What Will Help Sell Electric Cars?

After a decade's worth of inattention, suddenly every automaker is rushing an electric car concept to shows or even directly to market. The Paris Motor Show is full of them, from the wild Venturi Volage to the relatively mild Pininfarina B0. The vast range of prospective electric cars includes both the partially electric Chrysler Minivan and the Tesla Roadster. All seem to have price points and low volumes. What's going to help them sell? Do electric cars need to be shocking or is a jolt of conservatism the better path? Is the pocketbook going to win out over the emotional appeal? What will help sell electric cars?

Undeniably, high gas prices and a movement against foreign-sourced oil are going to continue to be the biggest motivating factors. People can stomach gas above $4.00 a gallon for only so long before their taste for voltage grows. Once people decide they need an electric car they're likely to look for a vehicle that meets their current needs. Practical vehicles like the Joule MPV that offer the utility of that cast-off, petrochemical chugging CUV will provide an outlet for those compelled into dealerships by higher gas prices.

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Send an email to Matt Hardigree, the author of this post, at matt@jalopnik.com.

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