Resume production of plug-in cars now!

[Kote12TK]

For the idea to be approve, it must benefit government pocket and increase oil company income. These two is always "missed" by every inventor. Rooftop solar panel will pay off in short time, if every home appliances and every vehicle we got will have their power from "solar".

[kostea13]

ev is the future

[r4nd0mn4me]

Odd how every time I post a reply to a comment, it gets sent to the top :S

[diggingforgold]

Are rooftop solar systems worth it? Do they pay off (if so how long)?

[r4nd0mn4me]

That's not the point here, what you should ask is: do they cause oil spills? fires? explosions and gas leaks? wars? nuclear waste? huge environmental disasters?...No they sit on the roof and run for 25 years+ and happily give you clean power.

[diggingforgold]

@r4nd0mn4me,

I'll take that as a "no". But I'm still curious how long it would take for a solar system to pay off. I approach this like any other financial investment. I examine the cost, and then the expected return.

If a solar system will cost me $50,000 and won't pay off for 30 years, I'm wouldn't be interested.

It seems going green is something that everyone wants to do but only the rich can afford. I'm not rich, so I have to closely consider the cost and return of such an investment.

[r4nd0mn4me]

It's not likely going to give you the big financial payoff you are used to. The payoff of this solar system is you can drive by the gas stations and know that your kids may have some clean air left when they grow up.

[GSpotter63]

There is a solar power installation company in Calf. right now that will place power systems on your roof for the same monthly cost of your average monthly electric bill. And the payments will never increases until it is paid off. This means, that your solar system will cost you no more than your current electric bill is now. And when it is paid off the rest of the electricity if FREE! Even for you EV.

[FirebirdKnight]

It's not just the government that's got to change it's the oil companies they have a huge foothold in in the country and how it's run they even have a controlling share of GM.

[randycarter2001]

Doug could you do yourself and everybody on the road around you a favor. Please don't film and drive at the same time, that's how accidents happen. I would hate to see you or that EV damaged.

[r4nd0mn4me]

He has a point, find yourself a cute little camera girl.

[dg4rez]

I would love to own a EVcar.But as for dollar per dollar, it would be stupid. Your EVSUV sold on ebay, used with 46k miles like a month ago for 45k or something like that. I could buy a prius, and I could drive it for 200k miles or something like that, before I would reach the price of just your EV SUV, thats if, by chance, the nihm battery lasted the full 200k (would be for me, 20 years) when the GM truck had NiHm batteries, and almost all them have had to be replaced. at the cost of 6-8k

[dg4rez]

you can tell down the road we have concepts that are not pricy and get 100+ MPG or EV. like the Ventureone. with a price tag of 15-25k, depending on options. its more worth it. But I dont see the point right now, in spending 46k for your SUV.. then 8k every few years for the battery. when you can have a prius and spend around 1k a year in gas.

[GSpotter63]

Let us not forget that battery technology is advancing as we speak. If battery replacement is required in 10 years, I have no doubt that by then; there cost will drop significantly along with a large increase in efficiency.

[GSpotter63]

I want a VOLT for $ savings and energy independence.

I would like the Volt to be priced at $35k but even at $40k I would buy one. Here's the math:

GAS SAVINGS:

16 gal / week at $4 / gal = $64 / week

$64 / week X 52 weeks in a year = $3328 / year savings

ADDED ELECTRICAL EXPENSE:

$100 / month X 12 months in a year = $1200 / year expense

$2128 savings a year, so in 2 1/2 years I will have recouped the extra cost of the Volt.

Then there is the big savings from lower maintenance costs.

[dg4rez]

thats one thing I hear alot. "big savings from lower maintenance cost" which is bullshit. The maintenance on an EV is batteries.. and a few select things that might go out. but if you just say convert a ranger to EV. your looking at every few years to be buying 4-8k worth of batteries.. which if you have the car 10 years.. your looking at 8-16k worth of "maintenace costs" if I bought a Yaris for 14k,it would be far cheaper than buying an EV car (I dont want to support gas, only my budget)

[r4nd0mn4me]

I would gladly give a battery company my money if it meant I would not have to bow to the whim of fuel companies and governments.

[GSpotter63]

If using batteries instead of gas you save $2,000 a year. In 10 years that is $20,000. Now, minus the cost of replacement batteries $6,000 and you're left with a savings of $14,000 in ten years. THAT'S $14,000 FOURTEEN THOUSIND DOLLARS IN SAVINGS. Or $1,400 a year.

[ClownFight]

Here's the problem.

Governments all over the world make MORE money from the sale of gasoline than ALL the other stakeholders combined. Gasoline taxes are the lifeblood of many economies. By reducing gasoline consumption the Government will reduce their income and have to INCREASE taxes in other areas. This is political suicide.

I believe the revolution will come from the little guy doing Electric Vehicle conversions and Solar panel installations. One house at a time getting 'OFF THE GRID'.

[Odziz]

The Israeli's have the right idea with Project Better Place. Taking all their gas guzzlers off the road and replacing them with electric vehicles. This is also happening in Denmark and Portugal. The car manufacturers involved are Renault and Nissan. Mitsubishi is also involved with a similar project in Portugal. I hear Mitsubishi I-MIEV is coming to the States next year.

[deloreanowner]

we all have to pull our weight to make this happen. being young i cant do too much, but im conserving energy, and pursuing electric conversion

[JavaLessons]

I guess government isn't what it once was.

And certainly not what it should be.

People are building their own EVs and that is significant.