Discussion on:

Consumers are less interested in electric vehicles

These numbers seem off to me...

I hear that Chevy Volt dealerships here in Northern California are backed up with six month waiting lists. I know that I have never owned a better car, and surprise!...it is US made. I believe the transition to these cars is inevitable, as range improves (no problem there for me), prices come down, and gas becomes more expensive.

While the rest of us are paying for it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/opinion/30neidermeyer.html?_r=2&ref=opinion

My gosh sir that article was written over two years ago? Lot has happened since then. Any more recent information to base your opinion on? I am of the opinion that one train of thought does not often provide a solution, and with the price of fuel and being held hostage to the tax payer subsidized Oil Companies, that surly we must at least look at alternative ideas?

And completely wrong. Oil subsidies (which are mainly depletion allowances that all resource conversion industries take advantage of, not just oil) are nothing compared to those for "alternative" energy, or electric automobiles.

EVs will survive or fail based upon price and utility to consumers. Subsidies only distort those decisions.

Still valid and still subsidized

The numbers also show a strong market penetration, similar to that of hybrids over a decade ago and that is in a downturn economy. Those numbers are taken out of context and are more of a down bleep over a period of growth.

But first, I'm not a proponent of evs. or hybrids, since, I'm one of those that believes that the whole "green car" industry is driven by the agendas of the environmental lobby and the liberal supporters in Washington and elsewhere.

The idea...

The manufacturers/dealers need to get together and issue guarantees for those cars for at least 10 years, which will cover all moving parts, including the power train and A/C system and the other optional equipment that people can order into their vehicles. Also, the warranties should include road service for those 10 years, and a guarantee that, response time WILL BE no more than an hour to get to the stranded driver.

Tires and other parts which can wear out through normal use don't need to be covered in the warranty.

Worry free ownership for 10 years, not just for power-train, is something which can help to sell more of those EVs and perhaps a lot more hybrids.

Even I, might want to own one of those things. But, it better still be affordable initially, and without government subsidies.

It is a hassle to plug in an EV all the time, imaging having to fill your car with a cup of gas every time you got home, PVs would allow a minor grace period in certain circumstances. Skin these cars with PVs... They should not come with paint, just PVs, ALL OVER... Hybrids need this as well... They will fight for the sunny parking spots while everyone else fights for the shade. Not many people have a place to plug in at the various destinations they might frequent...

Skinning the car in PVs will alleviate some of that uncertainty. Surely we have the technology to mold PVs into body parts, panels, trunks, and hoods

I see more and more leasing companies promoting EVs for their clients... I think that would generate higher interest and there are benefits of leasing a EV these days:
http://www.greendealinitiative.co.uk/2012/11/to-ev-or-not-to-ev-that-is-the-question/
I read somewhere that EV owners make a greater mileage than classic car owners and the vehicles are getting more and more improved each day. The great China is investing in these vehicles heavily....

since, most people will stay away from them, and, they would necessarily be more expensive to lease, because, they are more expensive to purchase and maintain.

Also, nobody who leases would want to have to maintain a charging station in their home for a temporary contract, and the only other way to recharge the vehicle might be to travel to the leasing company for a recharge, or to an out of the way charging station.

Not too practical. Not yet.