For some, it is thought that if we do away with drilling for oil, it won’t effect the the Electric Vehicles. I can’t imagine anyone falling for that, but it just ain’t so. Windmills and solar batteries have their limits.

The only thing more elusive than the EV is the perpetual motion machine. Even with the perpetual motion machine, if possible, it will still run down as power is removed from it.

Let’s look at some of the advantages of the EV, ignoring it’s one big problem.

The EV very reliable. The electric motor has one moving part which is suspended on two bearings of some kind. As near as I can tell, there is no reason an electric motor shouldn’t last a hundred years, assuming the bearings are replaced regularly.

It’s efficient. Not only does the electric motor convert most of the electricity to energy, but some can be recovered while coming to a stop or while going downhill. While not in motion, it uses no power at all other than to run the computer and cabin environmental system. You turn off the heating and cooling, the power is just almost negligible.

They are quiet, to the chagrin of many teens that think a car should make more noise than a truck. That might seem to be a small thing until you have to live next to a six lane interstate.

Disregarding the power source, an electric motor uses very little space. The one in my car isn’t much bigger than a 5hp lawn mower engine. They are also much lighter than an internal combustion engine. Of course, these two advantages are quickly negated with the size and weight of batteries. If we could just cut their size and weight down to that of flashlight batteries.

It would be even better if we could decrease the price down to that of flashlight batteries too. I’ve been checking on the price to replace the batteries in my car. I hope that never happens. As near as I can tell, it is more than ten grand, plus labor. One offset, the batteries can be sold to companies that make use of the life still in them. They can be used for up to an additional 5 or 6 years.

Electric cars are clean. Most internal combustion engines are a far cry from the old car that used a quart of oil a month and oozed grease anywhere and everywhere around the motor or undercarriage. However, they still do use oil and they still get dirty. The only dirt on my EV is what it picks up is from the road. It does not require any oil changes. Most of the regular maintenance has to do with the suspension and steering system. I guess, once a year I’ll go to one of those places that cleans car undercarriages. Wait a minute. I’m already behind. I’ve had the car a year. Guess I need to get busy and start looking for one.

It would appear that the truly wonderful car would be the one that has all the advantages of EVs while none of the disadvantages. I don’t think that will ever happen. However, they are a lot closer today than they were 30 years ago. Maybe another 40 years and most will be driving EVs. The trick of course is coming up with a way of generating all that power and delivering it to the cars.