Why aren't electric cars being aimed at older drivers in rural locations?

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Why aren't electric cars being aimed at older drivers in rural locations?

I no longer drive conventional cars, but I live in the country and much enjoy travelling our lanes on my electric buggy. I am a fairly tough old fella and am not much deterred by the exposure to the elements that my buggy rides involve, but it occurred to me that the car designers/makers are missing an opportunity. There are increasing numbers of older people living in the country who don't drive far or fast and could manage very well with a good electric car, which ought to be much cheaper to make and to run than the conventional combustion engine-driven machines. However I almost never see electric cars down our way. What do you think?

Asked on 9 January 2012 by HQ, Ilminster.

Answered by Honest John

Electric cars are actually much more expensive to make than conventional cars because they are not made in volumes that achieve economies of scale, and the batteries are very expensive indeed. That’s partly why the original Mitsubishi i-MIEV was originally listed at a gobsmacking £38,000. There is, of course, the mass produced Renault Twizy, from £6500 (you rent the batteries), and the forthcoming Renault Zoe from £15,000.

Tags: elderly drivers electric cars

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