transport option, if ever the technology even gets there.

[exostrike]

Agreed the other big problem is the image, however I feel that with enough marketing you could sell electric cars to the consumer.

Heres a small car company who's producing stylish electric cars for example. Get the major car companies producering something similiar and with their marketing I'm sure you could sell the technolgy (assuming you can lick the tech problems of course)

Tesla Motors | Premium Electric Vehicles (http://www.teslamotors.com/)

[tm20]

i'm probably one of the few who thinks tesla cars aren't great looking, although for me looks don't matter. i wouldn't mind driving a prius because prius = chick magnet :rotfl:

[_Omaticaya_]

In my opinion it ain't just about Image. If they we're starting to be sold as much as regular cars their appearance would be enhanced, just like any market product. Everything we buy is made to have something subliminal or attracting. And in any case, check this out:
42118
Looks freaking Fine to me. Pity it's 130 thousand euros, By the way.

So that is it. Obviously, it is about the Money.
But even though it is a money rack up, it is understandable, as no one can invest on making more, or even making charging stations, until more people buy them and finance them.

I personally think it's weird too to have an electric car, but that is just the culture, pretty much every man into cars is a petrol head and can't live without the big engines and the passion of a big car with a petrol engine, but I personally could give it up. I'd take an electric car, but it would HAVE, to atleast look good and sporty.

[transcend]

super capacitors would solve the battery problem and drop the cost greatly.. and we could develope them if people demanded it


http://youtu.be/Um9OxKjpM6w

http://www.avatar-forums.com/images/imported/2012/07/40.jpg
this looks good to me :)