Electric Cars

So today I decided to surf the internet to educate myself about electric cars. I wrote to Mini USA to find out when the electric Mini Cooper would be available mass market. (Right now, it is only available for lease in certain areas.) Apparently the electric Mini is only in the "Field Test" stage, so I don't expect to see it in Tucson anytime soon. Although I think that Mini Coopers are some of the cutest cars on the planet, I am a little leery of paying $50K for an electric. I mean, seriously, it's going to be TWICE AS MUCH as a normal Mini?

The Nissan LEAF is scheduled to do their Field Test here in Tucson, so maybe I can get in on that. It is expected to be more reasonably priced, starting at $25K, with a range of 100 miles per charge. Considering my commute it 39.25 miles each way, I should be covered, but skeptics are saying it will likely only make it 70 miles under normal driving conditions. That leaves me stranded 10 miles from home. There is a LEAF tour event here in Tucson in a few days; I RSVP'd for that event, so maybe I can get some questions answered about that vehicle.

Tesla is also making electric cars. Their cars are more expensive, but the Roadster is said to go 244 miles on a charge. The Roadster costs $100K, but they are expected to release a sedan in a year or so that should be much more affordable. Too bad there are so few Tesla dealers around!

I'm actually thinking seriously about a Chevy Volt. It's a hybrid, but according to the Chevy website, it only uses gas when the charge runs out, which is after 40 miles or so. That means that I could get to work without using any gas. And if I could plug it in at work and let it charge, I wouldn't have to use gas going home, either. The question is, do you think my employer (aka The MAN), who is supposedly oh so green, will allow little old me to plug in a car? Or will The MAN call it stealing?

For now, though, I will be driving my Altima.