JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Brian Austin Whitney Blog Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

I don't want to be a naysayer, and I will explain the steps I have taken later in this post, but I have to say that some people, myself included, could not afford an electric car. Brian, you say that the savings in fuel costs would equal out to the monthly payment, but in today's economy, I can't make a monthly payment.

I would be considered by some to have had a very successful career in broadcasting, but a few years ago, I found myself out of a job. I could have found something else in another area of the country, but my parents are older and my father's health is not very good, so I can't be too far away. After a year of unemployment, I finally took a job that pays less than half of my previous salary. Shortly thereafter, my wife lost her job. We are now living on approximately one third of our old income. I am driving a 14 year old minivan and I have 2 other vehicles that I can't afford to fix. we have cut out whatever expenses we can, but we have a chronically ill child. Even though she has insurance through the state, there is still a lot of out-of-pocket expense.

I'm not saying this so people will take pity on me. I know there are a LOT of people out there with circumstances much worse than mine. I just want to point out that any car payment is out of the question.

What I have done, is I recently became a member of the old fat guy on a scooter brigade. I just bought a 150 cc scooter that gets about 80 miles to the gallon. It isn't the answer to everything, but it beats paying $70.00 to fill up a gas tank.