[Sylon]

Originally Posted by attila

Even though I drive an M3 and a GT3RS I consider myself a "green" person. My main concern with ANY hybrid is the battery. These cars do way more harm to our planet than the M3!!! The Li-ion or Li-poly or Ni based battery production require several very polluting step with highly toxic byproduct, not even mentioning battery recycling or waste.

Thats true. I read an article about a scientific test showing that driving a H2 Hummer everyday for a year was less damaging to the environment than the manufacturing process required to build a Prius. That it would take 5 years for the planet to recover from the damage caused to make 1 Prius. The problem is, the batteries in that Prius would only last 3 years before needing to be replaced. So you would be right back to square one.


Not to mention, Top Gear themselves proved that its not what you drive, its how you drive it. Comparing a Toyota Prius to a BMW M3. The Prius was driven maxed out around the track, the M3 just had to keep up. The M3 had better gas mileage than the Prius did.

[Red Bread]

I generally agree with this argument, but the three year life of Prius batteries would seem to be overly pessimistic. I still see plenty of the original Prius around, and they can't be worth a lot, certainly not enough for people to be replacing the whole battery unit every three years.

[Sylon]

I believe that was the lifespan of the batteries back when the Prius first came out. The article I read was kinda old. I'll look for the link to the article when I get home from work later tonight and I'll post it in here, unless someone beats me to it.

[ESC OFF]

Saw this over the weekend, three were on display, overall I like it, the door pulls are a little strange though. Cell phone pics only.

[flyinb501]

The technology is no where near ready for electric cars to compete. Why do you think they are all so expensive compared to comparable gas vehicles? The only reason people are buying these vehicles is so they can feel good about themselves IMO, which also does not make much sense.

Good looking car though.

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by flyinb501

The only reason people are buying these vehicles is so they can feel good about themselves IMO, which also does not make much sense.

And as a status symbol and exclusivity would be my guess.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by ESC OFF

Saw this over the weekend, three were on display, overall I like it, the door pulls are a little strange though. Cell phone pics only.

Nice parking job -- simply begging for "racing stripes."

[justinnum1]

It weighs over 5000lbs and gets like 24mpg...pass

[krnboy817]

it only does 125 mph top speed as well...

but i think people buy these cars because most "you and i" dont have one... and dont know this car like we know prius.

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

It weighs over 5000lbs and gets like 24mpg...pass

You can also go 32 miles after a 6 hour charge.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by rfx45

You can also go 32 miles after a 6 hour charge.

Haha, there are plenty of people that can go 32 miles in 6 hours on foot. I am not one of them.

[ESC OFF]

Originally Posted by aajami

Nice parking job -- simply begging for "racing stripes."

It was parked at a Fisker Dealer...along a highway, notice the window sticker?

[M3_WC]

It has a Wally Fingers mustache.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by flyinb501

The technology is no where near ready for electric cars to compete. Why do you think they are all so expensive compared to comparable gas vehicles? The only reason people are buying these vehicles is so they can feel good about themselves IMO, which also does not make much sense.

Good looking car though.

Technology not ready? This isn't the 1990's anymore with GM EV-1 and lead acid batteries. It's closer than you think. This year, most every manufacturer will sell a plug-in hybrid or full electric. The infrastructure will improve quickly to support that commitment.

Too expensive? A 2012 Nissan Leaf SL sells for ~$26K after rebates. The SL model has more "standard" luxury than was available at the time as options on my BMW.

Just to feel good about myself? Not really a prime motivator - simply comes down to costs. I spent $9745 in gasoline last year to commute - since it looks like current prices won't stop till settling around $4.50 this year - I'll probably spend closer to $11K this year.

By my calculations, a full electric car will raise my house's annual electric bill by $2K. But I'll save the $10K in gasoline. Total savings of ~$8K a year.

What about general happy feelings? Sure. An electric car has HOV privileges, so shorten commute time. Me be happy. Plus, I can get a license plate that says: EF OPEC. Or a window sticker that states: "Starve a terrorist. Drive electric". Or a decal that has Calvin pissing on OPEC logo. Lots of fun possibilities.

[MisterSkiMask]

I find plug-in technology interesting, but currently all we are doing is moving greenhouse gas production around (there are other benefits, but also other downfalls).

What about battery replacement, battery recycling (another operation we send to China for environmental reasons?) the list could go on.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by flyinb501

The only reason people are buying these vehicles is so they can feel good about themselves IMO, which also does not make much sense.

Yeah, the motives of a 50-something guy buying a Ferrari are much more pure - just ask the 20-something with 38Ds in the passenger seat!

[jatmallet]

Originally Posted by mshanno1

Is this going over I85?

Yes, well both 75/85 in downtown atlanta.

[krnboy817]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

I find plug-in technology interesting, but currently all we are doing is moving greenhouse gas production around (there are other benefits, but also other downfalls).

What about battery replacement, battery recycling (another operation we send to China for environmental reasons?) the list could go on.

already power stations consist of 21% and transportation is only at 14% and they(automakers & tree huggers) want to build more battery/electric powered cars to reduce natural resource (fossil fuel) usage and gas emissions? really?

[Soorena]

This car weighs 20KG more than a X6 M. and i hate heavy cars.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Analyst are now starting to predict Fisker's demise, according to Autoblog.

Fisker has recently laid off workers.

It was 16 people, these 16 people were working on converting the former GM Boxwood Road Plant for production of Project Nina, the cheap Fisker, the way it's being reported makes it sound like thousands are losing their jobs.

The Karma is built in Finland by Valmet.

[Chenry135]

Full electric cars will never work unless they can recharge as quick or almost as quick as gasoline.

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by Chenry135

Full electric cars will never work unless they can recharge as quick or almost as quick as gasoline.

This is true. I am not sure how electric charging stations will work if you need to keep the car plugged-in for an hour or more before you can move on.

Plus in those parking structures with electric charging stations, wouldn't be a main problem if people were jerks (trust me, there are a lot of them out there) and just pull the charging thingy off? Is there anything that can prevent anybody from pulling it out at all? When I went to the autoshow here in LA a few months ago, there had one of these machines and trust me, everyone that passed it was tempted to just pull the plug just for the heck of it.