Electric Vehicle rant

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Most of you know that I really like the idea of electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles. Thanks to my friend SP for pointing out Mike Adams' (www.NaturalNews.com) great cartoon about "GreenBoasting." Adams writes:

"Why did Ford, GM and most of the American car companies ridicule Toyota over the idea of hybrid cars, and then later jump on the bandwagon with half-hybrid vehicles that don't really qualify as full hybrids in the first place? ... The truth is that auto companies are into GREENBOASTING -- the practice of spouting off environmental-sounding nonsense in order to please customers and increase sales."

While I do think that Tesla Motors have a fantastic vehicle, I think there's a better solution for me. For those that don't know, Tesla can boast some serious numbers (from their website):

• 0-60 in 3.9 seconds
• 135 miles per gallon equivalent
• 220 mile range
• All electric, enabling a cost of 2 cents per mile!
• Currently in production!

[Photo from http://www.teslamotors.com/ (Design Gallery) ]

The "Better Solution" that's out there for someone that needs an everyday car, a daily driver, as opposed to a sports car, is the plug-in hybrid vehicle. This way, you can putz around town going to work and back on all electric power. When you do want to take a road trip, you can still fill up at the gas station.

There are the numbers from Aptera's plug-in hybrid (from their website):

• 40+ miles on electric charge (enough for the great majority of Americans)
• 130 MPG for road trips (anything greater than 120 miles)
• 85+ mph top speed
• a bit sluggish 0-60 in 10 seconds
• $29,900 sticker price ($3k less if you want all electric)
• "Production of the Aptera is slated for late 2008."
  

[Photo from http://oneworldnews.files.wordpress.com ]