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Investing In Electric Cars

Forbes -- Is the market underplaying the electric car or are investors being suitably wary of a new technology that holds promise, but not necessarily profits? Old-fashioned gas-powered cars are one of academia's favorite case studies on the unprofitable nature of disruptive technologies.

Add to that lesson learned the dot-com bust and the most recent financial crisis and perhaps financial markets should only be lukewarm on battery-powered vehicles. Yet Rod Lache of Deutsche Bank sees reason to think electric cars will spread faster than the public gives them credit for.

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Submitted Mar 09, 2010 By: Mudsprings

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mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,581 Points:795,390 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:32:57 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse It's a start but we need a new electric grid nothing else will do
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:1,867 Points:575,350 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:22:04 PM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse EVs may never take the place of a gas vehicle, but they could work very well for people who have short commutes. My wife drives 15 miles to work each day and spends $200 per month on gas. I am sure she could save by plugging and EV in each night. Chain saws used to be only gas driven, but now they have some electric ones that work quite well for small cutting jobs. They didn't replace the gas ones but are very convenient. I see EVs as the same.
nightworker998 All-Star Author Maryland Posts:719 Points:301,785 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:21:44 PM Ignore nightworker998 Report Abuse The electric car is only good in urban areas wher speeds are slower and commutes are within its range
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,239 Points:767,560 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:14:32 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Gotta do something. Nobama and his pals are pushing for $4 gasoline again, we may need the electic car to save this country from going bye bye into the black hole that were heading into now!
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:3,494 Points:710,315 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:11:55 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Naturally Rod is going to push the electric car since he probably has investments in them.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,977 Points:1,110,740 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:09:52 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse OGW:Nonsense! Public transportation is convenient for millions and if you factor in, acquisition costs, insurance costs, maintenance, fuel and parking owning or leasing takes up the rear.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:1,774 Points:388,375 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:07:53 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse Out of my price range.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,351 Points:670,265 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:01:39 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Anybody who drives any distance will need a gas vehicle as well as an an electric one unless they want to use public transportation and that is neither convenient or cheap.
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,568 Points:1,065,295 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:58:21 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse I don't think John Q. Public can afford a recharging station to make electric cars a viable option. [Edited by: zeddieiv at 3/9/2010 10:58:47 PM EST]
fightbigoil71 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,780 Points:593,160 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:52:34 PM Ignore fightbigoil71 Report Abuse I am not convinced
RobRD Champion Author Alberta Posts:3,828 Points:896,020 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:50:46 PM Ignore RobRD Report Abuse EVs still have to prove themselves.
minnesotagirl Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,167 Points:286,165 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:49:57 PM Ignore minnesotagirl Report Abuse I will wait and see
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,818 Points:604,880 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:48:45 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse Put a wind turbine on top.
SpaceAce5 Veteran Author South Dakota Posts:300 Points:66,245 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:45:36 PM Ignore SpaceAce5 Report Abuse maybe a solar cell on a post for micro charge to get to a plug, maybe even find a way to incorporate solar cells into the roof and hood?!?
beachbumCA Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,059 Points:765,550 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:33:13 PM Ignore beachbumCA Report Abuse When I go to the cabin its a hours drive for gas in a small town. I do not think an electric car could find a plug.
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,819 Points:1,854,830 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:28:48 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse The infrastructure for recharging these Electric Cars is not in place, they need to take care of that first then people may start too buy, and pricing is another issue.
Jeeputtputt All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:700 Points:179,770 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:25:00 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse Tomok , Nothing , I'm renting........sorry
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,689 Points:1,645,940 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:23:57 PM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse I know that I will never buy one.
TXGasPriceSpy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,676 Points:502,570 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:21:41 PM Ignore TXGasPriceSpy Report Abuse I guess next I'll be the TXElectricPriceSpy!!!
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:3,477 Points:608,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:12:04 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse ...and whenever electric vehicles are used see to it they're taxed for their electricity at a comparable rate as gasoline for road taxes.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:8,071 Points:910,710 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:08:54 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse be ready for a slooow rate of return
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:8,752 Points:1,546,940 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:08:27 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Get onboard or the Chinese will beat us to it. Millions of possible sales in California alone, and all other big cities with mild climates.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,382 Points:558,105 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:05:11 PM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse simplify charging and increase range to make this thing acceptable to the average driver
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:43,245 Points:649,335 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:04:06 PM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse not for me!!!!
rugbyphil Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:13,761 Points:2,550,220 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:59:12 PM Ignore rugbyphil Report Abuse electric would work in a big city, but NOT out west...PERIOD
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:56:20 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse I am living in the desert Southwest enjoy the dividends of a mild climate and cheap nuclear generated electrioity.
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:5,246 Points:527,495 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:52:50 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse The electric car is the future of the automobile... it's just that the future isn't here yet, and for a number of years.
burgerlover Rookie Author Santa Fe Posts:17 Points:2,820 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:47:10 PM Ignore burgerlover Report Abuse Tomok, my neighbor has the setup you are describing and is making money selling surplus electricity to the local grid. The heating system is also working well. He has an all electric house and only has to circulate hot water for heating. If we mess around long enough with hydrocarbon fuels in the interest of sucking as much profit as we can from the American consumer, We'll give all our money to someone else for electric cars - not good.
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,208 Points:841,825 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:43:02 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Investing in electric "cars" is a fast track to bankruptcy. Don't expect taxpayer subsidies to bail you out.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,303 Points:1,367,135 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:37:37 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse With enough solar cell panels and wind turbines, I will have more than enough power for myself and maybe sell some back to the power company too! Planning on installing a ground heat recovery system to prewarm the air for the heat pump or prewarm the water for the gas water heater. Just what are you doing?
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:25:46 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse You'll be lucky to be power your microwave oven and your blow dryer on the amount of solar power you will be able to afford to harness, tomok.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,791 Points:676,170 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:21:03 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse The economy will have to make a big rebound before much will be done with EV's on a large scale.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,303 Points:1,367,135 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:12:12 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse EV’s need a long driving range, a fast recharging, low cost, reliable and lightweight battery. Renewable energy from solar, wind, thermal, tidal, hydro and/or nuclear to help power those vehicles. Solar cells and wind turbines installed on house roofs to charge that EV, help power the house and maybe sell surplus electricity back to the power company. Also solar cells installed on the roof, hood and trunk lid of EV’s to charge the vehicle battery 'on the go' or in parking lots. I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new or different.
Edtx2009 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,295 Points:267,340 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:11:57 PM Ignore Edtx2009 Report Abuse If there are not that many being sold, then yep the investors are hanging on to their money.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:10:06 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Yeah, yeah revON! How many hours of Sun do you get in the Summer? 14? 16? 24?
revON Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,219 Points:643,900 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:08:27 PM Ignore revON Report Abuse Only, if it,s solar.
PissedCanuck Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,818 Points:817,930 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:03:44 PM Ignore PissedCanuck Report Abuse Another greenie bonehead idea that has come and gone faster than skunk stink. Pee yew!!!
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,101 Points:771,250 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:52:31 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Can't afford them, make these vehicles cost effective.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:51:16 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse If electric cars were economically viable, they would be available now. Alas! They are not. Unless you count the golf carts (literally) some folks drive around in my Mother's home town (Green Valley, Arizona).
Patch44 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,758 Points:899,835 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:48:18 PM Ignore Patch44 Report Abuse Only time will tell if this technology will survive and how hih OPEC wants to charge for it's oil.
misterray Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,132 Points:525,040 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:41:26 PM Ignore misterray Report Abuse How are you going to generate the electricity for those cars? Coal? Oil? Hydro? Nuclear?
LGStas Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:322 Points:184,680 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:39:13 PM Ignore LGStas Report Abuse invest invest invest.....i love me some ELECTRIC CAR POWERRRRR
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:1,516 Points:329,620 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:37:53 PM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse Good investment if it is cost effective!
CDT206 Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:346 Points:446,160 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:37:12 PM Ignore CDT206 Report Abuse i do not want an electric car.
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:1,229 Points:844,230 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:34:11 PM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse We need to let the cards of the future fall where they may, but the main thing is to progress and let science take us to NEW HEIGHTS and not second guess them, respectfully Divebomber:)
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,232 Points:487,075 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:33:31 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse Not for me. I drive long distances.
Jo120 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,449 Points:1,311,030 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:28:08 PM Ignore Jo120 Report Abuse Wish they went further and held more than 2 people.
epf Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,590 Points:923,895 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:25:32 PM Ignore epf Report Abuse This is an unproven technology still dependant upon fossil fuel, hello, feels like biofuel all over again.
lembs All-Star Author San Francisco Posts:781 Points:652,045 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:21:26 PM Ignore lembs Report Abuse if they're affordable, then people will buy them.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,162 Points:273,000 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:19:50 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse they know we're still gasoline junkies
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,594 Points:831,820 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:19:24 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse I will wait until a really new battery comes up.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:55:23 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse Key word is "investing".