Texas and Electric Cars (Dallas, Lampasas: oil, stations, commuting)

[Wonderful Jellal]

Originally Posted by LAnative10

Why would they? They have a very profitable operation going as it is. When they do invest in greener, they typically have it as a subsidiary.

Because the oil is not eternal

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by RenaudFR

Because the oil is not eternal

Try telling that to the oil companies down there. For the foreseeable future, we will be able to have some use for it. They can clean up the oil and reduce the stress on the environment, but oil will be here for quite some time.

[turbodiesel4x4]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Whats the average cost to filling that truck from empty.?

I have the smaller tank in mine. I believe 26 gallon. I usually fill up when half empty. It usually takes around $30.00 to $40.00 depending on prices. The last time I filled up on half of tank, it was around $35.00.

[verybadgnome]

The oil lobby is too powerful and the culture that they helped create is too ingrained. I would love to see the end of the $36.5 Billion annual total in subsidies to the oil industry (Obama budget seeks to end oil, gas subsidies | Reuters) and instead put that money into technology that reduces conventional air pollution (like ozone) plus reduce CO2.

I was thinking of getting an electric vehicle but I bike to work and fill my tank up every 3-4 weeks now so the payoff (cost differential between an EV and a normal internal combustion engined car) would probably never happen.

An EV as a second car makes perfect sense as you could still use the conventional cars for long trips.

From the local paper (Statesman):

"Coulomb Technologies Inc. expects to start installing public charging stations in Austin during the third quarter of this year. Austin is one of nine cities slated to receive the stations, which are to be paid for by a federal grant. In addition, Austin Energy expects to start installing public charging stations throughout the city late this year."

[turbodiesel4x4]

Just curious. Are these charging stations free, and if so, is there a possibility that commuters of these EV's eventually be charged for charging their vehicles?

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by 05chevy

Just curious. Are these charging stations free, and if so, is there a possibility that commuters of these EV's eventually be charged for charging their vehicles?

Well, as you know, aint nothing really "free."

Some sites such as employers, and some apartment complexes plan to install them as "benefits," or adders, for sales purposes.

But at the end of the day, it is another sales outlet, with expenses, overhead, maintenance, on and on. Some of the locations are purposed to be like a vending machine, where the site has some mark-up price for the product.

Yunno, you do bring up another point as to whether Scales and Measures folks that check and monitor gas pumps will be involved in regulation of this.

Texas Department of Agriculture

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by dfwcre8tive

I'm planning on purchasing an electric vehicle within the next year. Texas isn't doing as much as other states in terms of infrastructure preparation, but there's still progress being made. The City of Houston has been very active, and charging stations are being installed across the state (check out the map here of current EV charge stations). Reliant and other Texas energy providers are launching energy plans specific to EV owners. In Dallas new apartment complexes have been including EV charge stations as an amenity to residents. As new EVs come on the market we'll see more infrastructure throughout the state, though it may be slow at first (although Texas will be one of the early states to get the Nissan Leaf). While it's not going to impact long-distance travel, the EV is a perfect city car for most commuters. Here is a list of Texas incentives.

Sadly that is a grossly inadequate map. There are numerous public charging stations in Austin Tx that are not shown on that map.

I'm seeing quite a few electric vehicles, cars and scooters in Austin, TX. They are catching on, the City even offers rebates if you buy one.

[turbodiesel4x4]

No thanks. I'll stick with my oil burner.

Signed, Non-PC.

[Sandstorm214]

I'd love to have an electric car for commuting, but I don't think I've seen any charging stations in downtown Dallas. Not to say there aren't any. I may just be looking in the wrong places.

[Houston3]

Originally Posted by RenaudFR

What is the strategy of Texas and Texas cities for the electric cars ? I'm a real supporter of this kind of car, it's the future and it's a great thing to eliminate the dependance to oil !
I know you can have tax credits from Feds (7000$) and in California too (5000$ + 7000$ from feds), but in Texas ? In Houston or Austin ?

Do you think one can make it from Houston Texas to Dumas Texas in 11 hours? If so I might be interested......