We have all heard
about hybrids - a
car with a small
internal combustion
engine with minor
electric motor assist.
The gasoline engine
is used to increase
the car’s acceleration
and also to help
charge the batteries
that power the electric motor.
Starting in about 2009 Toyota, General Motors, and Fisker Automotive Inc.
will be offering plug-in hybrid cars. Car names to look for include Venture
One, Fisker Karma, Chevrolet Volt, Saturn Vue, Toyota Prius.
These vehicles will be powered by an electric motor with minor
gasoline engine assist. The lithium-ion batteries used in these cars
will be recharged overnight. Some department stores will let customers
recharge their car batteries for free while the customer shops. Additionally,
employees will likely recharge their cars during the day at the employers'
expense.
The next step beyond plug-in hybrids will be fully electric plug-in cars
Such cars will initially be expensive, however, electric conversions are
likely to become more available..
Carlist.com provides the following list of electric vehicles, some of which have been available since 1992 (16 years ago).
· 2005 Phoenix LIO
· 2003 Phoenix 1
· 2002 Club Car Pathway
· 2002 Zone Electric Renegade
· 2002 NEVCO Gizmo
· 2002 Lafayette - Series II, IV
· 2002 NEV Commuter
· 2001-03 Western Golf Car
· 2001 Dynasty Motorcar IT
· 2000-01 Nissan Hypermini
· 2000-01 Ford Th!nk City
· 2000 Corbin Motors Sparrow
· 1999-03 GEM
· 1998-00 Bombardier - Sport-e,
· 1998-03 Toyota RAV4 EV
· 1998 Hyundai Accent EV
· 1998-02 Nissan Altra EV
· 1997-99 GM S10 Pickup
· 1997-99 Plymouth Voyager Epic
· 1997-99 GM EV1
· 1997-99 Honda EV Plus
· 1996-98 and 2001 Ford Ranger Pickup
· 1995 Renaissance Cars Tropica
· 1994 Solar Electric Electron Voyager
· 1994 Solar Electric Electron Metro
· 1994 Solar Electric Electron Ranger
· 1994 Solar Electric Electron Prism
· 1994 GM Impact
· 1993-94, 97 and 99 Dodge Caravan
· 1993 Green Motorworks Kewet El-Jetv
· 1993 Ford Ecostar
· 1991-2001 Solectria Force and Citivan
· 1993-98 Cushman Electric ZEV
· 1993-94 Solar Electric Electron Paseo
· 1993-94 Solar Electric Electron Consular
· 1993-94 Citycom City-El
· 1992-94 Solar Electric Electron Escort
· 1992-94 Solar Electric Electron S10 Pickup
· 1992-94 Solar Electric Electron Saturn
Why has progress been so slow in getting the steering wheels of these
vehicles in consumers’ hands?
Well, big oil does not like to give anything up and if they have to give up
a little, you can be certain that they are entering the lithium-ion battery
business.
Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He welcomes
your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
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