You're right that it was a good thread, but we have lots of new members now, so I'm glad that manual_overide started a new thread about it.

Personally, I wouldn't get a car even if I lived in a dream world where it was possible to have a truly pollution-free auto. I don't want to give up the financial savings, the opportunities for exercise and especially the FUN of walking and riding everywhere.

I also agree with what tfahrner, patc and Tightwad said. I think sprawl is destructive to social and cultural networks, and electric cars would encourage sprawl as much as the current gas monsters do.