There's something about driving our 2009 Mini E that makes you think about the world in a different way. Maybe it's because it's so quiet that you become very aware of all the cars around you idling, revving and otherwise noisily burning gas.
The other day, I drove in the Mini E for the very first time, and as I left the office I was ruminating about the speed with which electric cars may come into the marketplace. I looked in my rear view mirror and lo and behold there was another Mini E right behind me! The woman who was driving it didn't seem anywhere near as amazed as I was to see another electric car so soon. She barely gave me a wave.
My 31 mile commute from Santa Monica to Long Beach takes me through neighborhoods with lots of four-way stop signs. With the aggressive regenerative braking I found that the accelerator pedal is actually a speed Lever. Press down to go, release to slow down. I found I could drive for long periods of time without even touching the brake.
Once at home, I had to take each of my family members for a ride telling them that this was a historic moment: their first ride an electric car which will be a large part of their futures. By the time I left the next morning for work, my distance gauge showed that I only had 39 miles remaining for the 31 mile trip. It was kind of scary but since the gauge proved nearly accurate I pulled into the garage with a 7 miles remaining.
Lesson one: driving electric cars requires advance planning.
carguy622 says:
07:35 AM, 11/ 4/09
The Mini E's owner's manual pretty much explains that the gas pedal works like a speed level, kind of like a bumper car.
jeepsrt says:
07:42 AM, 11/ 4/09
I wouldn't mind driving an electric car to and from work, and have my fun cars for all the other times. Here in Colorado we routinely get blizzards and I don't think they would do too good in 8-10 inches of snow. I would like to know how this car does in very cold temps and if it has an affect on battery charge.
hybris says:
07:46 AM, 11/ 4/09
At my stage of life I just can't justify a electric car because it lacks the flexibility of any gas or diesel power car and when you are on a tight budget you don't time to switch to another car if you are so lucky as to have one.
altimadude00 says:
08:11 AM, 11/ 4/09
Um, who wrote this? There is no author given.
"Lesson one: driving electric cars requires advance planning."
Lesson one should be: driving electric cars requires advanced thinking and adjusted mindset on driving.
As exemplified by (I think it was Donna that had it for a week), having a pure electric car as your only car forces you to think differently about how far you can go, if what you need is within that distance, and how long it takes for the car to recharge from that point for you to use it again.
The Jetson's moment will subside into bouts of frustration.
the_big_al says:
09:38 AM, 11/ 4/09
And to make up for your noise-less electric vehicle, you have then ultimate in indulgence right in front of you... the Overwrought SUV with honkin V8 and dual exhaust pipes. Probably has 22"'s as well.
Oh wait - it's not an Escalade so it's not the ULTIMATE, but it's trying! :D
the_big_al says:
09:41 AM, 11/ 4/09
I think what may end up happening if we go to all electric cars in the future is that we will all be relegated to short trips and that the public transit system will have to really be beefed up. High speed trains could be used to transport you long distances and you could still use air travel for cross country or cross ocean trips.
But a road trip cross country in an electric car and exploring the back country roads?? Probably not gonna happen.
lvranger says:
10:01 AM, 11/ 4/09
That Taco's bumper looks like its about to fall in the street.
nomercy346 says:
10:14 AM, 11/ 4/09
That's what makes the Volt better than electric-only cars. You want to take a longer trip? Just keep on driving. Even with a short trip and long trip car you will have to choose which one you take and once you chose the electric one you won't be able to spontaneously go to some place that is not within the range. To me that's a major inconvenience.
on a side note: The rear bumper on that Tacoma apparently rusted off during the morning commute... He will be lucky to make it home before the rest of the truck collapses or the engine fills up with sludge.
cartester16 says:
10:29 AM, 11/ 4/09
ahhh, kids, here is your future...not knowing if you'll make it to work, and being stuck in your hometown forever...nice.
cr_driver says:
10:40 AM, 11/ 4/09
Yeah, what is it with the taco´s bumper? LOL
Disgusting maintenance.
jackson611 says:
12:07 PM, 11/ 4/09
forgot to blur the tahoe's license plate.
also, @ the_big_al:
it would be the ultimate Tahoe if the owners had taken the 'Ta' off, as i have seen with multiple ones around town.
bimmerjay says:
12:34 PM, 11/ 4/09
"Um, who wrote this? There is no author given."
Philip Reed did - it's at the top of the post.
That Tahoe's registration expired back in Jun 2009!
altimadude00 says:
12:40 PM, 11/ 4/09
Thanks bimmerjay, I'm used to seeing it at the end of the article and missed it.
jeevsdew says:
03:27 PM, 11/ 4/09
Full Electric Cars are a long ways away (2050+), with plenty of petroleum reserves around the world it'll be a while. Natural Gas is the most viable source of energy for future cars. This is because of vast quantities of natural gas within the US alone, not to mention around the world. Natural Gas also burns a lot cleaner, and contrary to popular belief they are safer. Many buses already run on compressed natural gas.
hybris says:
09:04 AM, 11/ 5/09
The Taco definitely suffered from someone thinking its a half-ton pick up.