Electric cars are all the rage now.
Even as electric motorcycles make a splash in developing countries such
as Sri Lanka and India, electric cars are surging ahead in the developed
world. There’s such a scramble to lease the new Mini E in the States
that even BMW, makers of the Mini, have been left speechless.
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Cadillac
Canverj |
The
good news is that electric cars will see greater commercial reality then
we think at the rate car and battery manufacturers progress in this
field.
Hybrid cars, which combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor
(ex: Toyota Prius and Lexus SUVs) are also coming to the market in
greater numbers. The global economic crisis has only accelerated
progress in this direction as more consumers seek to ditch oil
altogether.
But electric cars used to be ugly boxes, dictated so by battery and
component requirements. Not any longer. They are taking on the shape of
mainstream cars. Prime examples are the Dodge Circuit concept and the
Tesla.
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Tesla |
The electric two-seat sports cars can go from zero to 60 miles an
hour in less than five seconds, and do it all without consuming a drop
of gasoline.
Check out the ongoing Chicago Auto Show for more examples of chic
electric cars.
General Motors will feature its newest all-electric vehicle, the
luxurious Cadillac Converj at this show.
“For somebody who is a luxury buyer, but still wants to live green,
still wants to do their part for energy independence and all of that,
there aren’t a lot of choices out there,” said GM’s Dave Lyon. “We think
this is a great opportunity for Cadillac to lead.”
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Mitsubishi
MIEV |
The car is designed to show Cadillac’s styling prowess, with its
sharply creased lines and led lighted accents.
The cool factor on the Converj carries right on over to its “gas
cap.” There really isn’t one. Behind the motorized door is where the
plug-in electric power goes.
Chrysler is promoting its electric Gem cars. Gem stands for Global
Electric Motorcar. Most of the vehicles are still commercial, but there
is a considerable demand from general users as well.
Ford will also soon get in on the act. All Japanese manufacturers
have ongoing research programmes to turn out entirely electric vehicles.
Perhaps by 2025, we will be able to see large numbers of electric
vehicles on our roads, not just on the roads of developed countries. The
e-motorcycles are a good precursor to our electric future. |
