B for battery
 

A new MB is on showroom floors.

The NY Times article is overly fixated on the gas, er, accelerator petal, but accordingly, the new MB can get up to 100 miles per charge if the driver is not as fixated.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/automobiles/autoreviews/electric-but-not-bragging-about-it.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

Speaking personally, i'm glad to see a wagon in the battery powered genre of cars.

Absolutely!

Although given the numbers, amount of stop-and-go around town driving and relatively mediocre city fuel mileage; I'm surprised no one offers a hybrid minivan.

^ I had much the same kind of thought about delivery vehicles. i have seen some Smart electric vehicles used by city employees

I don't think that hybrids enjoy a low rate of depreciation, as no one wants to be in the driver's seat when the battery needs to be replaced. Add to that their higher price to purchase, and their ownership cost-per-mile does not trump a good ICE.

^IIRC some vendors are offering free battery replacements for up to 10 years.

BTW what does "ICE" translate to this context?

I was referring to a vehicle powered exclusively by an Internal Combustion Engine.

The 10 year and 150,000 mile battery warranty that comes with all hybrids says otherwise. Not to mention the fact that new hybrids are cheaper to purchase than new diesels.

Neato, but too expensive.

These need to come down more in price to make them more attractive to a larger population.

FWIW - a Fiat 500e can be had for $0 down and $199 a month on a 36 month lease. The state of CA is giving a $2500 rebate if you buy or lease an electric vehicle. Seriously considering grabbing one for my commute.

I'd own an electric for city driving. A little one like a Smartcar size. Heck, a golf cart would work if other drivers wouldn't fpherking crush you.

I too would own an electric for around town driving. Right now I use my 190d for that usually. The payback on a 20k electric vs my 30mpg $2600 190d would be a LONG time however. :eek:

For me cost amounts to almost a coin toss. I could lease a Smart battery operated and it would cost little enough, including electricity and the lease payment, that it would effectively be ~ same cost as fuel for the other cars. That would leave the ICE (thanks for the term PC) based cruisers for when I wanted to transport something. For me transporting stuff is pretty common, and that’s why I like the introduction of a battery powered wagon.

I just wish they would do more with style
 

Toyota Matrix
http://static.cargurus.com/images/si...494329926.jpeg
Mercedes
http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/...superJumbo.jpg

Thanks, didn't know Toyota made a 'lectric wagon..... If it is any indicator of the vehicle capabilities, i do see a lot of their prius the left lane on the hiway :rolleyes:

vvv

That's because the "lectric" Prius is faster than your car.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/con..._phev-0606.jpg

Whenever a Prius blows by me on the highway it always makes me laugh (and cringe at how dangerous it is with their Eco tires and unpredictable handling). The one person I knew who had a Prius always complained about how she only got 25-30 mpg...and then mashed it from every stop.

Properly used I do see the point, I was considering trading my bmw for a hybrid earlier this year but realized I love the car (despite its problems) way too much


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