Electric vehicles beat high cost of gasoline - British Columbia Gas Prices

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Electric vehicles beat high cost of gasoline Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Calgary Herald -- John Littauer doesn't sweat the annual summer spike in gas prices. While the rest of us fret about record-high prices at the pumps, Littauer silently whizzes to work in a battery-powered Porsche, immune to the volatility of the global demand for oil. In the past five years, Littauer has not spent one cent on gasoline and virtually nothing on maintenance for his 1972 Porsche 914, other than body work to repair the 36-year-old sports car.
Visit The Calgary Herald for full article

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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 7/2/2008 8:16:16 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Wednesday, July 02, 2008 The Calgary Herald -- John Littauer doesn't sweat the annual summer spike in gas prices. While the rest of us fret about record-high prices at the pumps, Littauer silently whizzes to work in a battery-powered Porsche, immune to the volatility of the global demand for oil. In the past five years, Littauer has not spent one cent on gasoline and virtually nothing on maintenance for his 1972 Porsche 914, other than body work to repair the 36-year-old sports car. Visit The Calgary Herald for full article

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ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,537 Points:929,515 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/18/2008 8:13:44 AM	Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse
	I agree on the bicycle thing dopster. I think it's a crying shame that it's so dangerous to try and ride them any significant distance other than riding trails which are for recreational purposes only. If the planners would only have put in shoulders or widened them a bit in many of the areas people could have another good, environmentally clean transportation alternative for many purposes, such as running errands, going to the store, visiting friends or getting to work, at least for many people. It would have multiple beneficial effects, including reducing pollution, greenhouse gasses, dependence on oil imported from hostile regimes, our federal trade deficit among other things. Lower demand should help ease price pressures, of course, even for those who can't or choose not to use a bicycle for transportation purposes. It is also one of the best aerobic exercises available to us. I think it comes in 2nd place only to cross country skiing, and like skiing is a low impact exercise. At least if you have a relatively safe place to do it. ;)
gohiking Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,229 Points:626,950 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 7/17/2008 11:38:19 PM	Ignore gohiking Report Abuse
	Lies told repeatedly still don't become the truth. 2% emissions from electric cars are 50 times cleaner than gas cars regardless of whether the energy is generated from coal or not. And if 2% seems too high, you can always switch to solar or wind power to power your home and your car. 100% of batteries are recycled now in Western countries, with no negative effects to the environment. The conversion cost of an electric car is only there because of the monopoly of oil companies, car manufacturers, and politicians and is a completely artificial cost that shouldn't be there. Remember that 10 years ago there was the GM EV1, Toyota Rav-4, and Honda electric cars and they didn't have a conversion cost, but when Bush won the White House, his oil buddies didn't want more electric cars on the road and guess what -- They dissapeared. I thank god every day for my electric car!
Gee_NY Sophomore Author Texas Posts:126 Points:193,840 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 7/6/2008 5:10:07 AM	Ignore Gee_NY Report Abuse
	Do we really need college courses? We should have learned from the odd /even days of the 70's.
corgone Sophomore Author Florida Posts:159 Points:21,865 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 3:03:27 PM	Ignore corgone Report Abuse
	When are there going to be college classes on this stuff? Our economy needs a good swift kick in the gut.
john382 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,879 Points:787,720 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 2:42:33 PM	Ignore john382 Report Abuse
	Nice
thomas41546 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,290 Points:707,735 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:41:02 PM	Ignore thomas41546 Report Abuse
	when oil runs out there will be lots of electric cars
dopster Veteran Author Toledo Posts:412 Points:814,730 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:21:15 AM	Ignore dopster Report Abuse
	I agree. Electric cars aren't going to be the be all, end all solution,but part of a move away from oil dependance. Agree with the comment about the lack of accommadation for bicycles, too. No safe place to ride to work, store, etc.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:4,439 Points:986,115 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:20:07 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	Come on, plug-in hybrids.
kidmikey37 Veteran Author Nevada Posts:452 Points:118,680 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:19:09 AM	Ignore kidmikey37 Report Abuse
	gotta get me one of those
knuckels08 Rookie Author Kentucky Posts:79 Points:15,605 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:17:47 AM	Ignore knuckels08 Report Abuse
	must be nice
Masercal Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,081 Points:259,685 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:17:24 AM	Ignore Masercal Report Abuse
	It's a start, but hydrogen needs a serious shot at it too.
mrkel Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,368 Points:731,155 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:15:19 AM	Ignore mrkel Report Abuse
	Combine the electric car with solar or wind power and we can become closer to being self-sufficient and tell the oil producing countries where to stick their over-priced barrels of oil!
buckoMD Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,442 Points:356,820 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:12:10 AM	Ignore buckoMD Report Abuse
	At about 9:02 down below, PaulieFL makes a good point about bicycles. - about the lack of places to ride them safely. It's like that in MD too - there's lots of bike paths, but they go nowhere, and reduce the need for cars exactly 0%. That happened courtesy of the local militant bicycle terrorist group, WABA.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,660 Points:943,815 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:06:09 AM	Ignore bbreff Report Abuse
	old news
bug27 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,548 Points:1,091,300 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:06:05 AM	Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
	Yeah, but an unintended consequence is high cost of electricity. Oops......back to the drawing board.
cudatim All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:582 Points:318,325 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 7:03:57 AM	Ignore cudatim Report Abuse
	What ever floats your boat...
demnuts Champion Author Orlando Posts:5,021 Points:776,895 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:59:05 AM	Ignore demnuts Report Abuse
	that $20,000 for batteries will buy a lot of gas.
Mazdaman7Q Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,338 Points:706,615 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:55:37 AM	Ignore Mazdaman7Q Report Abuse
	What beats the high cost of the electric car?
nd73 Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:338 Points:214,620 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:51:45 AM	Ignore nd73 Report Abuse
	Electric is great! Everyone should own a golf cart.
gohiking Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,229 Points:626,950 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:49:15 AM	Ignore gohiking Report Abuse
	Lies told repeatedly still don't become the truth. 2% emissions from electric cars are 50 times cleaner than gas cars regardless of whether the energy is generated from coal or not. And if 2% seems too high, you can always switch to solar or wind power to power your home and your car. 100% of batteries are recycled now in Western countries, with no negative effects to the environment. The conversion cost of an electric car is only there because of the monopoly of oil companies, car manufacturers, and politicians and is a completely artificial cost that shouldn't be there. Remember that 10 years ago there was the GM EV1, Toyota Rav-4, and Honda electric cars and they didn't have a conversion cost, but when Bush won the White House, his oil buddies didn't want more electric cars on the road and guess what -- They dissapeared. I thank god every day for my electric car! [Edited by: gohiking at 7/4/2008 9:52:02 EST]
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,842 Points:747,035 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:48:02 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	You can buy a Suburban getting 15 mpg that is a few years old and drive it for YEARS and not spend as much as you do on a little electric car that you can't take 50 miles in any one direction. Yes, the gas is expensive, but 15,000 miles will cost $4,000 today. 60,000 will cost you $16,000 and you still have to drive twice that to break even driving something that can not carry 4 people for 100 miles at even 50 mph. Electric is getting there, but still has a long way to go.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,875 Points:1,605,690 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:43:57 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	and where does the electricity come from to charge those batteries?
spunky4443 All-Star Author Washington Posts:736 Points:373,775 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:42:32 AM	Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
	Funny, there was no mention of the price he payed for NEW BATTERIES???????
ILBCNU All-Star Author Michigan Posts:760 Points:289,110 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:41:09 AM	Ignore ILBCNU Report Abuse
	Blah,blah,blah
tazdriver Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,894 Points:488,450 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:40:58 AM	Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse
	Don't count on it, there are other costs to car ownership than gasoline.
CheapoBob Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,018 Points:882,310 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:38:28 AM	Ignore CheapoBob Report Abuse
	ain't thi old
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:1,802 Points:362,925 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:37:30 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	Where does the electricity come from?
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:741 Points:127,775 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:34:18 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	how does one beat the high cost of electric vehicles?
jax1wec Rookie Author Jacksonville Posts:3 Points:385 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:32:45 AM	Ignore jax1wec Report Abuse
	I agree with CJarman, usually only the side that wants to be told is relayed in these doom and gloom stories about how much big oil is depressing the american economy.
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,570 Points:779,240 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:32:11 AM	Ignore amearly Report Abuse
	And yet it uses coal which is worse than oil for green gases.
HockeyLady All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:917 Points:858,980 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:30:24 AM	Ignore HockeyLady Report Abuse
	remember, electric generation takes fuel, too.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,218 Points:1,484,520 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:25:07 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	Amazing the kind of impact a teeny lil excursion to the sands can have eh...
mysub All-Star Author Las Vegas Posts:642 Points:635,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:21:41 AM	Ignore mysub Report Abuse
	Right cableman31. Bush did this to the WHOLE world. Wake up man.
cableman31 Veteran Author New York Posts:352 Points:346,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:20:40 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	The message PaulieFL wrote @ 8:40 AM today hits the nail on the head. Like he said, wake up America, the boy Bush and his cronies still have almost 180 days left. They still can do alot of damage. Lets at least stop it in Nov. We are going to be paying for the Bush boys for a long time. Wake up AMERICA.
CJarman Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:235 Points:245,860 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:20:38 AM	Ignore CJarman Report Abuse
	A $13000 - $16000 conversion is NO SAVINGS at all. Littauer spent WAY MORE than he will save over the rest of the life of that 914. Not a viable alternative, IMO. The problem with this kind of story is that the REAL COST is seldom told. His 914 would normally get around 20MPG (guessing). If he drove 50 miles every 3 days, he could fill up once every 2 weeks. His annual cost for fuel would be around $1250.00. Add in a couple of $20 oil/filter changes and he'd spend around $1300.00 per year on fuel/oil for the car. At $13000 to covert, it would take him 10 years to recoup the cost of conversion -- and that would be the BREAK EVEN point. To actually SAVE any money, he'd have to drive the car more than 10 years. And those calculations don't have any replacement battery costs factored in. [Edited by: CJarman at 7/4/2008 9:25:49 AM EST]
mhoward20 Sophomore Author Virginia Beach Posts:187 Points:39,155 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:18:34 AM	Ignore mhoward20 Report Abuse
	How much did he spend to convert to battery power? Are the batteries going to last forever? Is this just creating another old, dead battery disposal problem for our grandchildren and their grandchildren?
Toppers Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:462 Points:774,775 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:12:15 AM	Ignore Toppers Report Abuse
	Ya think?
AuburnTim All-Star Author Indiana Posts:969 Points:291,840 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 6:02:05 AM	Ignore AuburnTim Report Abuse
	Funny how they blame one political party over another. Come on people its both parties that are at fault for where we are now. This is what we get for letting big business and big money run our political system. Oh yeah don't forget to send your congressman a thank you note!
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,228 Points:784,015 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:58:43 AM	Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse
	Energy costs are rising across the board and will be reflected in electicity as well as gasoline
deanjk Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:286 Points:82,935 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:58:37 AM	Ignore deanjk Report Abuse
	so do bicycles.
4warned All-Star Author Michigan Posts:801 Points:536,340 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:53:17 AM	Ignore 4warned Report Abuse
	The oil situation is making everyone focus on new ways and new energy sources. We have become very complacent and settled in our ways. This is a wake up call.
PFCASTA Sophomore Author Worcester Posts:130 Points:520,800 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:52:39 AM	Ignore PFCASTA Report Abuse
	IF 50 kilometer is about 31 miles and IF it costs $36 to run a fridge for a year, it doesn't sound like it's worth it.
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,198 Points:219,660 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:50:29 AM	Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse
	An alternative
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,725 Points:1,021,165 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:50:22 AM	Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse
	Okay, this guy has not spent one cent on gasoline ... but the conversion to electric cost a cool $12,000 to $15,000! Call this a winner?
no_monkey2002 Veteran Author Tallahassee Posts:498 Points:455,575 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:48:38 AM	Ignore no_monkey2002 Report Abuse
	does his battery recharge itself or does it get it recharge from oil fired generators
Gassie1 Champion Author Akron Posts:3,975 Points:482,510 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:48:25 AM	Ignore Gassie1 Report Abuse
	I think we should put sails on our cars and trucks, if you get a tail wind woopie!
Silverhand Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:11,582 Points:1,921,040 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:47:19 AM	Ignore Silverhand Report Abuse
	Blah, blah, blah. Get a grip.
kbones Rookie Author Illinois Posts:38 Points:4,025 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:45:36 AM	Ignore kbones Report Abuse
	Ingenuity like that is what is going to get us on the right track.Solar,wind,it'll be a hundred little things not one big thing.Oil has been a blessing,it has allowed us to make a huge leap in really only a hundred years.Now were going to have to think and roll up our sleeves.
Cachase1 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,725 Points:670,605 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:42:02 AM	Ignore Cachase1 Report Abuse
	This will be nice until everyone uses them and then the electric companies will be the evil greedy ones.
EXTREMESNOW All-Star Author Oregon Posts:751 Points:226,510 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 7/4/2008 5:40:38 AM	Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse
	HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL YOU OUT THERE! HAVE A SAFE ONE!