The Issue: Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to increase the number of charging stations for electric cars.
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Robert Bryce has a clear view of the future, as opposed to a century ago, when Thomas Edison gave up on electric vehicles because of the limitations of contemporary battery technology (“A Mayor Unplugged From Reality,” PostOpinion, Feb. 18).
Battery technology has since advanced, and EV manufacturers and the government offer incentives and tax credits that make them much more affordable than Bryce would have one believe.
EVs are cheaper to drive, as electricity costs less per mile than gasoline. The difference will increase as petroleum supplies are exhausted.
Mayor Bloomberg is wise to build an EV infrastructure for New York ahead of growing demand. Why not begin now to change our thinking — and driving?
Charles Galvin Jr.
San Francisco
EVs will likely become cheaper than gasoline cars by 2016, due to the annual 16 percent price decrease in batteries.
New York City might be the first city in the world, to take that challenge. It is both economical, future-sighted and not very expensive.
In fact, electricity outlets are much more common in the United States than gasoline pumps and their average cost for installation is very low.
The mayor is more realistic on this issue than Bryce can imagine.
Lars Thomsen
Ehrlenbach, Switzerland
Bryce ignores the recent success of EVs and underestimates the potential economic boost a new EV charging network could have on New York City.
Market data shows that sales of plug-in vehicles grew 73 percent in the United States during 2012. As more Americans adopt the use of plug-in vehicles, investing in infrastructure is crucial to supporting new technologies, especially ones aimed at diversifying energy sources.
Bryce points to government investment in EVs as dubious, ignoring the fact that $630 billion has been spent by taxpayers to fund fossil-fuel development and infrastructure during the past century.
Price tags on EVs are declining due to increased efficiency in battery technology.
Maintenance costs for EVs are about 50 percent less expensive than for gasoline vehicles.
In addition, if gasoline prices remain stubbornly high, EVs will soon be less expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles.
In terms of energy and local, regional and global environmental security, EVs are already a better deal. Dennis V. McGinn
President and CEO
American Council on
Renewable Energy
Washington, D.C.