I have been thinking a bit of the cost premium of electric cars. It is obvious they can be more expensive to buy initially since their fuel cost will be a lot lower (a lot like nuclear power plants
).
Ok, I'll put this in an European context. In Western Europe gasoline cost about $1,5 a litre. Let's say your average motorist will drive 50 km a day, 250 days a year and with a car that consumes 0.8 litres per 10 km, and he will keep his car fo 10 years.
It adds up to a total fuel cost of 50*250*0,08*1,5*10= $15.000
But then you need to buy electricity. Let's say electricity will cost 1,5 cents per kWh and your electric car will use 3 kWh per 10 km. Driving patterns remain the same as above. Your electricity cost will be 50*250*3*0,015*10= $5625
Total fuel saving $15.000-$5625= $9375
As your average car cost $15.000 - $25.000 it seems you can put quite a big price premium on electric cars, 50 % in certain cases. Another big saving should be less maintenance and reparation costs since electric cars are more durable and require less maintenance.
My above numbers are very rough. Please improve them if you can.