When will the big car companies make electric cars?

[VegasMatt]

So far, major car companies seem unwilling or unable to manufacture 100% electric cars. While they have been dragging their feet, small companies like Tesla, Pheonix, and Zap have shown that electric cars are not only possible, but can potentially be viable, practical, and somewhat affordable alternatives to gas engine cars. Here are some examples:Tesla Roadster -- 2 seat sports car, 248hp, 0-60 4.0 seconds, 210 mile range, $98,000.Zap-X -- 5 passenger SUV, 644hp, 0-60 4.8 seconds, 350 miles range, 10 minute recharge, approx $60,000.Pheonix SUT -- sport utility truck, 90 MPH top speed, 0-60 10 seconds, 100 mile range, 10 minute recharge, price TBA.The Tesla will be available this year, the other 2 could be available as early as next year. As you can see, it is entirely possible to build an all electric car that will serve the needs of 95% of the population. So why don't the big companies follow these small ones?Why do they continue to put out wimpy, inefficient hybrids instead?FYI, Obviously these cars are fairly expensive. But keep in mind, these cars are low volume and hand made. The exact same cars on GM's assembly lines would cost half as much. http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com/http://www.teslamotors.com/http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-xhttp://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-alias

[SunmiL]

because if everyone had an electric car no one woud want to buy petrol. and the petrol people would be out of jobs.also there are probably Financial Disadvantage profits for them if it were to benifit everyone.

[iyera]

The big car companies will make electric cars when petrol dries off

[Steve]

its all about how much they can make. if they can make and sell more cars then the prices come down. when demand goes up the cars will show up.

[blondie]

I seriously suggest that you watch the documentary film "Who killed the electric car?". Its an eye opener. Apparently, I think in the 90's or possibly the late 80's, the larger car companies in America did actually produce electric cars. However they were not sold to the general public but rented. These large companies and a few political persons eventually took back all electric cars and scrapped them as they were not making any money from them. The oil industry was also involved.These cars were battery run and could have their battery exchanged or recharged at garages and were plugged in at night to recharge. It was predicted that air pollution in some cities would drop by almost 2 thirds. Pretty impressive!

[greyback1142]

When the petrol dries up big car companies will produce electric car.