Electric Vehicles Run Out of Juice

Arguably electric cars are the future of the automotive industry. They promise smooth, quiet, pollution-free driving, but are they ready for primetime? If recent news is any indicator, the answer is a resounding “NO!”

Like a battery-powered, four-wheeled Jesus, the electric car has been hailed as the planet’s salvation. Environmental evangelists and eco-loving governments alike are pushing for the widespread adoption of EVs. In the United States automakers are basically forced to build these amped-up autos because of regulations, but don’t think this is only a federal issue. States are throwing their weight around as well… make that state.

Of course the legislation paints a rosy picture in other areas as well. Its creators at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimate that drivers in the state will save a total of $5 billion in 2025. They also estimate it will create 21,000 jobs.

This law has basically forced automakers to spend billions upon billions of dollars developing electric vehicles, which has not been a sound investment, especially in such a fiercely competitive market. To date EVs are a blunder of Edsel proportions; really they’re this century’s automotive white elephant.

For example, Ford’s electric Focus hit on the market last May. In the seven months following its introduction dealers delivered a grand total of 693. For a little perspective, the company sold nearly 246,000 Focuses in the U.S. last year. Electric models amount to a raindrop in the ocean.

Likewise, Honda has been no more successful with its Fit EV. Just 93 were sold in 2012.

Making the situation even more disheartening, electrified Cinquecentos will supposedly sticker for $45,000. That’s about $6,000 greater than the much more sophisticated Chevrolet Volt, which is known as a “range-extended electric” because it features an onboard gasoline engine that allows the car to be driven when the battery is depleted. The prices mentioned above exclude a $7,500 federal tax credit.

SEE ALSO: Chrysler Will Supposedly Lose $10,000 on Every Fiat 500e it Sells

Buyers interested in Ford’s latest electric have until April 1 to take advantage of that substantial discount. Lease pricing is supposedly $285 per month on a 36-month term. Still, that’s a lot of hard-earned buckaroos to shell out for a Focus, a car that starts at about $17,000 for a stripped-down sedan model (including destination and delivery charges).

SEE ALSO: Ford Focus Electric Discounted $10,750

Nissan got in on the discount game late last year when it adjusted pricing of the all-electric Leaf. In an effort to unload leftover 2012s some dealers were allowed to slash $10,000 off the price for lease customers. All told the automaker moved just shy of 10,000 examples last year.

Boosting its versatility, the 2013 model has gained a 14 percent increase in driving range, bringing the total to 83 miles in EPA testing. Engineers were able to deliver the improvement through a 180-pound weight reduction and the implementation of more aggressive regenerative braking. Unfortunately this is just a baby step toward making EVs a useful alternative for people.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Nissan Leaf Gets Longer Range, Lower Price

And that pretty much sums up the problems with today’s electrics. They’re generally too expensive, lack sufficient range and take forever to charge. Additionally, the availability of public recharging stations is far too limited.

SEE ALSO: Toyota Betting on Hybrids, Not EVs

Mainstream electric vehicles have pretty much been a failure, but arguably they make more sense at the premium end of the market. Profit margins on top-dollar vehicles are much higher, meaning Cadillac makes more money selling an XTS than Hyundai does from an Accent.

Audi’s e-tron concepts are a perfect example of electrifying premium vehicles. The luxury brand has been teasing us for years with the idea of a battery-powered performance machine. So far the German company has released several different concepts wearing the name, many of which resemble the magnificent R8 supercar.

But this may just be another automotive bridge too far. Audi executives had planned to launch the R8 e-tron this year, but as of last October it was reported the project had been put on hold and was under review, practically a death sentence in automotive terms.

SEE ALSO: Audi R8 e-tron Might Still See Limited Production

At the end of the day electric vehicles are simply too expensive and too limited for most drivers. Car companies are only offering them because they’ve been forced to by California’s ZEV mandate. Until automakers can increase range and lower prices, electric vehicles will continue to be little more than a footnote at the bottom of sales charts.