Electric cars and off-peak power

I think I've changed my mind about electric cars. Maybe they are A Good Thing.

I used to think: "Yes, great, zero emissions, but where the heck is all that electricity going to come from?"

I read a couple of different things, one from Waikato University(The Potential for Battery Electric Cars in New Zealand) that suggests 10% more electricity would be needed - if there's a move to public transport, walking etc as well. Twenty percent more if not. That sounds like a whole new Manapouri situation.

Then someone suggested the idea of recharging electric cars with off-peak power.

And it checks out. EECA says that there is enough surplus electricity generated off-peak to power all of our current fleet of cars.

And if you needed more, Good magazine gives you ten good reasons to buy one.

There's a little niggle in the back of my mind about batteries, but for now I'm feeling positive about the idea again.