Knowledge is power

Electric cars were first on market well before the internal combustion engine took over due to economics; abundant and cheap oil was a far better option for powering the bulwarks of personal freedom that cars have become. But as our demand for more energy continues to grow and as oil supplies continue to decrease, the electric car is scheduled to make a comeback. Or maybe not since it was never here in the first place but experts believe that we are very likely to be driving electric cars in the future.

Even General Motors Corporation which for years shunned anything alternative to inefficient gas guzzlers is now making electric cars part of its long term strategy. GM’s concept electric car is the Volt which runs off two electric motors powering the front wheels but it also comes with an internal combustion engine that turns on for the sole purpose of recharging the car’s batteries as necessary. GM estimates that the 45L gas tank will generate enough electricity for the Volt to travel 1000Km while the batteries will hold a charge for up to 65Km. The Volt is a new type of hybrid car, one which the gas engine cannot directly drive the vehicle as in current hybrid models.

If you think that electric mean no power, then think again. Tesla Motors is a Silicon Valley start-up which is currently producing the Tesla Roadster, an electric vehicle that will outperform a Ferrari! This electric beauty can go from 0 to 100 in less than 4 seconds, pinning you against the back of your seat like a fighter pilot. The car can travel up to 400Km in one charge and its batteries can be recharged in about 4 hours or less depending on the level of discharge. The Tesla Roadster sells for the hefty sum of $100,000 and the company says that it has sold more than 250 vehicles to be delivered as soon as crash-test analyses and other U.S. government-certification requirements are satisfied in early fall this year. Tesla Motors has big plans for electric vehicles hoping to sell another one codenamed White Star by 2010; this one will be more affordable and able of accommodating four passengers.

While the world waits for electric cars from the major manufacturers to appear in the show rooms, gas-electric hybrids are easing the way for acceptance by the general public. Statistics show that in the last year less than 1 percent of all vehicles sold were hybrids but experts estimate that the numbers will grow tenfold in the next 20 years. And as soon as a major breakthrough in high density and quick rechargeable batteries occurs, get ready to welcome an electric car into your daily life.

The photo of the Tesla Roadster is copyright Tesla Motors.