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Of course, the science behind cars that are designed to be completely powered by electricity is years off, at best, though there are a few options which bring at least the early stages of an enjoyable, practical car to the public. For those people who are seeking both to help the environment and save money in fuel costs, an electric vehicle may be just what the doctor ordered. Of course, there are sacrifices that must be made if such cars are to be used, at least until science catches up with the dream. Electric powered cars aren’t likely to replace their fossil fuel-burning cousins any time soon, since both the cost of the vehicle and the strain on the local power grids will make it very difficult to keep the car fully charged all the time. Of course, as more electric vehicles sell, the companies will be able to charge less and less, since they’ll be able to streamline their manufacturing and production capabilities.
Tesla Roadster
The Tesla Roadster is the most promising of all the electric car offerings on the horizon. While the Tesla is currently in limited production, the fact remains that the technology still hasn’t quite turned the corner to allow the Tesla Roadster to be both affordable and practical. The Tesla boasts a price tag of over $100,000 and can go more than 200 miles on a single charge; however, once the battery is emptied, the car must be charged for at least 4 hours. While this may seem like a small problem, the fact is that most electric cars would be plugged in during peak usage hours. There have been no reliable studies published to show how millions of electric cars would affect the power grid during peak usage times. Of course, an electric powered sports car is thought to be slow and unresponsive by many, but the Tesla will have a top speed of 125 miles per hour and will reach 60 miles an hour from a dead stop in less than 4 seconds. The Tesla may very well be the electric powered sports car of the future, but until orders increase dramatically, the company will be largely unable to lower prices to a level that most consumers could comfortably afford. The Tesla Roadster offers regenerative braking, and each time the brakes are applied, the motor receives the excess energy. This leads to greater than expected braking power and the ability to stop the Tesla very quickly. Of course, during slow-paced city drives with a great deal of braking, the Tesla benefits most from these advancements, since the engine is taxed far less than on highway drives. Tesla is currently in talks with other carmakers who may be able to offer advice and assistance in building the electric powered sports car. However, it’s unlikely that any electric powered car will be a true joint venture between automotive companies since the competition and public relations advantage to being first on the market with a mass marketable option will be immense.
GEM
Gem is made by Chrysler’s Global Electric Motors division, and is designed to be a strictly short range, low speed passenger vehicle. Of course, the speed is currently dictated by federal law, which limits cars of a certain type to roads with a top speed of 25 miles per hour, but that’s certainly fast enough for most residential streets and even some surface streets, as well. The Gem is a Low Speed Vehicle, and is designed to have less in the way of passenger comfort and safety than larger, heavier vehicles. Of course, at lower speeds, the danger of collision is significantly lower and the damage less severe should a collision occur. For errands around town, however, the Gem would be perfect for dropping kids off at soccer, though it may be tough to fit equipment in the back, since the Gem is going to have only a small lockable area for personal goods.
Dynasty iT
The iT, from Dynasty, is going to be made by a Pakistani company when production begins. The iT offers a two-speed transmission and halogen headlights. The frame, in order to save weight, will be made of aluminum and the body of lightweight fiberglass. The top speed for this small runabout will also be 25 miles per hour, but that is expected to change as laws catch up with technology.
Zenn
The Zenn is a car with a range of 30 to 50 miles, and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Of course, the Zenn, which stands for Zero Emission, No Noise, is designed to come with a greater than usual list of amenities and features. The Zenn will have a stereo and a sunroof, as well as air conditioning for passengers. The Zenn is due to begin production in late 2009, and the Toronto based company expects sales to be heavy in congested urban areas such as Toronto or Montreal.
Xebra
The Xebra, though currently in production in limited numbers, is still months away from practical usage as an everyday driver. The Xebra isn’t limited by the government regulation of 25 miles per hour, because it only has three wheels. As such, it’s not considered a car by law. The 25 mile range and a charge time over 6 hours means that many people won’t be lining up at dealerships, but websites such as eBay have already shown brisk sales and purchases from those wanting the Xebra.
Of course, it’s going to be years until a viable mass-marketable candidate is found for the electric car market, and it’s no secret that the major automakers are scrambling to be the first to come to market with one. With luck, it’ll be sooner, rather than later.
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