Get serious?!
If VW was serious, this wouldn't be a great PR move considering electric cars mean improved efficiency, less spares and repairs, less fueling stations and ultimately less revenue for the wasteful services around the current automotive industry. There's a reason America killed the electric car in California 10 years ago (go watch the movie). Toyota have had a DPS for the Prius (hybrid) in the National Geographic since I was a kid, but I don't see any on the streets.
It's a nice environmental PR move, VW. But that's about it.
Ultimately, a move to more efficient vehicles has to come from manufacturers outside of the current industry, who don't have anything to lose by making a more efficient product. If the new competitor can weather a pricing storm and the government doesn't give in to the pressures of traditional vehicle manufacturers, we might be in for a chance. Hopefully these smaller companies will be looking to make their cars cheaper and not on par with their combustion-based competitors. I don't think relying on the conscience of mankind is going to do much when it's cheaper to burn petrol and screw the planet. How good is an electric car for the planet when you're burning coal and enriched uranium to power it? Especially when electricity is getting more expensive and oil can drop its price. Let's not talk about renewable energy, hydrogen and bio-fuel: a nuclear powered electric car is probably the most environmentally friendly, financially feasible option right now.
The Cape Town based electric car company,
Optimal Energy seems to be doing a fair job at putting their money where their mouth is.
Their first model to market, "the Joule", will become available in 2011 and will cost R200k.
The electric battery will last for max 10 years and is subject to a monthly rental of R1.5k (including estimated electricity costs).
Top speed 130km/h, 0-100 in 14 seconds.
Max range 200km on a single battery (I can't see a lot of people paying and additional R1.5k per month for an additional battery).
Charging time: 7 hours empty to full.
Simpler gearbox and transmission means servicing and parts will work out to approximately half the cost of a comparative combustion engine vehicle.
Plans for commercial vehicles in future.
Given current economies of scale, it's going to be quite a while before electric cars are feasible, both cost and environment wise. I fear the environment is going to have to get much worse before people start changing en masse. And government is going to have to be willing to sacrifice short term popularity for long term benefits (jobs vs environment).
VW can launch their car for magazines in 2013, hopefully SA will have something you can actually buy, drive and recharge in 2011
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