Abstract
Electric vehicles promise to improve the environment and reduce dependence on petroleum as a transportation fuel. In reality, electric vehicle technology has yet to produce a vehicle competitive with those powered by internal combustion engines. Current electric vehicles cost roughly twice as much as comparable conventional gasoline vehicles. Will electric vehicles eventually deliver their promise ? The authors of this article take no side, but suggest government should be wary of mandating a specific technology that has not been proven in mass production. (A)