Electric cars that can go exurban distances

Electric cars are usually advertised as great for urbanites or first-ring suburbanites who can make all of their daily driving trips in the lower range of miles these cars offer in a single charge.

But for Baldwin's residents, who need to travel more than 50 miles to reach downtown Minneapolis, even the high-range Nissan Leaf with its full-charge distance of 100 miles isn't an attractive option.

There are at least two options currently in the production process that can go exurban distances -- the Chevy Volt, with a late 2010 release date, and the Tesla Model S, with a 2012 release date.

While the 4-door, 4-seat Chevy Volt was advertised as a fully electric car until recently, it is actually somewhat of a hybrid. Its motor is completely electric, but it also has the capability of converting gas (stored in one of the two gasoline or E85 compliant tanks) to electric power to run the vehicle. While the Volt can only go 40 miles on a full electric charge, this gas-conversion system allows it to travel an additional 300 miles before needing another charge or more gas.

Running the electric Volt on gasoline is obviously not the most efficient way to use the vehicle, but if it is driven this way it will get around 50 mpg. Calculating the over-all fuel efficiency of the vehicle can be tricky, because as long as the vehicle has been charged, its first 40 miles will use no gasoline at all. Therefore, in a 55-mile trip to Minneapolis from Baldwin Township, the Volt would be using gasoline for only 15 of those miles.

If the car is being used as a commuter car and the employee has the option to charge the car at work, the return trip will also allow 40 miles with no gasoline use. If the commuter can't charge the vehicle, he or she will use about one gallon of gas on the way home.

Charging the Volt takes up to 10 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet, or about 4 hours with a 240-volt supply.

Obviously the electricity to charge the Volt isn't free, but Chevy estimates charging the Volt to go 40 miles a day will cost about $1.50.

The flexibility to not charge an electric vehicle is huge for exurban residents who likely travel long distances. Without that option, or higher ranges for electric cars, these vehicle types just aren't a feasible option.

The Tesla Model S is a fully electric car with no gas tank of any kind. Its base-model battery will allow it to travel an average of 160 miles per charge, but it will offer additional battery options that allow it travel 230 or 300 miles on a single charge.

They haven't released estimated charge times with a 120-volt outlet, but they plan to offer a 45 minute quick charge option.

The Tesla Model S tackles the issue of passenger capacity in a way other electric cars haven't. It offers seating for five adults and two children with rear-facing jump seats in the back of the vehicle.

But in the end, is longer traveling distance and more capacity enough to tempt exurbanites to spend the estimated $49,900 for the Tesla Model S or $33,500 for the Volt (both prices reflect a federal tax credit of $7,500)?

Would you consider an electric vehicle for your travel out of the exurbs?

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