Buyers want four-year EV payback for spending the extra money
One in four car buyers is willing to pay a premium for a fuel-efficient powertrain, if the extra cost can be recouped in four years or less, according to Ford research. That discovery has helped Ford develop “a useful blueprint” for rolling out electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and other fuel-efficient tech. Important features include adequate travel range and ease of refueling, said vice-president of powertrain engineering, Joe Bakaj. A vehicle possessing all three attributes is a candidate for volume production and sales, Bakaj said at the Center for Automotive Research’s recent 2012 Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich. Ford charges about $800-$1,200 extra for its “EcoBoost” turbocharged drivetrains, “and consumers are snapping them up.”
If you live too far from a bus stop, a folding electric car such as the Hiroko might get you there. Think of it like a baggage cart at airport or a bike rack where you can pick up/drop off.
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