Free Republic

The growing popularity of environmentally friendly motoring in America has led to a new phenomenon, “charge rage”, as the owners of electric cars compete for places to plug in their cars. While the owners of electric cars may care about climate change, they appear to be less solicitous of their fellow ecologically-motivated motorists. Angry notes have been left on windscreens and drivers have returned to their cars to find that they have been unplugged.

An audit by theDepartment of Energy’s Inspector General found that the persistent weak demand for electric vehicles harmed the deployment and timeliness of a $135 million-plus taxpayer funded charging network, which spun a cycle of excessive grants and project expansion, that led to an enormous waste of public money. The investigators, led by IG Gregory Friedman, determined that conditions for reimbursement to Ecotality, Inc. (and its subsidiaries) for the EV charging demonstration project were “very generous,” although not explicitly prohibited under federal regulations. “While we acknowledge that the Department had maintained and archived award documentation, an independent reviewer cannot understand...

Back in the 1990s, when it seemed like electric vehicles were gaining traction with consumers, Costco did something unusual: the big-box retailer installed charging stations at many of its California locations. Now, however, those stations are being removed, and electric car fans aren't happy. According to Plug In America, Costco has offered no official explanation for removing the charging stations other than the Xeroxed signs taped to each that read, "Please be advised that this electric charger will be removed on August 15th, 2011. Sorry for the inconvenience." Costco's move seems curious for a couple of reasons. For starters, the...

SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. has announced plans to install three charging stations for plug-in electric cars as its parent company studies the future of rechargeable vehicles. Charging equipment has been installed at the company's headquarters in Springfield and at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Hadley. A third location is planned for Pittsfield. WMECO President Peter Clarks says the company wants to better understand consumer charging patterns and preferences. He says soaring gasoline prices and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions make it clear the electric vehicles are a key component of the future of transportation.

For a list of the greenest 2011 model-year vehicles, there sure are a lot of traditional gasoline engines among the top 12 cars ranked by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The council's 14th annual ratings of the most eco-friendly cars on the market include internal combustion models such as the Smart Fortwo, the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai Elantra. (Snip) The battery manufacturing and disposal processes -– which can be emissions-laden and toxic -– were also factored into the calculations and knocked electricity-dependent vehicles down a few rungs.