THE EV AND THE CARBUYER

Electric-Car Shoppers: Get Ready To Be Tested
Joanthan Welsh, April 30, 2010 (Wall Street Journal)

"Buying a car has gotten complicated for people considering electric vehicles. Instead of asking themselves if they can afford it, or what color suits them, prospective buyers are wondering, “Can I pass the test?”

"Car makers rolling out electric cars, including BMW, Chevrolet and Nissan, aren’t just handing them over to anyone…[C]ar companies say they want to make sure they find the right kind of buyers. There will be questionnaires and interviews. It gets personal…your driving habits…a garage, the right kind of electrical service and a fair bit of patience."

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"Nissan says it wants to make sure people buying its new Leaf sedan have driving routines that suit the car’s capabilities, plus enough power to charge it…[Y]ou may have to call an electrician. Chevrolet…[may talk] some buyers out of its electric Volt and into something more conventional. The company wants people who buy the Volt to be able to make the most of its 40-mile battery-powered range.

"…[BMW says people] might not be ready for the demands of electric cars. People who want one of BMW’s electric 1-Series coupes will be able to charge it using a standard 110-volt household outlet, but it will take up to 24 hours. A special charger can do it in four to six hours, but you’ll need a heavy-duty circuit for that. You may have to rewire your house before getting an electric car."