Most of the all electric vehicles in the United States today are NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles). The ZAP line of cars are just such cars.
Other electrics such as offerings from China and India do not meet stringent US safety rules. In the late 1990s, Chevy had an all electric S10 pickup truck. It was marketed mostly to utilities and was discontinued a few years later.
There are a few exceptions to the NEVs like the Tesla, an all electric sports car intended for all use, including high speed highway use.
Luckily a lot of these electric cars can be found online.
Even the much talked about Chevy Volt has a gasoline engine. The Chevy volt is a true electric hybrid, unlike all the others on the US market. It can go about 40 miles completely on electricity before a gasoline motor kicks in. This is actually desirable in the pursuit of range, but alas, there is gasoline involved.
An all electric car means many fewer consumable maintenance items. Components that will not fail or need replacing on a true electric car because it does not have them: catalytic converter, muffler, exhaust pipe, spark plugs, usually a radiator, oil and an oil filter.
Oh, and gasoline, lots and lots of gasoline. There are many others I forgot to mention. Basically, all the consumable stuff that keeps your average car dealer and filling station in business.
An electric car has a few really big batteries or a lot of smaller ones. These need to be replaced periodically, about as often as a gasoline car needs a new motor. The batteries are cheaper than a new motor.
This is a really good video:
There are a few things to look for when buying a used electric car. Most folks would focus on the overall look and cleanliness of the car (is it ‘clean’?). This is somewhat valid. Look for rust, replaced parts or wear. The batteries should be clean with no spills or leaks.
Here’s a car a mechanic put together from eBay purchases:
The electric cables are very important and need to be in good shape. As well, all the connectors need to be corrosion free. The batteries will usually last about 5 years. The date of the battery being put into service is usually on a sticker on the battery’s top. The on board charger should work perfectly. It, too, needs to be corrosion free.
This car is sold but the owner does a good job of explaining parts replaced as well as you get to ride along:
The ideal electric car? Perhaps a small motor on each wheel for power. The whole idea of a transmission is intended to keep the primary motor running at an ideal speed. This is completely not needed with an electric motor.
Unlike a gasoline engine, an electric motor is much more flexible and can have constant torque over a very wide range of revolutions. Just such a car was prototyped by the elder Mr. Porsche in the 1930s.
There are people that claim the one time manufacture of batteries produces more pollution than a gasoline car. Not true. It takes much more power to make a car go many miles than to make some batteries. Again, a specialized factory is making the batteries and batteries are recyclable.
For example, your typical lead acid battery (a car battery) is smashed, the lead and other heavy metals sink, the plastic case pieces float and the remaining acid can either be neutralized by adding the industrial equivalent of baking soda or reused in another battery.
The plastic is melted and reused directly as is the lead. The impurities that either have accumulated are skimmed off when the elements are melted.
Different chemistry in different batteries are treated similarly. Usually the battery is stripped and the remaining metals and catalysts are reclaimed, cleaned and reused. There are definite markets for all the materials involved.
Municipal recycling (town plastic recycling) are struggling to find enough buyers of all those bottles. Many are just thrown away after all.
Even Warren Buffett has seen the future of electric cars.
Electric cars just make much more sense.
| –Cars Show Here When Available– |
fuel pump electric 6v12v rc model gas petrol nitro reversible boat heli car, 1916 woods dual power gas electric car brochure hybrid, 1910 waverley electric car prestige brochure, 1904 pope waverley electric car prestige brochure, 1907 columbia electric car brochure, 1912 1913 woods electric car owners manual, 1919 1920 milburn electric car brochure, battery powered thomas tank engine wooden electric motorized train car, opera lamps for vintage car electric sidelamps paris taxi citroen renault, kona soloistt electric guitar with floyd rose tremolo in candy red ke60car, club car gas electric 8896 high perf gear set, club car gas electric 8896 high perf sear set, good used main fuse from 2000 gem nev electric golf car, delphi fg0086 automotive car engine fuel system electric fuel pump module, 2 schumacher 750a car battery jump starter booster air compressor charger xp750c, schumacher 75 amp 612 v car battery charger engine booster xc75 7520102 amp, electric shock novelty car keychain with led flashlight free ship, for men ac dc 12v car auto electric shaver razor, lot of 4 bachmann ho electric box car trains 51 bicentennial collection mib nr, electric motor scooter car school project science learning toy project kit set, mercedes w210 w202 c280 c230 e320 e36 95 water coolant pump electric heater, schumacher 750 a car battery jump starter air compressor booster charger xp750c, schumacher 75 amp car marine battery charger engine starter 6 12 volt xc75 , 2008 club car precedent electric custom golf cart 4 passenger seat 12 rims , ford think neighbor 2002 2 passenger seat ev electric car golf cart white 72v, electric club car carryall 6 golf cart utility catering beverage curtis cab 48v, zap car electric golf cart utility bed zapcar golf car , 2008 club car ds iq electric golf cart 48v 48 volt 2 passenger nr no reserve , 2005 4 passenger 48v electric club car golf cart 48v w lights jeep flat bed, 36v volt electric par car utility golf cart long flat cargo bed, marine 15 amp deep cycle car marine battery charger trickle maintainer ssc1500a, 100 feet 14 split wire loom convoluted tubing car 12v electrical wiring, traxxas 550 12t titan electric brushed rc car truck truggy buggy motor 110 , radio control drift gt bmw m3 110 electric rtr rc car drifting race cars new, radio control drift gt chevy silverado 110 electric rtr rc truck race cars new, maxsa 12 voltdc heated travelvehiclecarrv electric blanket winter warming, radio control drift gt lamborghini gallardo 110 electric rtr rc car race cars, radio control gt super sport rtr electric rc car hobby toy racing cars ac28095, radio control intimidator chevy silverado electric rtr rc truck hobby toy cars, vintage lionel lines electric train lionel scout car oscale no1001t wbox, ho alco nyc electric car s1, set 4 schumacher 6 amp 612 v automatic car truck battery charger maintainer xc6, set 2 schumacher 6 amp 612 v automatic car truck battery charger maintainer xc6, ho unknown prr electric car, 4 schumacher 6 amp 612 volt car truck battery charger trickle maintainer xc6, 2 schumacher 6 amp 612 volt car truck battery trickle charger maintainer xc6, 760 pcs insulated electric crimp terminals kit biggest kit on ebay , 6 volt electric priming fuel pump for 1950 and up cars can also be used alone , lifelike stock car thunder ho electric nascar race slot car race set , tyco electric trucking us1 slot car truck set working w box 4 action stations, vintage lionel lines electric train red caboose car oscale no1007 wbox
With regards to gorgeous high end autos, the Europeans maintain the crown, thanks to such legendary brands as Ferrari, Bentley, Koenigsegg, and Wiesmann. Enjoy luxury, benefit from life. Can’t wait til they make an electric.