This is expected. Knowing that a lot of people are looking transport alternatives due to the global economic crisis. Not only does electric cars help save money, it also helps in saving the environment. comfortzoner

The Miles XS500 is a vehicle that I have anxiously awaited.  However,I have to say that I am fairly disappointed.  The XS500 was originally promised for late 2008 at a price of around $30,000.  After several announced delays and projected price increases, it is now projected to be released in early 2010 at a price between $40,000 and $45,000, . "depending on options".  When those options include items like air conditioning, you can bet that the price of a reasonably equipped XS500 will be very near to $45,000. That represents a 50% increase over the original projected XS500 price. Even with a likely $7,500 tax break, that still leaves a car that will cost $37,500.

Miles originally set out to produce a highway EV that would be affordable by the general public.  Well, $37,500 is well out of my price range.  I would also bet that very few people in the "general public" are currently driving around in cars, whose price was in that range.

Is the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan the one on the photo? looks awesome..The simmering effect on the left headlight really caught my attension..really looks cool..

First, let me say that this is, in my opinion, the best site for news on EV's and related stories.  It is the ONLY site I pay for access to.

Second, I would have added Aptera to the list of EV makers coming out with cars in 2009.  They are the one I'm most looking forward to right now.  If they were selling them in Texas next year, I'd buy one.

Third, I would have also mentioned Zap's new Alias.  Yes, I know many people consider Zap a joke, or a scam, but they still deserve some credit as one of the few companies shipping EVs in America (the Xebra), and they are a publicly traded company (and therefore are subject to much more scrutiny than any privately owned company).  They may not ever deliver a highway capable EV, but I think they have a better chance than some of companies mentioned.

Finally, to Mike Oudin:  How do you equate increased snow fall with evidence that Global Warming is not happening?  They have nothing to do with each other.  Increased snowfall means increased precipitation, not colder weather.

If you've ever lived anywhere really cold, you'd know that you usually get a lot more snowfall when the temperature is higher (like in the 20's, F) than you do when it's really cold (like when it's below zero, F).

Personally, I prefer the term Global Climate Change.  It's more descriptive.  The average global temperature IS rising (that's a scientific fact), but locally you may not see higher temperatures.  In fact, here in Central Texas, we've been seeing cooler summers recently because we're getting more rainfall.  But average GLOBAL temperatures are still rising.

BTW, I visited the Glacier National Park (in Canada) about 10 years ago.  Even then, it was very obvious that Global Warming was happening.  You could look at pictures of the glaciers taken yearly and see them declining rapidly over the previous 20 years.  I think at that point they were predicting the Glacier would be gone by 2050, but I guess the melting has accelerated along with the increasing temperatures.

Mr Oudin, reagrding GW, a recent study of Glacier Natinal Park shows that the park will have zero glaciers by 2030 at the current melt rate. These glaciers have been around for thousands of years and suddenly, within a century, they will disappear. Please show me any natural phenomena that is now taking place that can cause this melting. If humans do not stop using ICEs, and other devices for burning buried hydrocarbons, the planet not be able to sustain most mammal life and that is all there is to it.
Posted by: John Boyd

Posted by: Chris O

Posted by: mike oudin

I agree with Chris O. He does seem to have a good handle on what is going on in the world. EV's require major Congresional policy action

Having worked at GM on the EV1, left GM and have continued to develop my own EV company, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation out there. It still remains the batteries stupid! Li batteries will be the holy grail for EV's but they will not happen overnight. Most of the companies promising Li batteries tomorrow do not understand the difficulty and time required to fully test the battery pack systems. (Watch GM lease the Volt's batteries above the $40,000 price) Toyota does and that is why they are playing their cards very close to their chest. I fear for Tesla who picked the wrong battery chemistry technology and will eventually go bankrupt trying to make their customer's packs right, if not the whole vehicle.

But the point of my comments are to addres the Year of the EV...what else needs to happen in Washington to set policy on the right path? Will the politicans in DC walk their talk? Here is my list (and remember I am an EV enthusiast!) What Congress and the President must do:

1. The country needs an immediate $2 per gallon gas tax with the policy to increase the tax 50 cents each year for 6 years.

2. Congress needs to implement trade policy that levels the playing field with all nations we trade with.

3. Congress needs to implement economic stimulus plans based on buying American made products.

4. Congress needs to carefully look at all the issues American business faces setting up manufacturing in this country, streamline them, encourage them and help make it easier.

5. Congress needs to set energy policy that directly includes the American consumer in both the costs of a better environmental and a sustainable energy future.

6. Congress needs to put in place “tough love” for alternative energy by using a carbon tax on oil, coal or natural gas used in electricity generation. Make today’s alternative energy solutions, lower cost than status quo.

7. Congress needs to put in policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Switch the nation to E25 (gasoline that is 25% ethanol) as the standard gas available. This results immediately on a path to reduce imported oil by 25%. The ethanol must be second generation ethanol, cellulosic ethanol.

8. Electric vehicles are going to happen in the US & in the World; we must not trade importing oil for importing batteries. Congress must put in place a major policy decisions to manufacture batteries in this country.

For more description visit

http://EcoVElectric.blogspot.com

Let's be clear about a couple matters here, folks.

(1) This article was originally written in late August 2008, before the economy went into the tank. By agreement with Mother Earth News, I could not publish it until after their print version came out. Obviously, things have changed dramatically since this article was written, especially with respect to some of the more thinly capitalized companies.

(2) As for my comments about advertising, when I started EV World in 1998, I had two choices about how to organize it. I could try the not-for-profit route and try to rely on grants or I could try to make it as a commercial enterprise -- meaning I'd have to rely on subscriptions and advertiser support. I chose the later. Does that mean I am compromised or uncritical in my views? Is Road and Track, Car and Driver, Automobile, National Geographic, Mother Earth News or Time because they accept advertising and hope to make a profit in the process?

Would I like to see EV World make lots of money? Of course. Wouldn't you? Think what EV World could be if we had more than one guy -- me -- working for nickels and dimes 12+ hours a day, seven days a week to create content and maintain the site.

By comparison, I was once told that AutoblogGreen, a popular green car site, has/had a monthly budget for $13,000 for freelancers alone. Is it any wonder they are as popular as they are? Anyone complaining about their ads or their objectivity?

Yet it seems everyone wants us to work for free, while complaining about the Google ads or when we -- for the first time in five years -- conduct a reader survey.

We live in a capitalist system and I am glad for it. It offers opportunities many of us would never have, otherwise. We succeed or fail on our merit and not patronage or subsidies.

So, JP... give me a break. EV World's mission is to PROMOTE EV technology and therefore we are less than objective about it because we see it as the only way forward for our generation and those to follow. That's the bias we bring to this subject.

To all... here's wishing all a Greener New Year.

Posted by: Bill Moore

Posted by: Chris O

 I believe electric vehicles are the natural evolution of the automobile. Not because of scare-mongering about g/w, but because of the inherent efficiency of the electric motor.  The companies need to get out of the mindset that the consumer wants 40 miles per charge/ 40 mph. I would buy a Tesla now, if i could afford it, and if it was a bit more conservative looking.  btw, follow the money on the global warming scam. I believe GNP had record snowfalls this year. that study is quite old.  Posted by: mike oudin

 Google "Comments on Global Warming by John Coleman"   Creator of the Weather Channel. He is suing Al Gore. Electric Vehicles will arrive on their own merits, not because of catastrophic hype, and the promise of free money to save us all. You can believe all the polititians if you want, I'm not that gullible.