🚀 go-pugleaf

will1000@ix.netcom.com (Will Stewart ) wrote:

>In <4cmi34$n3g@spectator.cris.com> grep@cris.com (George B) writes: 

>>EV's will fit a very small fraction of commuters habits, folks are not
>>going to change habits to fit the car.

>What commuting profiles are you referring to?  Please support your
>extraordinary claim.

You must 1) park near an electrical outlet that you pay for. This
rules out most commuters in cities outside the Western US. Condominium
and apartment dwellers will not be able to charge the EV. 2) Probably
not workabe in areas with winter nighttime lows near 0F or lower
without a heated garage. 3) Must live close to work, this is
diminishing in the US as urban flight continues. I know folks that
drive 75 miles one way to work and very few that drive 10 miles or
less. 4) Not much margin for error for detours or side errands on the
way home from work due to range problems.

The automobile bacame popular first as a pleasure vehicle. As the use
became more widespread, services were put in place for them. Once a
fairly extensive infrstructure was in place (garages for repairs,
fueling stations) they became reliable enough for cross country travel
and commuting. 

Untill the infrastructure is in place, folks are not going to risk
travelling far from home in an EV. These support services will not
come until there is DEMAND for them. The EV is going to have to come
FRIST. When/if  they become popular enough the support structure will
be put in place and they would become attractive for even MORE folks.
As it stands, it is a nice idea for a single person that lives in a
home with a driveway that works in the same community where they live
and lives in a warm climate the EV would be a second car. A familly
COULD use an EV but they would likely need to be well enough off
financially to afford three cars.

I just do not see WIDESPREAD EV usage outside of suburban California
for a rather long time.

George Bonser
grep@cris.com

I'm tardy? Funny, I don't FEEL tardy!