Comments on: OK, enough of the electric car feel-good story

If we're talking about a breakthrough, then we're really talking about thinking big about a nationwide charging network. And that means turning to Uncle Sam for help

[shmody]

Sounds exciting to me! What would be better (and encourage a little green competition) is to have a rival region... ;)

Best,
Shalin

[Holly Klug]

My idea of electric transport is a train, without those pesky batteries, that will be the next ecological disaster.

[SteveW928]

I agree on the batteries... they are a huge problem. The other things that are needed 1) Utility-scale solar power plants 2) Distribution grid to get the power out of the sunny spots and onto the grid 3) nation-wide charging system. Until this happens, electric cars are only really pollution-shifting technology. They basically allows urban greenies with fat wallets a way to feel good about themselves. On a national scale, the above things are needed before the electric car is practical or really making much of a dent in emissions. That said... outside the battery issues, we have all the technology to do this... we just have to get going on it. I agree with the author that a project of this scale needs a push from the government... I'd say at least working on the electric grid aspect.

[tsport100]

Enough with the tin pot journos writing editorails like they can tell the new president what to do.... it's ALL OVER THE MEDIA and it's the height of arrogance! Run for office if you want the job!

[Jerry_In_Detroit]

In other words, you're saying our president elect is all knowing and has no need of conversation or advice with someone possibly more knowledgable on a particular subject. I'm afraid you're in for some disillusionment.

[tsport100]

MY EXACT POINT, you're believing your own PR pal!

You're a member of the Pundit Class... an armchair experts!

How are you, a news editor and former PC magazine journalist, qualified to give advice on any subject? LOL Run for office or apply to be an advisor pal, it might fracture your "all knowing" daydream!

[Jerry_In_Detroit]

All I can add to the conversation is check the science. As an engineer, I was always amused by Scottie's admonition the "Ye cannae violate the laws of physics." It's the truth and the source of many of our "green" disasters.

[billmosby]

Batteries, batteries. Is there any hope that an ultracapacitor can be developed to do the job?

[Stormspace]

I think cnet needs to make a decision about whether it's going to be a local or global news source. So, while news about electric vehicles in the "bay area" might be relevant overall it makes me wonder if the same consideration might have been made for someplace like Wilmington, NC. I guess I'd like to see a less bay centric news reporting from cnet.

[BtmnHatesRbn]

You forget that the Bay Area is the entire tech "world". Or it was during the 1980s and 1990s, right?

Other note, if the electric car is running on batteries, how would it work in a region like where I live where the temps in the summer is around 120 F and in the winter is around 70 F? The batteries would run out just sitting at the Wal-Mart parking lot. I know this because of all of the short-life the batteries have when I left my iPod or cell phone out in the car while I went shopping or went into office.

[crusadex]

I honestly don't think electric is the way to go.We still have to produce the stuff with coal ,natural gas and hrydro.Only one of those is cost effective.Solar and Wind,someday maybe.
I really don't want to be stuck with a car with little range and high cost electricity.
When my average one way trip is 80 miles electric isn't gonna happen.
Oh yeah Obama did say electricty prices will "nessacrily "go through the roof under his regime.

[ittesi259]

If you are gonna make a comment like that cite your source or keep your mouth shut. Using the word regime also brings your objectiveness into question.

[mchinsky]

Obama did say this in a video taped interview with a liberal newspaper. I think it was the SF Chronicle but not sure. If you are looking for objectiveness, reading blog posting on CNET, which is headquartered in the leftist central capital of the US is the last place you'll hear reality.

JUst like this whole story. If every car went electric tomorrow, where would you plug them all in and how would that energy be produced? Would you be willing to pay the equivelent of $15/gallon of gas to fund the cost of solar cells and wind towers and electric infrastructure to keep them charged?

The real answer has been with us for 50 years...Nuclear, but thanks to Jane Fonda, that's never going to be an option with democrats in control.

I'll eat my shirt if you guys are right and I'm wrong on this...

[SteveW928]

Obama kind of told whatever group he spoke with what they wanted to hear... so it wouldn't surprise me.

That said, I think electricity is the right direction, as we CAN make a lot of electricity pretty cheaply. The key isn't solar cells or wind, but utility size solar thermal type plants. They basically use mirrors to heat liquid in tubes up.. which then heat a type of silicon up to like 700+F. This can then run generators 24x7, just like a utility that runs on fossil fuels. It isn't future tech either, we can do it today... we just have to build them and get the electric grid worked out to distribute it properly. Then, yes, the batteries for cars are an issue... but we're not that far away on that. Either way though, we can use electricity for just about everything else... and if the sun is making it... its much more stable than other forms of fuel.

[Tom Budlong]

I remember sixty years ago, as a 12-year old kid, reading that electric cars were just a few years off, when 'they' developed the battery. I keep reading the same now. Reminds me of the joke: "Introduction of hydroelectric power in the Sahara awaits only the introduction of water."

But, with enough clever people now working on it, maybe something will finally happen. Just so the gov't does not spend money on the research. Private companies can do what they want with their money, and more power to them.

[Scott Gardener]

Personally, I'd like to see a geostationary orbital ring around Earth, with numerous gound-to-space elevator spokes that serve as both lift cables and energy pipes, with a massive array of solar panels. Better yet, screw it; let's make a Dyson sphere. I know, it'll take thousands of years, but the sooner we get started...