CNET On Cars - Top 5: Electric cars that are ready for primetime

The best electric cars that are far from pseudo-golf carts. These are ready to roll, from names you trust.

[garygray]

All US houses have 220v, usually for the range and dryer. I was charging off a 40A dryer socket for a while, now I installed the dedicated Tesla 220v charger that pulls up to 100A, although for cost reasons I programmed mine for 70A/220v so I didn't have to upgrade the service to the house. FYI although I have the 85KWHr battery, which will go > 300miles if I keep it to 55mph, I usually charge to the recommended 260mile range unless I'm going really far.

[Raik]

I didn't told you how far to travel, you can go to hell for all I care, if you travel 150 miles to work its uncomfortable and I recommended a new job and by that I mean a closer meaning more comfortable but again you can go walking to work for all I care mate.
I mentioned work because what could be the reason to need a 300 mile range EV? Its like having an V12 engine car in jam, useless and wastefull.

[fernsemer]

I was with you until you got to AC being a mistake in the home.
Although 220v is faster, , I think 110v get's a bad rap. If you've got 10 hours overnight to charge, , that's around 50 miles put back in the car. For most driving needs that's not a bad thing.
It seems to me that with an EV, , you have to plan more carefully. That's what irritates people most. With an ICE you can allow yourself to get a little stupid from time to time. Not so with an EV.

[fernsemer]

The dependable 100+ mile range, , local driving electric car you want is only going to happen when they figure out a 40Kwh battery is needed. Most electrics don't have it.
For a pure electric car for both local & distant range, , it's going to take a 100Kwr battery for a 300+mile range. Tesla came close with their model S.
Trouble is, , batteries are expensive! Even a PHEV which would be cheapest still should have a 20Kwh battery. Most don't! It's a problem.

[Raik]

You don't really need an 220v, you can charge with 110v but 220v is twice as fast, I blame USA and their crappy standarts, Chile got 220v as standart, the entire country... just to mention one of many countries... and FU Edison because of you we have AC when almost EVERY electronic in our homes uses DC, the pc, phone, flat screens, laptops, consoles, that is why we need the huge bulky power adapters

[Alvord]

This review sucks. Tesla has more range because it's simply got 2000 lbs. more battery. Tesla also isn't primetime because you can't just walk into a Tesla dealer and drive off with a Model S. You've got to get on a Tesla wait list. You can just go to a dealer and drive off with a Leaf, iMiev, or Focus EV. 2013 Leaf will also have the faster home charger like the Focus EV. Focus EV lacks the Chademo 100A 30 minute charger like the Leaf and Mitsubishi have.

[garygray]

Hey all EVs are cool... are the Volts compatible with the Tesla Supercharger stations ? we just got our first 2 in FL and they are free. They are 480V/100A DC so I can charge 150mile of range in 20mins, a full charge takes more than 40mins though (a quirk of Lithium cells I think) Now I can drive from Orlando to Miami for free ! (+ the tolls of course)

[garygray]

the volume is always on the bottom right for the passenger, the driver has a little wheel on the steering wheel. I'll take a pic of the virtual tuner and post it on my Google+ page.

[Raik]

Good, I know you don't sleep 8 hours if you can't afford 3 hours without using your car and you need to travel across an state to work otherwise a charge whould suffice no?

[philippek]

i search on the picture on the car and i can only find that it really is a tesla, maybe an old prototype? tinyurl com cwvce3l

[miguel]

what about bio diesel half the price of gas if you make your own and we dont have to go to other countrys starting wars for oil

[Robbie]

@kontar72 the tesla is amazing I had mine over a week now and it kicks every gas cars ass at the lights haha

[garygray]

got my Tesla Model S Performance just before Christmas .... so far its awesome.... goes like a rocket.

[matthewburno]

tesla is planing on making a car under 40k with about 200mile range i think its called bluestar

[noahwilding]

what happened to the apterra 2e? that has better range than all but the tesla and it is $25, 000

[mikego]

Hi bri, #1 is a bit pricey! Don't spend any more time on this....cos it's never going to happen.

[teslawizardvvv]

Mr. Tesla would be proud of the model S while calculating for death rays and giant Tesla coils

[pnutbutrncrackers]

Good, b/c this guy's summary should have just led with "Teslas are for really rich people".

[kkoooookkokokoko]

the Mitsubishi should be off the list and the Tesla Model X should be number 2, first EV SUV

[Eschibeschi]

Brian is back at Top 5 *__* But not at Tech, but at Cars :/ Nice to see that you're back man!