Corrections: Ian Wright didn’t leave in 1996; 2006 sounds more plausible. AC Propulsion’s eBox isn’t a one-off; we’ve build about 15 so far.

EVs are in short supply because of low demand. Low demand is caused by the fact that EVs are still expensive. Forcing auto makers to build expensive cars and sell them at a loss isn’t a practical solution, and it backfired when California tried it the first time. (The automakers fought it tooth and nail and in the end everyone lost.)

The best bet is to drive consumer demand — if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that auto companies will build what consumers demand (and will pay for). Unfortunately, the cars will be expensive for a while. The good thing is that the cost is front-loaded, i.e. they cost more up front, but the operating cost is negligible.

That’s one hell of a Power Wheels!

You’re forgetting the hundreds of Toyota RAV4-EV all-electric plug-in cars on the road, and the fact that GM or Toyota could make an EV at any time, if they were forced to do so.

But they will avoid it as long as they can, in deference to the powerful oil companies — which also influenced Obama to keep shut-up about Electric cars in his acceptance speech. Even the Dems are sucking up to the power of the oil companies.

We need to get away from Lithium Ion. It’s planned obsolescence in action, the Auto industry clinging on to what is widely used and saying it’s state of the art technology… and it’s not.
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The batteries are the core of an electric vehicle more so than even the motors that propel it. Gasoline is gasoline, the last drop giving off the same energy as the first, whereas batteries hold and release charges and their output varies as a result.
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An electric car’s design and in the real world will only perform within the limitations defined by it’s batteries abilities. Lithium Ion may charge faster and last longer than NiCad and of course Lead Acid, but is Lithium Ion good enough to meet the demands of consumers, thus with the cars they power be able to meet those needs?
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For everyday use, for commuting or getting groceries. For taking more extended trips to meet friends or relatives or just take a drive to somewhere not around the corner on the weekend? No, most EV’s of today and perhaps even some currently being designed will not be adequate.
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Auto makers can dance around moving on to providing better battery technology in their EVs but it won’t benefit them nor consumers in the long run. It seems that there’s either a reluctance for them to forge ahead or perhaps just an unwillingness.
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I’m sure cost is cited as one major reason why Detroit is clinging to Li Ion, although volume, competition and streamlining production always drives the cost of new technologies down, and that can happen rapidly anymore. When LCD monitors first hit the market, a 15″ screen cost over $1500, now you can’t even find a screen that small and the larger smallest ones available now cost only a couple hundred. Cell phones used to cost hundreds, not including the contractual obligations, now you can get one equipped with a camera, bluetooth and no contract – with a 10 cents a minute rate – for fifty bucks.
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It’s time to honestly take a leap forward with electric vehicles. Give them what they need to compete in the market and become successful. Ditch Lithium Ion and let’s move on to something better… it’s out there waiting.

that guy could use a helmet