They probably could if they had put a fraction of the funding, research and development over the past 100 years that the petrol motors did Dodgeman.
I doubt most urban-dwelling cars and what they are used for (kids to school, major shopping complexes in every locality) would need the range or power that they once required, where people lived in relative isolation. Making them perfect candidates for electric.
I cant believe the govt here does not promote this, but actually hinders the research and development of electric cars. Still they had it worse in US where GM effectively (and literally) crushed such ideas in the 90s :(

I think Wayland does more to change peoples and perceptions about electric cars (and Datsuns) than any greenie or pollie. Hats off to the man and I hope that sooner than later more Datsuns (and other cars) will follow in his footsteps.

GM took the billions the US government provided for research and developed superb electric cars. I know two guys here in Seattle who still have them (Chevrolet S10 pickups with factory-installed GM EV1 drivetrain), these appear from time to time on eBay they were not all crushed like the propaganda would have you believe. They don't get 100 miles on a charge but something like 60 miles.

When the money ran out, GM stopped work on them. Wouldn't you?

My 1200 gets 350 miles range on a petrol fillup. That's much better than a 100 mile range on an electricity fillup.

Wurzel is right as a second car or one for town electric is perfect.
The second car can be the long range fossil fuel but I would take
a white Zombie anyday as a weekend car.

Cheap to mass-produce Zebra molten salt batteries designed 30 years ago
with a range from 200-500 miles per charge could be had now if enough
money went into its development. They could be the size of a couple of
suitcases or a single kiddie mattress and power everything on land and water.

In Melb fuel is 1.38 to 1.55 aud and only cause our dollar is strong.

white zombie is great, but cant we direct all funds stright to hydrogen fuel cells.

electric is not as effiecnt as its made to belive.

Audi today came out and admitted what most of us know- hybrids and electric cars are more envirionmentally damaging in their production to the end of thier recycyclable life span.

half the batteries cant be recycled, most of the resources to produce the things are pumping out more co2 than usual.

bypass elec now, use it as the steping stone seeing no one wants to go nuclear anymore till the chinese market thier new nuclear plants (uses a sand like substance that is only reactive when hit with a laser beam or similar).

honduh are on the right track and so will the europeans and the chinese have even commited to a comercially available hydrogen car by 2015.

fuel up the delorean marty, we are going back, to the future!

Most battery chemistries are horribly toxic and hybrids are worse than a hummer
to build in terms of energy invested but the Zebra Batt would be the ultimate.
Its molten salt chemistry is sustainable and can be improved further.
Lead acid is still a great chemistry since its 110% recyclable thats right 110%
as I was taught since more gets recycled than produced as a byproduct in smelting
alloys and other heavy industry. Lead acid batts are 100% recyclable and perfect
for storage and can easily discharge great power when charging a vehicle or for
those with a workshop setup off-grid like a friend that welds and uses heavy
amps as a sculptor and designer.

Unfortunately Hydrogen fuel cells are very inefficient and will always be so as
they need 3 times the energy input than what can be released.
They can be improved but so far they are worse than diesel in the long run.

The ultimate fuel would be made from the most efficient and original source of fossil fuels
and thats green Algae. Vertigro Algae factories are the best in the world and ready to roll.
This would be we could keep all the 4 stroke engine technology and other current machinery.

Quote:
Bless me soul, you must be light on the throttle.
My stock 1200 coupe has a 35 litre tank & I spend 95% of my driving on a main highway.
I can get 250 Miles [400k] from a tank full but by then she is sucking fumes. My 1200 Ute was about the same in stock condition but both the Ute & my B10 sedan could be coaxed to measurably better figures with the 1200 GX engine. [same engine, different cars at different times]

I gotta practice that economy driving.

well I wasn't getting this with the original carburetor. I put an A15 carburetor on and am now getting good economy once again. I think the power valve piston was stuck on the original carburetor.

I know that I am drifting off topic so will not continue past this post but I suspect that I could get better mileage if...........
1. I was closer to sea level instead of 2,500 ft [carb runs richer due to less dense air]
2. My trans was a manual instead of auto [I love my auto]
3. I operated the engine at its most efficient speeds instead of trying to keep up with modern cars on the highway. [110kph + or 70mph +]
4. Did not drive into a fairly constant headwind every morning.

If I kept it down to about 50 to 55 mph [80 to 88kph] I would probably get better mileage but the big rigs would just use me as a speed bump.

couldnt you just use them as a refuleing depot dodgeman?

I can see it now... A 1200 ute with an A frame on the bac trying to steal one of those tankers 'Fast and Furious' style... Mik behind the wheel...