Tell me the what was the mass produced hybrid sold all over the country before Toyota & Honda came out with their's? It isn't just the idea of something. It's producing a dependable enough product to be driven every day.
The first mass produced hybrid was made by the Lohner Coach Factory in 1901 and built by Ferdinand Porsche (whose son created the Porsche auto company). The second mass produced hybrid was made in 1915 by Chicago based Woods Motor Vehicle Company. The car named "Dual Power" had a four-cylinder ICE and an electric motor. Below 15 mph (25 km/h) the electric motor alone drove the vehicle, drawing power from a battery pack, and above this speed the "main" engine cut in to take the car up to its 35 mph (55 km/h) top speed. Sounds strikingly familiar? Like right out of a Toyota hand book eh?
The Tesla is just an example of a sleek sporty electric car that is a sign of things to come. It has tons of orders already in the bank. Like I said all this technology is in the Model T stage but they are already working on stylish design as in the Tesla. Much is on the way! These alternative cars will continue to improve just like the hybrids are. They will have longer charge lives, quicker charging, and come in a variety of sizes. A retired guy at one of my properties owns one of those small "clown" electric cars and he absolutely LOVES IT! He only travels around town anyway and it costs him virtually nothing in day to day operating costs. So I know first hand that some people have already found a nitch for this type car in it's early stages.
I would be interested in talking with said person. I know of another that has the electric clown town car too. There was a dealership near here, but it closed.
After working it out mathematically. 30 Kwh a day is national average power usage of an American household. The car by itself will use about 30 Kwh a day. So one could expect their electric bill to double. Also, in many areas, not all, using less than 50 Kwh a day qualifies one for a discount electrical rate. Getting this car would take you above that rate, so for many the electric bill would more than double.
Despite all this, one of these cars would save at least 1/2 off your gasoline bill easy.
However, that will quickly disappear if electric cars catch on. In case you missed it, the same political morons that have screwed up oil production and refinement in the US, have also screwed up electrical production. Electrical prices across the country are shooting up as well. The ability to make power plants is incredibly hard due to government regulations and controls. Plus, obviously if the power consumption across the entire nation doubles in average households... our power generation, distribution and maintenance would all have to be vastly upgraded. All of which are currently hindered by government regulations restrictions and controls... again, same complete fools, you voted in, who are screwing up oil for us.
But let me say something again for the first time... I am not against electric cars, hybrid cars, midget cars or 2 seater sporty cars that only the rich can afford. I am
for choice. If you want a hybrid, cool, get one. If you want a dumb looking electric clown car, cool, go for it. I am
for you getting whatever car you so desire to get. My problem is when you force your choice in cars on me, by taking away my right to choose a gas guzzling Ford Excursion if I decide that is what I want. If I want a V12 Lamborghini roadster at 12 MPG, I should have that right. It's called freedom, that thing socialists hate.
You're talking about your 82 Buick again... 
Because it's a valid point. You claim the greatness of the Tesla. Yet my Buick, old as it is, can do far more, and be far more useful than the Tesla.
And yet again I'm telling you it's a concept of a sleek stylish sporty car that is coming on line. It may not be the "great car" but it's cars like this that lead to the great cars. A Model T wasn't a Corvette either.
A car can not be 'great' if no one can afford it. The key factor of the Model T was that it allowed anyone to afford it.
You've got me. Oil is cheap... gas is cheap... heck tomorrow they'll be giving it away. They're saying that $126 a barrel will probably get to $200 a barrel but my heads in the sand with yours... not LoL!!!
Don't be stupid. Of course gas will increase in cost. The complete idiots, that people of your view point voted for, are continuing to force us to import oil, which undoubtedly will increase the cost of fuel. As long as you "head in the sand" fools, keep preventing drilling and exploration of oil, the cost will always continue to rise. As long as idiots support morons that keep passing legislation that cost the oil companies money, the price will rise. I have no doubt we will be paying $12/gal in just a few years at best, as long as people like you keep your head shoved so far up your politics you can't see how things really are.
Btw, latest resale numbers indicate used hybrids sell badly. As in, the Insight has a horrible reputation, and the Hybrid Camry is selling for exactly the same as a regular Camry even though the original price is much higher. So not only will you never save enough gas to justify the additional cost, but when you resell, it will bring in the same as others $6K cheaper.
