We understand the importance of moving towards cars that are more environmentally friendly and do not have to rely on fossil fuels -- but can Electric Cars really enter the mainstream?
Storified by Nerd Insider · Wed, Oct 24 2012 04:27:09
Knowing the importance of creating cars that are more environmentally friendly and that cut down on CO2 emissions, companies have sought to build something that harnesses this, but also remains usable and commercial. Hybrid cars have taken off with success, combining a normal petrol powered engine with hydrogen power which can do half the work. However, the real challenge is creating a car that can be completely powered by sustainable, green means.
Electric cars seem to be the likely candidate to fill this role, but there have been some drawbacks to this. The first dabbles with electric cars showed that they couldn't reach very high speeds, had a battery life that would run out many miles sooner than the traditional petrol power and also needed charging for many hours. There is also the fact that currently there isn't a proliferation of charging points, meaning that careful planning is needed if one doesn't want to get stranded.
However, these are all things that are being tackled as each wave of electric cars develop. One company that has thrown itself into the electric car cause is Tesla Motors -- and not only are they seeking to create usable electric cars, they are also retaining all the design, speed and durability aspects that appeal and are important to drivers. Indeed, as car be seen, the cars can have a sleek, sporty body with all the usual windows, windshield glass, tyres and general appearance.
Electric cars seem to be the likely candidate to fill this role, but there have been some drawbacks to this. The first dabbles with electric cars showed that they couldn't reach very high speeds, had a battery life that would run out many miles sooner than the traditional petrol power and also needed charging for many hours. There is also the fact that currently there isn't a proliferation of charging points, meaning that careful planning is needed if one doesn't want to get stranded.
However, these are all things that are being tackled as each wave of electric cars develop. One company that has thrown itself into the electric car cause is Tesla Motors -- and not only are they seeking to create usable electric cars, they are also retaining all the design, speed and durability aspects that appeal and are important to drivers. Indeed, as car be seen, the cars can have a sleek, sporty body with all the usual windows, windshield glass, tyres and general appearance.
One criticism of electric cars is that they are more expensive compared to similar petrol powered cars. However, Tesla Motors have sought to make their models more accessible, with CEO Elon Musk once saying: "Almost any new technology initially has high unit cost before it can be
optimized and this is no less true for electric cars. The strategy of
Tesla is to enter at the high end of the market [with the roadster],
where customers are prepared to pay a premium, and then drive down
market as fast as possible.."
With companies such as Tesla Motors dedicating themselves to the electric car cause, it seems very likely that they will continue to develop and become more popular. Their status as a much more green, eco-friendly mode of transport also means that they will become more important to our very way of living and certainly appeal to leaders who want to see a greener future, such as President Obama looking to have 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015.
