I’ve been lurking on this and other related sites for some time now, and I have a question for readers here.

I live in a housing subdivision in an outer-ring suburb of a southwestern Ohio city. I have a 9.5 mile commute to work. To get anywhere, work, groceries, whatever, I have to go about 2 miles on 50 mph two-lane roads, before I get to 40 mph or 35 mph suburban streets.

To be practical, I must have an enclosed vehicle that can carry more than just me. Thus, it appears that the only electric passenger vehicle I could see and buy, today, right now, that I could drive legally would be a ZAP. And for that, in Ohio, I’d have to wear a helmet for a year.

Am I right about this? Must I wait until about 2010 to see any progress in getting affordable EV’s? I need something now.

Welcome! There are several options -- mostly conversions. Zap would not work because of the 50 mph highway need. And you would not need to wear a helmet. Do date, there is not one documented case of an officer requiring a helmet in an enclosed vehicle. At worse, you may get a warning.

Check out hybrid technologies. Be prepared to pay quite a premium for all electric versions.

If you can wait, wait until mid 2009. There should be much more available by then at reasonable prices.