Bidding increases for electric vehicle

Remember that electric-powered Toyota RAV for sale on EBay that we wrote about the other day?

With more than a day to go on the auction, the bidding was up to $40,200 as of 1:20 p.m. today. Advocates for electric cars say the cost of electricity for such a car is the equivalent of paying 83 cents a gallon for gasoline.

Gulp.

Mark Whitehead, 56, of Rancho Cucamonga, is selling the car and said he was pleased to hear from me that bidding had jumped more than $9,000 just this morning. In fact, he paid $42,500 for the car in 2003, so it looks like he’s going to recoup that cost.

He said that his daughter recently left for college and his household no longer needs three cars –- so he decided to sell the one that is the oldest and worth the most. Whitehead said that he’s been using the electric RAV to commute (it has about a 100-mile range after being charged), but he also owns a Prius.

“I haven’t gone to the gas station for so long and went the other day to put gas in the Prius and was shocked to see it at $4.50 [a gallon],” Whitehead said.

He only had to fill it part way and ended up spending $35. I think it's fair to say that when bidding ends tomorrow, Mr. Whitehead will be having a good day.

--Steve Hymon

Comments

[Barry Bernsten]

A fundamental change in our driving habits is now required.

The Automobile Industry is going to be in the same position as the Airline Industry in the next few months. Unless we get away from gas combustion vehicles, including Hybrids, the automobile industry (as we know it) will die.We need to make drastic moves. America needs to move to ELECTRIC. The vehicles are not as fast, not always as fun to drive, but the move will save Americans money (Billions) and help bring change to our automotive companies. Let's "Be Green"!!!!!!!!!!!! BG Automotive Group Ltd. has a car that will travel 80-100 miles per charge for $15,995. Finally a car that most Americans can afford. Did you know that 80% of all drivers, drive less than 50 miles per day? This new car will cost an equivalent of $0.20-0.25 cents/gallon (depending on electricity rates in your area). Why send $700 Billion per year to OPEC (now buying up U.S. companies) when we can use this money for our schools, health care, social security for all Americans, etc, etc, etc. We can make the difference if WE change.

[Elvis]

This 2001 Rav4EV with 48,000 miles sold for $89,200 !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230254014549

[calwatch]

The problem with the well publicized auctions is that you will have a lot of flakes and others who will back up. It will be interesting to see how much he actually sells it for. My guess is that it will not be at a $40,000 premium to the cost of the non-electric version.