> > Oil companies keep electric cars from becoming a reality.
> I was with you up until the last sentence.

I was looking at the RAV4-EV page on Wikipedia (so you know it's true :o)):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RAV4_EV

And saw:
"Whether or not Toyota wanted to continue production, it was unlikely to be
able to do so, because the EV-95 battery was no longer available. Chevron
had inherited control of the worldwide patent rights for the NiMH EV-95
battery when it merged with Texaco, which had purchased them from General
Motors. Chevron's unit won a $30,000,000 settlement from Toyota and
Panasonic, and the production line for the large NiMH batteries was closed
down and dismantled. Only smaller NiMH batteries, incapable of powering an
electric vehicle or plugging in, are currently allowed by Chevron-Texaco."

So, it sure looks like oil companies are doing what they can to make
electric cars less viable.  It's a shame, I'd like an EV for local running
around, and keep my Vanagon for longer trips.

toodle pip,
--
       Dug Smith         | It is by caffeine alone that I put
(mailto:dug@dugbert.com) |  my mind in motion.  It is by caffeine
(http://www.dugbert.com) |  alone I start the day.