“Who Killed the Electric Car?” - and why?

Good questions. What I'm optimistic about is that some people are taking this into their own hands and dumping gallons of used grease from KFC into their converted cars. In Germany they're converting their cars to run on propane. There was a post the other day about Honda having an fuel alternative vehicle (I believe it was referred to as CMG-type fuel).

The car companies are starting to get it because consumers are starting to learn about alternatives. We call this upward influence. For too long consumers have accepted what we're offered as the limited choice. Now, however, car companies are starting to jump on the alternative fuel band wagon either because it's trendy or because they want to insert themselves into the market to capture those dollars from people who would convert their cars on their own.

In Knox County Ohio there are dozens of all electric cars driving the streets.  They are super quiet but most here are about as fast as a high speed golf cart.  They are great in town cars but most of the models I have seen strugle once they get over 40 mpg.  Very neat concept for sure and with some fine tuning they certainly have their place.

If there wasn't so much utter hysteria and ignorance regarding nuclear power, drilling in "protected" areas and refinery  development, gas would be a  buck a gallon.

Now, if you want to talk about developing alt-fuels, the solution is simple. Just offer a $50B prize to the company that creates a viable solution, and we'd be home free in five years! Capitalism at it's finest, baby!

I wonder why the $1B loss was smaller than the alternative!  Is it because the vehicle is not economical to produce? Or is it hard to go long distances without access to recharging facilities when needed? Or is it both of these plus others?  The market place has always determined what was available and what ws not - at least in the free captilistic countries of the world.  When the economics are right the products will be there and  be viable and probably not one minute before.

GREED killed the electric car.

Oil is supplying tons of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  to the ones in control, and they have more money to fight it.

I watched that movie and I was astonished.  Now how much of it was actually true I'm not sure, but I would be one of the first to stand in line for a reasobably priced electric car.  Most of our driving is in town oly so the top speed is not that important.

Brian Bartley

I have Who killed the electric car on the Netflix que. I am looking forward to seeing the movie.I want to see the movie before formulating an opinion on the original demise of the electric car, but honestly it would not surprise me.  I think oil companies have played a role in curtailing alternate energy development and conservation efforts. They lobied against higher fuel efficiency standards.

It doesn't help that prior to the recent explosion in the price of oils, that the biggest gas hogs were Detroit's most profitable vehicles. Now, American Auto manufacturers have been caught flat footed and will struggle survival as they see their most profitable vehicle sales plummet and they don't have enough inventory or products to meet the demand for hybrids and more fuel efficient vehicles.

I didn't know the phrase was a movie out all. I will have to pull a copy myself.

Stewart, the electric car is NOT dead.  As Sam, above said " there are dozens of electric cars" driving the streets all over town.  I have one as well.  The unfortunate part of the promotion of electric vehicles is that the auto manufacturers are focusing on SPEED, thus have not been able to make one that fits their specs.  HOWEVER, how many people drive within 20 miles of their home, on side streets, or city streets with limited lower speed limits?  I'd say, probably 90%.  That said, the vehicles on the road today are more than adequate for everyday driving.  Mine happens to go only 35 mph with a 35 mile range.  But I can go everywhere I need to go, for the most part, and get back home with battery left to spare.  I we would just take the baby steps needed to get to the all important SPEED mandate the auto industry has placed upon itself, we could have thousands of electric vehicles on the streets while waiting for them to receive their bailout money and pay  us more lip service.  My car is manufactured by Zenn Motor Co. in Canada.  Its a two seater with plenty of cargo space in the back, roll back sun roof, and A/C.  The cost is around 18k, much less than the "purported" Chevy Volt, which won't be ready for at least a year, if ever, and will cost over 40k.  Also look for the "compressed air" car, manufactured in India by Tata Motors for a French company, due out next year.

If there is to be a bailout, it needs to come with agreements on higher fuel standards and a comprehensive plan to overhaul the auto industry.

Stewart: One of the most thought-provoking movies I have seen. Got it at my library last year and watched it with my family.

Hopefully, the ride is over for big oil. You can see it in the now lower prices that the gig is up, and the upper administration isn't going to be pals with them as before.

I am ready for an alternative energy car. I will pay a premium price for good engineering. The Prius and Civic hybrids are a start. I'm waiting for the Chevy Volt. GM needs a SURGE to get it's sale back on the road again.

Good topic; thanks.

that is a  excellent documentary  and it makes you wonder who is in charge?