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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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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,784 Points:632,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:12:22 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse traindude - yea, and chia "pets" and other junk stuff. At least e-cars are not totally wasted research.
traindude Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,335 Points:785,150 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:49:53 AM Ignore traindude Report Abuse get'em out there. this country once bought pet rocks, so give it a chance
EcoVore Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,124 Points:331,145 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:37:30 AM Ignore EcoVore Report Abuse America's wide expanses favor hybrids & gas vehicles. Electric cars are better in the inner city commutes moreso.
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,135 Points:533,560 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:28:54 AM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse I think its inevitable!
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,286 Points:875,410 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:23:05 AM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse Battery technology has not caught up with the practical use yet. Key word is yet.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:4,111 Points:638,525 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:22:13 AM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse You might as well invest in snake oil. Electric cars are just the latest cure-all for for ails the economy. Might as well buy shares in Bernie Madoff's hedge fund...
JohnLev Champion Author Orange County Posts:5,871 Points:769,930 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:15:04 AM Ignore JohnLev Report Abuse How about a nuclear powered car? Then I wouldn't have to fill up for over 30 years. That would be great. And at this point it probably would cheaper than a Hydrogen car and about as feasible.
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:11,975 Points:1,827,595 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:15:03 AM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse seems good
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:7,691 Points:1,238,160 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:13:51 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse I won't buy one.
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,446 Points:736,320 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:13:29 AM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Doubt that at my age that I will ever buy one. Accelerator pedal might stick... lol
greenfog Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,729 Points:677,425 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:11:25 AM Ignore greenfog Report Abuse electric cars are in the distant future. they have urban run abouts now, small, limited range, long recharge times. any true electric to replace what we have now is years down the road.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,141 Points:722,085 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:09:52 AM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse I don't have enough extension cords to own an 'lectric car.
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:4,289 Points:840,600 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:08:32 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Would not want to drive an electric car
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:467,570 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:08:10 AM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse I don't plan on buying one any day soon.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:8,444 Points:2,243,565 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:06:59 AM Ignore scrounger Report Abuse not going to put any of my money into them
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,240 Points:1,014,765 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 12:04:16 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse It could be a long wait, with one of the major new battery technologies now owned by Chevron. This is according to a PBS documentary on solar panels, etc.
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,149 Points:787,235 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:58:06 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse If the technology for batteries is developed, like that of the computer chip. Then the EV and the hybrid have a chance. The big hold up is the batteries.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:12,833 Points:2,549,155 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:56:48 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse What the electric car has to be capable of to replace a gasoline/diesel car is to meet/beat the gasoline/diesel car on each point that is important to the consumer. For me the car would have to be able to travel 600 miles in a day and be able to be charged overnight or if the range is not at least 600 miles/charge; to be able to be recharged within 15 minutes. The initial price and life cycle costs need to be equivalent. The safety and performance needs to be equivalent.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,544 Points:890,720 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:56:11 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Be ready for a slow rate of return. Go Hydrogen!
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,149 Points:805,955 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:51:14 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Technology often times is spouting of better than imagined results. I'd rather get some dependable data, before I invest in it.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,671 Points:917,950 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:49:36 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse I'll wait until they perfect them before I decide to buy.
Soxxie95 Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:125 Points:130,380 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:36:58 PM Ignore Soxxie95 Report Abuse I'd love too get one eventually but with doing a lot of traveling each summer I think it would be pain
Eichhornchen Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,737 Points:534,865 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:34:25 PM Ignore Eichhornchen Report Abuse Electric cars are the new Pet Rock. Everybody has to have one, but not quite sure why.
NavyStore Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,692 Points:1,188,145 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:32:06 PM Ignore NavyStore Report Abuse I vote the latter, but that's just because people don't want to get stuck with the whole VHS/Betamax mess again.
raleightom All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:765 Points:215,710 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:31:34 PM Ignore raleightom Report Abuse Anyone know why our hybrids and electrics are expensive as all get out in the USA and FORD is marketing electric cars in India for between 4 and 6 thousand bucks. True they are quite small but so is the SMART car that is already on the streets here. Just the same as health care and pharmaceuticals. Do we all have "S U C K E R" labels on us somewhere. I do not understand.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,638 Points:1,360,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:31:24 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse It depends a lot on the local electric grid. Is it more carbon fuel based or renewable/ nuclear? [Edited by: LoneGuy at 3/10/2010 12:31:44 AM EST]
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,335 Points:773,060 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:30:13 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse A true electric car will not depend on batteries. It will use a magnetic generator.
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:11,497 Points:2,244,575 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:29:45 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse The range and recharge times have got to be greatly improved before they will become profitable.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,900 Points:1,006,620 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:24:05 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse We had a golf cart for transportation inside our private community in FL and it was great! BUT the first thing they have to do is improve the batteries - six of them for a two passenger cart!! The problem of charging those batteries is compounded should you need a charge when away from the home. Could require an extra long extension cord but then that becomes a major problem. I just wonder if all that is worth the expense and effort?
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,676 Points:964,585 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:20:37 PM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse So if I'm going on a long trip it's gonna take awhile. Don't think this is for me.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,638 Points:1,360,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:18:30 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse I have a new Malibu from last January of 08 and am wondering what will be for sale when I again am in the market. For now the Malibu is doing well.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:1,537 Points:167,480 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:17:57 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse They should be able to go at least 350 miles on a charge. How long will a charge take? Just think about making a vacation trip!
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,340 Points:663,205 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:17:50 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse The future is Hybrid Diesel or gas and plug in Hybrids(100 MPG) and fuel cell electrics that can fuel at any gas station. Ethanol is a waste of time and money. Better to convert coal to liquid as a new process can do it for about $20 a bbl.....enough fuel for 500+ years
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,595 Points:666,330 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:16:28 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Electric car are not suitable for long distance travel.
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:4,535 Points:1,504,700 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:16:19 PM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse They really need to be made to go farther than 40 miles on one power surge!
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,013 Points:774,360 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:14:14 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Time will tell.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,362 Points:910,405 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:14:10 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse I would need an awfully long cord.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,626 Points:1,384,990 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:08:51 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse It depends how well we improve the grid and can charge the cars and what they will be as an alternative in the future. For me I think the plug in hybrid is the way to go for now. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
rollma2 All-Star Author Montreal Posts:655 Points:155,355 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:06:50 PM Ignore rollma2 Report Abuse not for me
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,132 Points:1,504,315 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:03:13 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Do hope they find their niche...
onegiraffeAL Sophomore Author Alabama Posts:218 Points:87,495 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:57:17 PM Ignore onegiraffeAL Report Abuse The general public will determine how successful electric cars will be.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:4,014 Points:670,570 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:55:11 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse There is definitely a place for electric cars, trucks and delivery vans in the total mix. It may be wrong for you, but who cares. It will fit the bill for many in urban areas with short commutes.
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,730 Points:524,565 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:52:42 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse This technology is coming our way whether we like it or not.
BlackHorse Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,454 Points:618,785 Joined:Dec 2002	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:51:56 PM Ignore BlackHorse Report Abuse and one other reason for Isrial to go electric is less gas stations for terrorest to get fuel for molitov cocktails.
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:42:12 PM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse I really don't care what Forbes tells its investor readers to do or not to do; I intend to buy a Leaf as soon as available.
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:1,871 Points:577,980 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:37:52 PM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse jrsva I had no idea they were made that far back but I have an electric pole saw that I trim all my trees with and it works really well.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,953 Points:636,800 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:35:58 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse KK - I used an electric chain saw in 1954, so they aren't really new, just not very popular.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:16,320 Points:2,098,595 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:33:52 PM Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse Already we are behind in building new electric power plants (govt won't permit new ones). What kind of strain will electric cars put on the power grid?
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,596 Points:798,315 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:32:57 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:1,871 Points:577,980 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:22:04 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.