How long do you think it will be before electric cars become good enought for general acceptance?

a looongggg time

I reckon about 5-10 years away from a recognised solution to the heavy battery low range problem. We can build very light cars and we can build powerful batteries but we cannot build lightweight long life batteries with the right capacity. I agree that a 200 mile range is what will really turn people on the battery power. Nissan is planning to build a lithium ion battery plant in Sunderland and to build an all new electric car. However, this will still be a niche product

How and when to this question. This has been in the pipeline for at least 25years so not a new product or concept but when does it become a reality? Is there going to be mony in it for the manufacturers if not then why would they want to waste thier time, resourse and money! The car needs speed, power and distance from a battery car, is the battery going to be big and heavy? and costly, what will power the enegy source, nuclear form power stations. What about hydrogen cars? If it were possible, it would be done by now, like i say, had at least 25yrs of this so that we can get away from lying on the middle east for oil.

Hydrogen is the way forward. Electrically driven vehicles not only are harmful to the environment in the use of electricity, (the production of which is polluting), but the actual manufacturing and, in the end, the disposal of the batteries is harmful.

Wasn't the electric car alive and well back in the 80's before the car and oil companies shut it down (Have you seen the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?") That is a great movie to watch and realize that we were so close to having the electric car become a reality. Now with all the politics going on between the left and the right, I don't think this will happen for another 5 years at least. GM has the "Volt" coming out end of 2010 and Nissan has the "Leaf" but I don't think their battery power will suit the general population. Only when the batteries are made to hold more life, weigh less, and give more speed, will the general population shift into buying electric cars.

It will take a long time to get an Electric Car on the roads.

About the same length of time it will take to go back to horses and/or wagons for long distance travel.

Only when the electricity for charging electric vehicles does not cause pollution i.e.where the power stations are situated. (Hydrogen is better? Hmmm. Nothing explosive is needed). The way forward is to create the energy for FREE, safely... we should stop using aluminium for bodies (due to environmental concerns / costs) (and safety issues), and concentrate on super-strong, durable composites... using LIGHT weight everything, getting rid of tyres / heavy chassis / engine / fuel... and look at ways of achieving lift / hover... just off the ground - when we can do that with stability, we can work on the next generation... So keep these simple principles firmly in mind: 1. SAFE 2. CLEAN 3. FREE / very low cost 4. 100% recyclable. Then we'll be laughing.

The Hydrogen design seems better than an All-electric automobile.. === The Hybrid works nicely..I rented a Prius and drove it for a long way..its a very nice car..speed-accelleration-cornering and comfort.. === An all-electric car is most likely lost right now in its Patent Rights.. I personally can see a design in my own experiance.. In alot of realities its all about replacement parts..the Supply Chain../ === I think the all-electric car has a good personality for "killing" shady car repair..by useing integrated design and uni-Body Construction.. === There are terrains that will not accept an all-electric car..but the Hydrogen Fueled car seems better.. === General Acceptance..seems a wrong interpretation.. ..it might be all about having your All-Electric Car..and a Hybrid.. The idea of alternative fuels would serve that family..need.