# Would you buy an electric car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365 "2013-06-19T15:14:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/1 "2013-06-19T15:14:05Z")
Referring strictly to a plug-in **electric only** vehicle ([“Battery Electric Vehicle” or BEV](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_electric_vehicle)). ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/2 "2013-06-19T15:19:40Z")
You don’t have an option of: “I would if it made financial sense and was as convenient in terms of size, amenities and travel on one fillup/recharge as contemporary gasoline vehicles”. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/3 "2013-06-19T15:21:35Z")
I would if they were ubiquitous (which is a combination of being priced right, having infrastructure and waiting a few generations, verging on having no other choice). ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/4 "2013-06-19T15:28:54Z")
I went with “_I would if/when they are available in my price range._” and “_I would, but only if it’s a Tesla._”; however, the latter part of that isn’t so much about the company, but about the fact that only Tesla’s current tech is acceptable to me. In other words, I would be 100% comfortable with a 260 mile range EV as my only car, but not so much with the range on, say, the Nissan Leaf. I’m at 65k miles on my current car and I can count the number of times that a 260 mile range would have been insufficient on a single hand, that was missing several fingers. With regard to the price range, I actually don’t mind paying a premium to get an electric vehicle, but I’m squarely in the compact and subcompact range right now. So I’d be looking for something that cost 25k or so, with size/performance/finish comparable to the standards in the Yaris/Fit or Corolla/Civic classes, and with a 250+ mile range. I’m sure we’ll get there eventually, and once we do, I’ll be on board. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/5 "2013-06-19T15:29:15Z")
I don’t really drive that much in general. Which I suppose would make me an ideal candidate to own a plug-in electric, but I like my giant gas-guzzler and will continue to drive it as long as I have the option. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/6 "2013-06-19T15:34:31Z")
I would if the price was reasonable (and a lot less than a gas powered car) or if the performance envelop was closer to an IC car and the price was only slightly more. Or, if someone rich wants to just give me a Tesla then I’d be thrilled!! ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/7 "2013-06-19T15:56:51Z")
Other–I’m _building_ an electric car, rather than buying one. I’ll be keeping my gas-powered truck around because I need its hauling capacity on a regular basis, and because I occasionally drive farther than the car’s range will take me. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/8 "2013-06-19T16:04:09Z")
As soon as there is one that is comparable to my current car in terms of price, performance, cargo capacity, and range. Plus, there has to be a way to fill it up while out on vacation without waiting around for an hour or two. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/9 "2013-06-19T16:21:06Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I would if they were ubiquitous (which is a combination of being priced right, having infrastructure and waiting a few generations, verging on having no other choice). - 1 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/10 "2013-06-19T16:23:43Z")
I \*would \*when it’s in my price range and I’m looking for a new car, but I also \*might \*buy a hybrid if they keep up their pace, or I might buy a different alternative (like hydrogen cell) if they become viable. I’m also interested in the progress of self-driving cars - there are already market cars that won’t let you back over something, and of course google has their completely autonomous vehicle - if I have to make a budgetary decision to spring for one or the other, self-driving car technology might win out. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/11 "2013-06-19T17:06:46Z")
I voted “I would if the infrastructure was widespread.” Reason being I have no options for plugging in at home (apartment, carport has no outlets.) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/12 "2013-06-19T17:10:28Z")
If I could recharge it in 2 minutes and it was cost competitive then not just yes but hell yes. It would still have to be a 2nd car as they aren’t really good for towing. If I had the money I’d have built one by now as that is the most practical way to do it today. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/13 "2013-06-19T17:25:56Z")
Plug-in hybrids seem like the best option overall. But all the electric cars currently cost more than any gas savings. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/14 "2013-06-19T17:28:22Z")
Other. I have no problem with them and would buy one as soon as it can do everything my mid-sized SUV does. Including good 4x4 and a range of 300 miles or so with a 5 minute charging time. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/15 "2013-06-19T17:31:58Z")
Why not a simple, “No” option? The only thing close is “I’ll nevah!”. Things could change in a few years. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/16 "2013-06-19T17:46:37Z")
I can see my next car being an electric vehicle, but I’m not going to be in the market for a car for another four years or so, and I would probably have to live in a different house. I currently have street parking, so I’m not about to drag an orange extension cord out of my place and down the street to recharge. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/17 "2013-06-19T18:00:03Z")
Yes, once the infrastructure is in place. Which could mean electrifying the roads instead of plugging in when stopped. There’s some interesting R&D going on in that field these days. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/18 "2013-06-19T19:10:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Balance said > Other–I’m building an electric car, rather than buying one. I’ll be keeping my gas-powered truck around because I need its hauling capacity on a regular basis, and because I occasionally drive farther than the car’s range will take me. As am I. I am in the gathering parts and information point at this time. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/19 "2013-06-19T20:21:06Z")
I’d totally replace one of our cars with one if they were priced for that market, which of course they are not. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365/20 "2013-06-20T09:30:24Z")
I will purchase one when a longer range battery comes along. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-an-electric-car/661365.md?page=2)