Without subsidy, these vehicles would disappear almost overnight. The only way they could be sold on the open market is for the price to be not more than a comparably sized conventionally powered vehicle, and the economy of scale is not there to justify the reduction in price.
GM produced an EV model several years ago, as a test of acceptability, but it too, disappeared. Not because of lack of public interest, but because they had glaring shortcomings of design and engineering problems, being only very short-range and with what could have proven to be serious problems if involved in a collision. The tires were too narrow to provide adequate braking in panic situations, and the pattery pack, like that of the Volt model, was subject to potential overheating is the cooling is in any way interrupted.
Not ready for prime time.
I believe you’re right about EV sales tanking without the $7,500 taxpayer robbery incentive but that’s exactly what should happen. Like you say, the Volt anyway is not ready for prime time.
I believe repealing the tax credit has a fairly good chance in the House, the Senate and Obama will not go along though.
January of next year could definitely be the death of it if we get the presidency and Senate.