My understanding of PV cells is pretty limited, but an power output decrease over time makes perfect sense. Breakdown of the outer layer from exposure to the sun and weathering would decrease the amount of photons reaching the semiconductor material. Also, and I may be wrong on this, my understanding is that the way they generate electricity is by having photons collide with electrons in the semiconductor, causing electrons to jump to a more excited state, allowing them to flow and generate electricity. Over time, that would suggest less electrons would be available in the material.

A much more practical way of achieving an efficient vehicle would be to reduce a lot of the safety regulations relating to crash protection, allowing cars to become substantially lighter. If you’re thinking motorcycles with an outer shell, you’re on the right track. I’d envision a super-lightweight, low to the ground, 3-wheeled diesel with modest cargo space could seat two and achieve around 100mpg for an affordable price. Some interesting thoughts on the matter here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/fuel-economy/3374271-2. Going much further above 100mpg will probably give decreasing returns in efficiency per cost, require much more expensive materials and enter into the same territory as the electric cars in terms of market penetration.

Off topic, but alternative energy sources might not be such a bad idea for residential use. Solar cells are getting cheaper to produce, though more importantly, they may provide backup power in emergencies. While it may take decades for them to pay for themselves, they could prove necessary in the event that an increasingly fragile mains grid goes down in a major blackout. The main problem with solar is that it peaks in energy output at a time when energy is cheapest, so an energy storage system of NiMh batteries would likely be most practical in terms of payoff, and ability to use backup energy during the night. The batteries will need to be replaced after a while, though I’d expect them to last longer than any other backup generation system. YMMV

If it were actually a danger to the current bankster owned energy monopoly it wouldn´t get a single dime from their politician bitches.

That´s why the state subventions to private solar arrays got quickly canceled over here, when it actually looked like the decentralization of energy generation was on the verge of succeeding. Even though you weren´t allowed to use the power yourself but had to dump it in the grid first!

I immediately said bullshit when the tester in the youtube vid remarked there was no “engine-breaking”. WTF!?!
I´m only an interested amateur but isn´t that the main fucking point of having an e-motor(s) driving your goddamn vehicle?

It´s like these bastards (yes even TESLA!) just aren´t allowed to build a proper e-car that plays to the strengths of the technology.
They probably even tried to figure out how to put a friggen gear box on these things.

They don’t listen any better now than they did then, even on “tech savvy” sites like Slashdot. I’m tired of it. You can take over the gig.

You can have “Hydrogen Economy” too if you want it.