But it almost doesn't matter whether a standard is set or not. The stations will be of little use unless charging can be done nearly instantly. It now takes three hours or more to fully charge a nearly depleted EV1, and six hours or more to fill up the Honda or Toyota. Limp-home mode is a small comfort, but it's not enough to put one's insecurities completely to rest. There are few charging stations.
Cold winters shorten the range of some batteries.
Aside from dedicated environmentalists, the public has been slow to embrace electric cars, given their comparatively high prices and short leashes. Yet a New York state law requires seven major auto makers to sell a total of 7,800 zero-emission cars in the current model year. The law is being challenged in court, and hardly anyone expects auto companies to end up paying billions of dollars in penalties for failing to meet the mandate. Available from seven dealers in the state. Minivan, nickel-metal hydride batteries.