[lacrew]

This is one of my biggest problems with the electric car (and I suspect why the EV-1 rental fleet was recalled and destroyed).

These vehicles are more like a space shuttle than, say, a ‘69 Camaro. What I mean by that is that they are very complex, and alot of stuff has to go Right...or they may catch on fire.

What on earth is going to happen, as the electrical vehicle fleet ages? Some of these ‘sealed compartments’ might start leaking on the entire fleet.

Electric vehicles should be left as toys for the uber rich...they can afford to maintain them, in the same manner one might maintain a private aircraft. Anything less than that will ultimately result in more fires.

[cripplecreek]

Electric vehicles should be left as toys for the uber rich...they can afford to maintain them, in the same manner one might maintain a private aircraft. Anything less than that will ultimately result in more fires.

I've heard Jay Leno basically say the same thing. He said he likes his but its not for everyone. He cited expense, limited range, his own personal diving habits etc.

[Secret Agent Man]

That isn’t why the EV-1’s were taken back. They were not recalled. The people who wnet into that program never actually owned them, they were loaned to them with the expectation GM would take them back. People driving them begged to buy them when they were told GM was going to demolish them.

And they didn’t have the problems these newer cars have, they were using regular lead acid batteries and less technical, technology.

Everyone I have ever read about who participated in the EV-1 study really liked the cars and had overall very good things to say about them. They were pretty small for their time and perhaps GM didn’t think they’d sell because of that. Also given there wasn’t huge general popular demand for alternatives and even less charging stations around in case you did need a boost.