The State of Electric Vehicles in America - 10.23.2011

Electric vehicles are hitting the streets in larger numbers, led by models like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. By one estimate, there could be more than 600,000 EVs on U.S. roads by 2014, but that's a speck in the rear-view mirror compared to the roughly 140 million passenger cars Americans already drive.
This week, energyNOW! looks at the state of electric vehicles in America today: are they accelerating into the fast lane, or could they run out of juice in the race against internal-combustion cars?
energyNOW! Spotlight: Growing Pains for Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
Electric vehicles hold the promise of reducing both emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. EV supporters say the electric car is a business opportunity unrivaled since we got off the horse. But many potential EV owners are concerned about the higher price of electric cars and their limited range, compared to gasoline-fueled models.
Correspondent Lee Patrick Sullivan looks at the independent carmakers and big auto companies trying to charge up the transition to EVs and convince American drivers that going electric is really worth it.
Revenge of the Electric Car
Virtually all of the electric vehicle industry's history has been documented by environmentalist filmmaker Chris Paine. His 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" accused U.S. automakers of crushing EV development in the 1990s. Now, his new film, "The Revenge of the Electric Car," says the industry has turned a corner and brought EVs back from the dead.
Anchor Thalia Assuras talks to Paine about how the auto industry has shifted gears to view EVs as a business opportunity instead of a threat. And Paine provides a private look at his home to show how he lives an environmentally responsible and EV-powered life.
Leading the Charge: Next-Generation EV Batteries Zap Range Anxiety
Range anxiety, or concerns about how far electric vehicles will travel on a single charge, is one of the biggest limitations on the EV industry. In fact, a recent survey said only 20 ...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chevy Volt
• Chris Paine
• electric vehicles
• ev
• Nissan Leaf
• Revenge of the Electric
• Tesla
• Tesla Roadster
• Transportation
• Who Killed the Electric

[krayziesensei]

@RayG707 I think there will always be a place for gasoline-powered high performance vehicles. But, eventually a gas-powered car for everyday use won't make much since money-wise IMO.

[krayziesensei]

Ford sold 2 million model T's. Nearly 25% of all cars on the road at that time were model T's. He was able to accomplish this by making it a vehicle that was cheap enough that the average family could afford it. You make an electric car with at least 100 mile range that is affordable for a working-class family and you will change the world. Even the Nissan leaf is too expensive.

[362chop]

Thalia always had the skills..Go Thalia.

[RayG707]

Electric cars are disgraceful excuses for cars. Long live roaring V12s and thundering V8s, superchargers and turbos, and vehicle performance.

[tomofnorthcal]

Thanks for creating this channel. I'd also like to see more technical content. Please also interview A123 Systems.

[stunninglad1]

I'll stick to standard fuel cars.

[WDPlumbing]

@mphello Well yes I don't disagree on that, and I'm not here to argue, but when or if that scenario ever begins to take place, than yes, functionality will be the only measuring stick in your need to acquire an electric car. But until then, cosmetics play a huge part in decision making. That being said, where will the manufactures of these ugly electric cars be when they are bankrupt ? Gone, by the time your "fighting for resources" scenario ever takes place. Marketing 101.

[mphello]

@WDPlumbing

Well, I spent enough time studying war and armed conflict, so I know that when people start fighting for resources and freedom and a relatively decent quality of life (globally such fights are NOT distributed evenly, of course, nevertheless, a decline in quality of life in one part of the world, even if orders of magnitude bigger than in America, mean a decline in quality of life in America) they're not going to care about marketing.

War 101.

[WDPlumbing]

@mphello Well it's actaully marketing, it has NOTHING to do with my opinion, I spent enough time in marketing to know that I don't have anything to do with that factor. But of course theirs also the small percentage of people such as your self that appearance is lower on their scale of buying factors. It's marketing 101.

[mphello]

Lutz doesn't believe in anthropogenic global warming (AGW).

Well, I don't believe illegal immigration or terrorism are real problems.

They are either highly exaggerated or non-existent.

I can "respect" his belief as long as he respects mine and gives me equal airtime to voice my opinions.