While we were optimistic about the electric car industry, we also acknowledge there’s two sides to every coin. We got this e-mail from a reader describing Honda’s (HMC) less-than-great experience with electric cars.

Honda has evaluated all electric cars and has not found they to work for the average person. They just introduced the first fuel cell cars.

Honda is already selling natural gas cars - no need for Mideast oil or refineries.

Honda will be introducing several new hybrids that make the most sense and can be driven across the USA.

PS: Ethanol for cars is a BAD idea.

Thanks for the note. We’re not sure how they came to that conclusion, but if that’s what they think, then that’s what they think.

To that end, we do have to ask if their conclusion was based on feasibility, or marketability. One of the unexplained nuances of electric cars has been ridiculous design and styling - for some reason, many manufacturers have insisted on only building go-cart sized autos, and not giving them enough power. If the car is tiny and doesn’t keep up with traffic, then no, they won’t work for most people. THERE ARE FUNCTIONAL, FULL-SIZED CARS THOUGH…..IN USE.

One of the coolest electric cars is made by Tesla Motors. It looks and performs like a sports car, and you can ‘fill it up’ just be plugging it in at night. At $109,000 it may be beyond most people’s grasps, but the price tag is paying for ’sport’ at least as much as ‘car’.

Still, if Honda is worried about the cost, that’s understandable…..but we don’t think this technology is going to stay expensive forever.

By the way, according to Tesla’s site, the cost to drive their car is 2 cents per mile. All of sudden the $109K doesn’t seem crazy considering what we’ve been paying at the pump.

Also, we agree - the current ethanol-based auto technology isn’t smart. It’s expensive and inefficient. So was gasoline at one time too though. We plan on keeping an open mind, but if the functionality and feasibility isn’t better in the near future, then something better will get the attention. Electric vehicles get our vote.