Awl--

Apropos of the diesel generator discussion in How Airtight is a cylinder, I
googled All electric vehicles, and found only one viable source, Zenn.
Viable =  a car that can be   1. practically driven and 2.   legally
registered).

The Zenn is $12-$15K, legal in most states, albeit as a limited purpose
vehicle, for low-speed roads, under 35 mph in NYS.  Also has a crappy range,
30-50 mi.  But workable for short commutes, shopping, etc.
Uses regular lead acid batteries (six), to power 72 V motors.
Looks like my Honda Fit, but half the weight, at about 1200 lbs.

Various sites talk about the video/doc Who killed the Electric Car, meaning,
it IS viable, even *ready*, the oil shitheads just don't want it.
Any opinions?  Any leads on other viable all-electrics?

Apropos of diesel electrics:

For backup power:
If only the  rear wheels were powered, I figger 10 hp on each rear wheel on
a 1200 lb car is good for 20-40 mph.
At 72 V, that's about 100 amps per wheel, about 14 kW total.

Harbor Freight has a 15kW generator for about $2200, at 450 #.
And that's retail price.  Automakers ought to be able to put something in,
considerably cheaper/lighter.

Seems to me, for utilitarian-type vehicles, this is most of the solution:
All electric, lightweight, super-simple (no transmission/mechanical linkage
w/ pure generator), with a cheap reliable gas backup, so you never get
stranded, simple battery technology, ekc, ekc.  Plus solar charging.
The 1992 Mazda 929's had solar stuff built in to the sunroof.

Heat-A/C would seem to be workable as well, with good batteries.  Small A/Cs
are about 600 watts.

Other sites, I think the ZAP car, has electrics w/ 0-60s of 3-4 seconds.
Very expensive stuff.  One car was over $300K.