Tesla, other electric vehicles poised to enter the mainstream

[bloomington-lib]

Source: MercuryNews

Tesla Roadsters, Nissan Leafs and Chevy Volts are already on the market, and every major automaker has at least one electric model in the pipeline, giving consumers an array of choices in the coming years. The new wave of EVs just beginning to hit American highways is not the first -- they were popular a century ago until cheaper, gasoline-powered cars gained dominance after World War I. But experts say the stars now appear to be aligned for an alternative to the internal combustion engine.

"This time it feels real," said Roland Hwang, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's transportation programs. "Automakers are serious. There's oil price shocks. The long-term trends are very positive. There will be potholes in the road as this rolls out, but there aren't any showstoppers."

When General Motors first launched the Volt, plans called for 10,000 to be built by the end of 2011 and 45,000 by the end of 2012. But GM is accelerating production, in part because some companies are turning to the vehicles to power their corporate fleets. General Electric has already ordered 12,000 Volts.

"It appears we've underestimated," said Tony Posawatz, the GM executive in charge of the Volt, adding that GM plans to make at least 15,000 Volts this year. "It's still early in the launch, but we're getting more and more feedback that the demand is out there. It's very much like using a smartphone -- once people have the experience of driving electrically, they don't want to go back."

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_17764005?nclick_check=1

[Kalun D]

1. 2012

Toyota will release a plug-in Prius. The range is about 35 miles electric and then it switches to hybrid.

[plumbob]

2. Excellent! Can't wait to plug in my electric car to my wind generated

electricity!

[grahamhgreen]

14. Exactly!

[Sonoman]

3. The Tesla Roadster is the most fun car I have ever driven.

And that is saying a lot, when I consider all the cars I have driven.

Sonoman

[truthisfreedom]

4. I liked my test ride so much I bought one.

It's charging right now in the garage. I love it!

[NCarolinawoman]

5. Hey, I charge my Black & Decker lawn mower in my garage.

I've been doing that for 12 years now. I can start that thing with my pinky finger. No mess, no problems, no fumes....and very very quiet. :)

I figured the charging costs me about $5.00 a year.;-)

[Sonoman]

8. You have a Roadster?

When I drove one, they weren't on the market.

Sonoman

[primavera]

9. Wow, someone on DU had $110K to spend on a car?

I'm impressed, I thought only bankers had that kind of cash in this day and age! :-)

[Romulox]

17. "the new base". nt

[nashville_brook]

6. just wondering -- did you write about the drive? i would love to read, if so :)

[Sonoman]

7. I am no writer.

Just a guitar player who has grown old.

I do collect fast cars and motorcycles, tho, and that Roadster was a blast. It just stuck to the pavement and all of that torque is instantly available.

Sonoman

[nashville_brook]

16. well, i'm totally envious! i've got a bad car crush on the Tesla :)

[DissedByBush]

10. "Mainstream" is getting quite expensive n/t

[dimbear]

13. Yup. When microwave ovens came out, they cost a grand.

Now you get change back from a 50.

[DissedByBush]

15. They also weren't pushed and subsidized

The technology was allowed to come down to a price most can afford.

[webDude]

11. A couple of years ago, SAAB had a plug-in hybrid at one of it's Europe auto ...

...shows. The plug had a SAAB emblem, glued over it, sealing it shut. At the time, they were under General Motors.

[Romulox]

18. Saab is now owned by a Dutch company. Where is this mysterious plug in hybrid?

Weird that all auto conspiracies start and end with GM, isn't it?

[customerserviceguy]

12. Perhaps this is not really relevant to the topic

But when I saw the name "Tesla", it reminded me of the History Channel show on Nikola Tesla, if any of you are so inclined, give this show a look-see when it repeats. He's really a pretty amazing historical figure, and richly deserves to have a really hot car named after him!