The state of clean vehicles
For the past decade, I've been wanting a vehicle fueled by clean energy -- low or no emissions. A couple years ago I put together an electric bike: PPSMTU Denshineko.
The electric bike is great for short-range trips, but has next to no cargo capacity and only supports one rider, so I haven't been able to get by without using my car entirely. Now that electric cars are back on the market, this presents a workable alternative. But how do they stack up?
Clean-energy vehicle comparison
Range
Top Speed
Price
Passengers & Cargo
Professional Maintenance?
Electric bike
~15mi on battery + practically unlimited biomechanical
20MPH (by law)
~$1k-3k
1 + tiny cargo
on non-electrical parts
Electric scooter
(EVT Ion 4000-e)
~40mi
30MPH
$3k
2 + small cargo
hard to find
Electric motorcycle
(Zero S, Brammo Empulse)
60-100mi
~70-100MPH
$10k-$14k (or DIY and save)
2 + small cargo
almost nonexistent; specialty
Electric car
(Nissan LEAF)
100mi
90MPH
$33k - $7k tax credit = $26k
5 + roomy cargo (14.5cu ft.)
local shop; dealer for electrical
Plug-in hybrid gas/electric car
(Chevrolet Volt)
40mi + practically unlimited petroleum
100MPH
$40k - $7k tax credit = $33k
4 + some cargo (10 cu ft.)
local shop; dealer for electrical
PHEV conversion
(Toyota Prius+)
50mi + practically unlimited petroleum
72MPH electric mode / 112MPH standard
~$5k (used) + $11k (kit) - $1k tax credit = $15k (or DIY and save)
5 + spacious cargo (21 cu ft.)
local shop; custom job for electrical
Biodiesel/vegetable oil (SVO/WVO) car
practically unlimited vegetable or petroleum
varies
~$3k-$10k+
varies
local shop; some DIY almost mandatory (brewing biodiesel or servicing SVO/WVO kit; sourcing veg. oil)
Right now, a used ~2005 Prius with a Plug-In Supply aftermarket augmentation looks like the best option to me. It's road-tested, cheaper than new, and pretty readily serviceable, without sacrificing spaciousness, efficiency, or range.
Edit: Friends of mine rightly pointed out the large amounts of energy and resources required to produce lithium ion batteries for plug-in hybrid cars (compared with producing vegetable oil), the life expectancy and disposal issues, and the added weight. Of course, there is no silver bullet, but with companies now starting to recycle lithium batteries, I still think the PHEV right now hits the sweet spot between sustainability and accessibility, even though vegetable fuel ultimately seems like the right systemic choice.
The electric bike is great for short-range trips, but has next to no cargo capacity and only supports one rider, so I haven't been able to get by without using my car entirely. Now that electric cars are back on the market, this presents a workable alternative. But how do they stack up?
Clean-energy vehicle comparison
Range
Top Speed
Price
Passengers & Cargo
Professional Maintenance?
Electric bike
~15mi on battery + practically unlimited biomechanical
20MPH (by law)
~$1k-3k
1 + tiny cargo
on non-electrical parts
Electric scooter
(EVT Ion 4000-e)
~40mi
30MPH
$3k
2 + small cargo
hard to find
Electric motorcycle
(Zero S, Brammo Empulse)
60-100mi
~70-100MPH
$10k-$14k (or DIY and save)
2 + small cargo
almost nonexistent; specialty
Electric car
(Nissan LEAF)
100mi
90MPH
$33k - $7k tax credit = $26k
5 + roomy cargo (14.5cu ft.)
local shop; dealer for electrical
Plug-in hybrid gas/electric car
(Chevrolet Volt)
40mi + practically unlimited petroleum
100MPH
$40k - $7k tax credit = $33k
4 + some cargo (10 cu ft.)
local shop; dealer for electrical
PHEV conversion
(Toyota Prius+)
50mi + practically unlimited petroleum
72MPH electric mode / 112MPH standard
~$5k (used) + $11k (kit) - $1k tax credit = $15k (or DIY and save)
5 + spacious cargo (21 cu ft.)
local shop; custom job for electrical
Biodiesel/vegetable oil (SVO/WVO) car
practically unlimited vegetable or petroleum
varies
~$3k-$10k+
varies
local shop; some DIY almost mandatory (brewing biodiesel or servicing SVO/WVO kit; sourcing veg. oil)
Right now, a used ~2005 Prius with a Plug-In Supply aftermarket augmentation looks like the best option to me. It's road-tested, cheaper than new, and pretty readily serviceable, without sacrificing spaciousness, efficiency, or range.
Edit: Friends of mine rightly pointed out the large amounts of energy and resources required to produce lithium ion batteries for plug-in hybrid cars (compared with producing vegetable oil), the life expectancy and disposal issues, and the added weight. Of course, there is no silver bullet, but with companies now starting to recycle lithium batteries, I still think the PHEV right now hits the sweet spot between sustainability and accessibility, even though vegetable fuel ultimately seems like the right systemic choice.