Electric Cars May be Emission-Free, But They're Not Yet Problem-Free

Filed in archive Automobiles on August 12, 2009

BusinessWeek took a close look last week at the problems users may havwe to put up with if they buy BMW's Mini E. While they pick on BMW in the article, the problems aren't unique.

Mike Graham, a Mini E lessee in New Jersey, says his house had the juice for a faster charge, but he still had to pay $1,500 for a new electric panel in his garage. Between that and the $850 a month for two seats (the battery takes up the entire second row of seats) it's not the smartest buy, Graham admits. But he wanted to know what electric cars are all about and loves the lightning-quick acceleration. "There's no way to justify the car," he says. "We're doing it because we have the money and because we want to."

The article looks at the GM Volt, too.


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