In the Market for Electric Cars?

The velocity at which the electric car movement is progressing is something to watch. Tesla, the California innovator who created its roadster in 2008 is hoping for federal funding to get its newest car, the Model S, on the road for just under $50,000 after rebates to be more competitive with the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt.

This marks a sorely needed shift in the philosophy of automakers who have been slow to adopt the technology due to the limited driving range from a single charge and long recharging times. But as battery technology improves, offering lower cost and higher energy storage rates, manufacturing will begin to increase among the major automakers.

Take a look at Alan Boyle’s Cosmic Log to learn about V2G technology or vehicle-to-grid transfer. It’s the concept of moving power back and forth between a smarter grid and more capable electric cars. President Obama’s suggestion that a million electric vehicles will be on the road within 5 years has accelerated (I couldn’t resist) the concept as the fear that all of these vehicles will overload the power providers.

Houston, San Francisco and other cities are powering up to accommodate the growing trend and installing car battery chargers around their cities. As a NYC resident I haven’t seen this trend catch here yet but with Mayor Bloomberg at the helm it won’t be long. If I were to own a) at the garage at London Terrace Towers if I asked to park and charge my Venture One – a 2 passenger, 3 wheeled, 100 mpg plug in series hybrid from Venture Vehicles in Los Angles.

See what Chester and the Green Queen think about electric cars

Tagged as: Chevrolet Volt, Electric car, Energy, Model S, Nissan Leaf, Technology, Tesla Motors