How to Drive an Electric Car

Introduction

While high gas prices and environmental concerns have driven increasing interest in electric cars, that interest has been frustrating since there are no readily available, full-function electric cars on the market. The reason? Extraordinarily high battery costs of up to $30,000 per vehicle killed the business case for the electric cars test marketed by automakers in the 1990s. While we're waiting for better and cheaper batteries to come, there are some limited choices available if you still want to buy an electric car.

By: Ron Cogan

Length: 3:15

Comments: 5

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Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Tips & Warnings:

The most common electric car today is the neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV), which offers a top speed of 25 mph and the ability to be legally driven on streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less in most states.
Three-wheeled, motorcycle-based electric vehicles offer higher speeds, but have limited appeal.
Non-road electric vehicles offer higher speeds and are available for off highway uses, such as on campuses, resorts, ranches, private roads, etc.
Information on electric conversions can be found at the Electric Auto Association website.
Only buy a NEV for around-town use if the streets you'll be traveling have speed limits of 35 mph or less.
Non-road electric vehicles are not certified for use on public streets or highways.
Always be aware of driving distances and battery level. Electric cars have limited driving range and once batteries are depleted it takes many hours to charge them up again.
Be prepared to pay more for an electric vehicle than a conventionally powered one.
Special arrangements may be needed for service since local service centers are not likely to be available.
Converting a conventional vehicle into an electric requires lots of batteries, which increase vehicle weight and may compromise crashworthiness.
High-end electric cars like the Tesla roadster ($98,950) prove that full-function electric cars are viable, but they have not been made cost-effectively enough for the mass market and won't be in the near term.

Step1

Start by researching the Web to explore what types of electric cars are available. There are few electric vehicle models being sold today, which means this is far from a typical buying experience. Most are low-speed vehicles for in-town use or for fleet service.

Step2

Determine your needs. Daily driving distances, passenger and cargo space, and the ways in which you intend to use your vehicle have a direct bearing on the type of electric car that's right for you--or if an electric car fits your needs at all.

Step3

Understand that most electric cars are different than conventional vehicles, and consider whether these differences are important to you. Weigh the positives (zero localized emissions, pennies-per-mile costs, convenient at-home recharging) and the negatives (high purchase price, limited functionality, unknown resale value).

Step4

Attend auto shows and other events that include electric cars as part of their displays. Talking with knowledgeable salespeople and seeing these vehicles in person is important.

Step5

Take a test drive. While the production electric vehicles offered by automakers in the 1990s provided a driving experience close to that of conventional vehicles, that's not typical of all electric cars produced by smaller specialty manufacturers. You really need to get behind the wheel to see what you think, even if this involves substantial travel to do so prior to a purchase.

Step6

If you're intent on owning an electric vehicle but can't find what you want, be aware there are companies out there that will sell you the parts, and sometimes the kits, that will convert certain vehicles into electrics.

Step7

Before purchasing an electric vehicle, think through all related issues that come with ownership. For example, check with your insurance carrier about coverage and cost, and make sure you have adequate electrical capabilities in your garage for charging.

Resources

Comments

rjcogan said

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on 10/26/2007 Multiple companies are working on selling electric cars from China. One is Miles Automotive Group in Southern California, which is selling quality low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). Regarding the supplier in China mentioned in the post, I'm very cautious when I hear about out-of-country cars that "might" meet certification here, electric or otherwise. It takes a lot to modify offshore vehicles to meet U.S. emissions and crashworthiness standards and be certified for sale in this country. Cars like this are often brought here through waivers if only a very limited number will be used in a demonstration program, and under specific conditions. Some companies have been successful by marketing offshore electric vehicles as NEVs in this country, since NEVs travel only at low speeds and have to meet much more relaxed requirements.

rjcogan said

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on 10/26/2007 The Chevy Volt is a great concept and the technology, if not the concept car, will surely come to pass. The problem is cost. Having enough battery power on-board a car requries very advanced (and very expensive) batteries. GM, Ford, Toyota, and others have still not figured out the battery issue yet so full-function electric cars and plug-in hybrids can be made and sold affordably. The automakers and battery companies believe they'll get this figured out. Keep in mind that coming up with an affordable battery with sufficient power for electric drive use has been a quest for several decades now...and the answer still isn't here. Automakers are starting to look at leasing the batteries separately as a way to potentially keep costs down. There's a lot of money and market share riding on this so somebody's going to come up with the answer, then the rest will follow.

Veesites said

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on 10/25/2007 Have you looked at the Chevy Volt? It has possibities.

electroautoev said

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on 10/14/2007 hey, friends, I know one electric car supplier in China, it can supply two-seat electric cars which are estimated to pass the EEC certificat in the late of Oct or early of Nov, the price is just $6800.00 per unit.

Sorry for I can't attach its pictures. Please contact this mailbox for more informtation: electroautoev@hotmail.com. I think it really will have large potential markets.