Eight hurdles plug-in electric cars need to jump to get consumers charged

[seftonm]

There is one good statistic: BMW said in a presentation that the electric Mini generated 45 percent as much CO2 per mile as the gasoline-powered version.

Andrew Nusca - SMARTPLANET - Nov 16, 2009

Infrastructure is always a big concern. Progress is being made in that area, but is it enough? --Ed.

Most people like the idea of an electric car, once they get over the idea that it won’t die on them 10 feet down the road. But BMW researchers have found that there are many unexpected hurdles still blocking their path.

In recent field tests of BMW’s electric Mini Cooper, Rich Steinberg, BMW North America manager of electric vehicle operations and strategy, noted that the rollout of several hundred Mini E cars in Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York was more difficult than expected.

The biggest problem? Infrastructure.

Steinberg said installing the chargers in homes and buildings was more difficult and took longer than the company expected, and drivers still worried about the battery dying, even knowing that the Mini E could go 100 miles on a charge.

But “range anxiety” wasn’t the only problem. Here are Steinberg’s eight reasons why consumers haven’t gotten charged up about electric vehicles:... [Read More]

[JusBringIt]

There is one good statistic driving through these hurdles: the environmental impact of electric cars will not just move CO2 emissions to power plants, and BMW said in a presentation that the electric Mini generated 45 percent as much CO2 per mile as the gasoline-powered version, despite being 573 lbs. heavier due to a heavier battery.

I'm not sure what they're trying to say here...sounds like positive, but not "too" positive if you know what I mean.

[seftonm]

Yeah, there's definitely two sides to that. On one hand, that's a huge reduction. On the other hand, that's about the same as what a mildly hypermiled Gen 3 Prius will put out. A nice thing about electric cars is that they allow for the possibility of powering with renewable, locally made, clean electricity, which could reduce emissions much more than 55%.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

My issues:

Range: it has to be enough for comfortable daily use. Preferably over twice as much as a commute so I'm ok if I occasionally forget or there's a power cut. Actually, 110 miles of 65mph driving cover a regular Saturday trip nicely.

Price: there's only so much above a gas car that I can or will pay (and I would pay a premium).

Range in cold weather: how does it performance and how does warming the car up on freezing mornings affect the range.

Charging time off standard plug: I need to get home, charge the car, get up and go. It would be nice to be able to charge at friends' houses too. (Don't worry, I'd insist on paying them).

My non-issues:
Battery replacement: it's just a cost factor in deciding whether to buy. I'd save for a new one ahead of needing it. Just give me a reasonable distance/time warranty so I don't have to pay for duds.

Infrastructure: it'd be a second car. Infrastructure is nice but I know I can't go everywhere with it. I can rent something different.

Plug design: it's great the universal plug is coming but it wouldn't stop me buying. It's just something that could help extend a car's range.

Charger installation: again very nice to have but I'd base my purchasing decision off charging from a standard socket. I'd expect manufacturer support in this area.

Smart charging: again, nice to have to but we have a flat fee here so it doesn't matter.

Customer support: actually I'd be more concerned about reliability. In case of charging failure just give me a system with good diagnostics so it'll tell me who to call.

Smart grid: it's an electrical device. If you can use electric heating without a smart grid you can use a car without a smart grid. Only a factor if my area introduced variable tariffs.