BMW...All cars to be electric in a decade..

[jaykay]

Battery capacity is one thing but the time to charge for range is a whole other kettle of fish. Perhaps a whole new industry can be developed around long range charging stations...hotels, cafes, spas.....shopping etc.

I may be totally unaware of the progress of current battery technology...but I think the charge time and weight of Li ion are just never gonna cut it long range. Something like a nano flow cell configuration is much more viable competitor to the ICE. Pump in some electrolyte and away you go.

While electric allows people some relief from pollution in high concentration population centres. I just jope that the efficiency is such that we will not be just just shifting Carbon emissions to a dirty grid. I for one will be truly saddened when the "sports car" I am driving no longer gives me that soulful visceral experience that has everything to do with a great sounding/feeling ICE...

[Timco]

What about battery disposal? Aren't these cars worse than any because of the footprint or whatever the battery disposal does?

Why not solar collectors built into the roof or braking to recharge?

[particlewave]

Batteries can be recycled.
Current lithium batteries are not the best ecologically, but they are not the future.

I know it's hard to envision if not in the field, but we will see batteries that charge faster than you can fill a tank, much longer cycle life, and charging that can happen on the move in an induction charging lane, not only at a station (some of these innovations may be 40-50yrs off, but the tech will surpass ICE much sooner).

Solar panels on the car? Not so much. Photovoltaic paint.

[Pdwight]

Lithium Sulfur is imminent...this we will all see right away

10 years perhaps carbon nano-tube .....but don't hold your breath

[thstone]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Batteries can be recycled.

Yes and no.

Yes, some parts of a battery can be extracted and recycled (40-60%).

But no, the remaining 40-60% of a battery cannot be recycled and must be disposed.

Companies like Tesla like to say that lithium ion batteries are safe since they don't contain lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium or several other toxic chemicals. What they fail to leave off the list is that li-ion batteries do contain nickel, cobalt, and of course, lithium; none of which you want in your drinking water.

Also, let's not forget that it isn't by luck or chance that Tesla uses a company in California who is the leading expert in handling toxic waste disposal to perform their battery recycling. That alone should tell you just how "safe" battery recycling is.

[rexcramer]

Just the thought of an induction lane capable of charging my car on the fly is making my twigs and berries crawl back inside.

[Pilot2519j]

We will all be driving golf carts. Thanks you EPA and the present administration of ****************************s that rule DC without support of the people they are supposed to serve.

[Finnegan]

Another reason to love older cars: They don't get hacked.

The definitive account of how hackers can gain access to our cars | The Washington Post

[particlewave]

Education is a personal responsibility.
It's going to happen, no matter how much the ignorant piss and moan about it.

[rexcramer]

One of the biggest hurdles north america will need to overcome, before we all go electric car shopping, is the aging electrical systems in both countries. There are +/- 200,000 miles of aging high voltage lines, some of which date back to the 1880's in north america. I believe the Dept. o'Energy estimates the cost to replace and maintain the current USA system at +/- $180 billion. That number does not include any additional lines to support new power requirements.

I am the perfect candidate for an electric car. I have a 2 mile commute for work and I rarely stray more than 50 miles from home. Somebody make an all electric 1972 Datsun 620 truck, with a 150 mile range for under $25K, and I'm in.