I don't see it happening unless things get drastic. The longest range I've seen for a totally electric vehicle is 320 miles for the new model Tesla. For daily driving only (i.e. to work & shopping afterward then home) an electric would be useable but it would mean having to have two vehicles w/ expenses (tags, insurance, & maintenance) if you wanted to travel very far. Depending on which direction, this wouldn't get a lot of us out of the state.

Charging would depend on your driving habits (distance, speed, & time of day). If you work first or second shift, you would be able to charge it in the early morning when power is cheaper & demand is down. It would make the most sense to use 220v single phase. It's faster & more efficient than 110v plus most residences already have 220v service and should have room in the breaker box. Ideally, a higher voltage with three phase would be used except it means more work and expense to install (definitely a possibility for a fleet or if the facility already has three phase).

IIRC electricity is already cheaper than gas if you only look at the "fuel" required to travel a distance. The difference is in the equipment. I don't know what the Chevy or Nissan cars use, but for 110v, the Prius charges @ 110v 12Amp in three hours using a standard plug.


Edited by UTAlumnus (10/18/11 02:42 AM)