[quote=patb]if you like the volt, realize the volt will likely be a key part of GM’s platform in 5 years. the Cadillac ELR is using the VOLTEC drive train, in 5 years, i suspect
GM will have extended that into escalades, Sierra’s, etc..
Toyota is continuing to grow the Hybrid Synergy drive. I suspect in 5 years
all of Toyota’s platforms will have a hybrid option and many of them will have
a Plug in option with a range of 20 Miles electric.[/quote]I am fully aware of plug-in hybrid tech and I personally think they’re more ready for prime time than 100% EV as it stands today.
[quote=patb]as for the Tesla, not every car has to use the Tesla battery, so much as they have to have a removable pack that’s mechanically compatible to Tesla.
Or what’s going to happen is you will see little small range extension trailers
for EV’s that have to take the occasional long road trip. When the EV-1 came out the engineers rigged little generators on 2 wheel carts so they could ferry to the test track. I suspect as EV’s get bigger, Level 3 charging, battery swap and the towed trailer will all add to the choice matrix.[/quote]Removable pack is the same as removable battery. Also, do you see how limiting that is in term of packaging compare to FCV and ICE? Model S and Model X are wide and big. If you want to have EV replace ICE, you also have to have cars the size of Fit/Yaris/etc. The space and packaging is very different between those two size of cars.
[quote=patb]I’m not sure why you are so down on Battery, but it would seem you are a better client for a Volt, a C-Max Energi or any of the EREV hybrids, so why not get one of those?[/quote]I’m not down on battery, just 100% EV as it is today. I like plug-in hybrid idea better. As for why I don’t buy the cars you listed, well, they’re all ugly and slow. Until they come out with a i8 like cars in a 5-series E-class type of cars, I’m not interested. The 2 front runner for my next car is a C63 AMG or a E63 AMG, just to give you an idea the type of car I’m interested in. I would have loved to have a Model S P85 with a 400 miles range and can be fully recharged w/in 10-15 minutes from either any outlet or have a charging station as widespread as gas station, but that doesn’t exist.
I also haven’t even touched on the fun cars like the GT-R/911/Corvette/etc. This is why I don’t see EV taking over as it stands today. Which is also why I’m more excited about FCV. FCV seems to have the advantage of refueling of gasoline, but has the power delivery advantage of an EV. Now, if they can get the cost down on those.
