About To Get An EV? Make Sure You Know About THIS

Of course if you're going to get an electric vehicle, you should be concerned about charging. Considering I hadn't really given it much thought, I never prepared my home for such an issue. Well, that didn't make things easy when I received a Toyota Prius Plug-In hybrid and a Chevrolet Volt.

Since there were only two exterior outlets, neither of which were located close enough for the 25 to 30 foot power cords, I found myself charging up at my significant others or a friends. Not exactly what I had in mind.

So, since 00R is an idiot, make sure to read up on the logistics of charging by clicking "Read Article"

With gas prices rising and instability in the Middle East, the thought of an electric car in the garage might be getting more appealing.

Before you jump for the new technology, though, make sure your garage is ready to be a refueling station.

Depending on which car you buy and how old your home is, it could cost a couple of thousand dollars to prep the garage so you can charge a car quickly enough to take off for work in the morning with a full battery.

Then again, it could cost nothing at all.

Start with the age of the home. Older houses may not have enough juice to handle an electric car. Fifty years ago, who would have thought we'd be plugging in cars at night...

[Source: The Detroit News]

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Hoorayforpeepee - 4/8/2011 9:39:27 AM

+5 Boost

The title of this thread has something very '' panicky '' about it, living in Canada we all have block heater outlets in front of our garage within about 6 - 10 feet from the door so to be honnest it's no big deal.

Now to be honnest, extenders cost 9$ at your local Home Hardware store ...

veyron1001 - 4/8/2011 9:46:27 AM

+1 Boost

You might lose your warranty if something goes wrong.

Hoorayforpeepee - 4/8/2011 10:45:07 AM

+2 Boost

I think that any plugin concept right now is a brilliant, I'm already looking at companies with solar powered charging station that feed a battery during the day that then recharges your car at night.

How insane would that be !

Steve - 4/8/2011 10:49:20 AM

0 Boost

Note that the concept you describe is not accurate. The "small gas engine" you describe in the Volt is not a generator, as your posting implies. It is a regular, small displacement gasoline engine that is connected to the drive train, so when you use gas, you're pretty much driving a "regular" car. The Volt is actually a hybrid that has the plug-in ability, and the ability to run short distances on electricity only, and use the gasoline engine as a conventional backup in case the electricity runs out.

Independent studies have found that the Volt, when running as a pure electric, or when running as a gasoline car, is not as fuel efficient as the competition. And it's more expensive. All this adds up to giving the Volt a second thought rather than a second chance.

atc98092 - 4/8/2011 12:21:31 PM

+4 Boost

Steve, not quite.

In the majority of driving conditions, the Volt engine is never mechanically connected to the drive train. There is one limited condidtion that it actually assists with driving the wheels, which I believe was at freeway speeds above 70. The remainder of the time it only powers the generator. The generator powers the electric motor, with a minor amount going back into the battery.

You are accurate that when using the gas engine, it doesn't offer very impressive mileage. Where it shines is when you can stay within the electric range and use the gas engine as little as possible.

Lexus - 4/9/2011 3:28:20 AM

+1 Boost

Hopefully more car like this are coming out. And it would be really nice if the next generation Infiniti G37 coupe, Lexus IS350, BMW 335i, MB Class C350 and Audi A4 offer this as well but still maintain the fun factor.