mrstickball on 29 December 2010
Electric vehicles have an efficiency of 80% or more. Regular cars are in the area of 20-30%.
The problem with combusion engines is that they do not convert gasoline (or most fuels for that matter) into energy very effectively. Electric motors are far more efficent, and certainly cheaper (cost per KwH vs. cost of fossil fuel), too.
Here is a pretty good breakdown:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml
For an electric car, you do not lose energy when idling (as the engine is not being turned), the engine does not lose any energy, and you usually have regenerative breaking. Therefore, the only losses are due to aerodynamics, accessories and drivetrain.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
