Comments on: Battery leases make comeback; electric car conspiracy fans take note

Two start-ups are coming that will lease, rather than sell, batteries to consumers. Isn't this what big, bad GM did?

[caspiansails]

True Costs

I say reflect the true cost in the price of the vehicle so people can make intelligent choices instead of hiding the costs leases. For me a $150 per month lease on top of the initial cost of the vehicle is absurd. I would rather pay a higher up front cost and absorb that in one swoop. I don't drive that much and to tell the truth the lease cost is more then my current fuel costs. You take the lease cost and add in the electric costs and folks will soon realize the true costs of going green with these types of vehicles.

[theBike45]

Unlikely business model

There are loads of problems with this business model - the first is the false assumption that it makes that you need an all-electric automobile to acheive significant carbon emission reductions;
another is that this fellow can convince all future EV automakers (they're a lot of them) to use his standardized battery pack, placed where no
auto designer ever would - where this 500 to 700 pound pack can be easily unplugged and replaced.
Another problem - is this supposed to be a proprietary and monopolistic endeavor? If so, that won't fly.
There is also the matter of costs - this will cost considerably more for the consumer than a plug-in. Only those without access to receptables at their residense would benefit, but it would be a whole lot cheaper simply for apartments and condos to install parking space receptacles than for their tenents to use a service such as is being described here. My condo is already thinking of doing just this. The cost of putting
in such receptacles is not very much.

[drivin98]

Non-starter

Leasing is fleecing. Not interested. Th!nk will quickly learn many other people will feel that way. I'd rather convert my own vehicle with some Firefly batteries in 2009 than take on car payments AND battery leasing payments. I could go solar with that money.