Poll: Americans still have doubts about electric cars

A lot of ink has been dedicated to the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf over the past few months, but the reality is that many drivers still have lingering doubts about the vehicles, according to a new poll by USA Today and Gallup.
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mini22 - 6/8/2011 11:30:26 PM

+2 Boost

The technology is still not there to offer the following:
1)Extended mileage range.The Volt only can do with a back up gas engine.
2)Cost even after rebates
3)Driving enjoyment
4)The cost to eventually replace the battery
5)They don't sound like a real car without a combustion engine noise
6)Most semi affordable ones have low roll resistance tires compromising handling.
7)While diesel gas is expensive the comparable cars cost less and offer all the advantages over what I just listed above plus they can be fun to drive.
Precious metals have to be able to be mined in the USA to make batteries cheaper. Some of my points apply to gas hybrids as well.
For example I would buy a Passat Diesel over a Fusion Hybrid. It's $2,500 cheaper,has better performance and better gas mileage at least on the highway is is way more fun to drive.

vdiv - 6/9/2011 8:09:39 PM

+1 Boost

Well I am a wood-burning, sushi-eating punk from Joyzey and I agree that after all the hype the Volt appears as a colossal failure. Considering the company behind it and their history with electric vehicles, this is not surprising. However the Volt is the first production (mostly) serial hybrid and the engineers did attempt to address the limitations of EVs and hybrids as listed by mini22 above. Let's hope that they will have the opportunity to stick with it and improve upon these humble and disappointing beginnings.