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Washington Auto Show attendees give emphatic ‘no’ to electric cars [VIDEO]

Nicholas Ballasy Senior Video Reporter
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WASHINGTON — As Toyota drops its plans for widespread sales of an all-electric vehicle, The Daily Caller went to the Washington Auto Show to ask attendees if they would buy an electric car.

Despite rising gas prices, most of the people who agreed to go on camera said they would not purchase an electric vehicle at this time.

“I don’t think they’re cost effective. Can’t go far enough,” said one man.

“I don’t like to plug things in,” another told TheDC.

However, some told TheDC that they might consider it in the future.

After over 100 years of electric car research and development, Toyota acknowledged that battery electric cars are not meeting society’s needs.

“Because of its shortcomings — driving range, cost and recharging time — the electric vehicle is not a viable replacement for most conventional cars,” said Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada. “We need something entirely new.”

There are reportedly almost $16 billion in federal loans available for the development of “alternative-technology” vehicles.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has said it “remains to be seen” if those funds will be distributed.

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Nicholas Ballasy