Quote:
Originally Posted by yvanleterrible
I don't think that PVs on an EV is achievable for some time unless there's a scientific break. The best alternative is to cover parking grounds with PV covered roofs. PV covered parking spaces have other benefits. They shade the cars from the sun so it is not as hot when you get in to it then less power to cool it down. Less sunshine on a car will also lengthen the life of plastic and composite parts. We all know a car in a garage lasts longer. Roofs will also help with snow and freezing rain management. Extra power can be harnassed for other use.
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Agreed. I proposed the same thing in
Chasing the Light (
plug, plug!), and there are examples of
PV-shaded parking lots out there right now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yvanleterrible
If I go back to the price of EVs... There goes my paranoia again...
There are cheaper alternatives than the BYD and the Nissan Leaf...
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Absolutely... and your paranoia is mostly justified--although the existence of an oil-based infrastructure, and a lack of comparable electric car infrastructure, explains a great deal of the price mismatches. If we were building and selling electrics, and just started to build the oil refineries and systems needed for gas-powered cars, the shoe would be on the other foot.
Still, govt subsidies and lobbying to keep the EPA at bay are also a big factor in the price differential... remove those, and the value of electrics would be clear to all.
And as I've driven
small cars in the past (Chevy Sprint in the U.S., Kia Picanto in Aruba), I don't have a problem with cars like the Think City. Basically, if it's got decent range and does highway speeds, it's all good.