Electric Cars 2012
The new batch of electric automobiles are here. After years of debate and wonder, most companies have introduced the concept of pure electric cars. People around the world are excited and are showing great interest in the purchasing these green cars. There is no control on the rising fuel prices; plus cars which run on gas are one of the main reasons behind global warming. Purchasing an electric car is nothing short of making a profitable investment, the owner can save thousands of dollars as it doesn't require gas and get benefits for keeping the environment clean.
Best Electric Cars
These cars surely come with a hefty price tag, but they do compensate by saving thousands of dollars which would be used for gas. Manufacturers have spent billions in design, dynamics and research to ensure that these cars become the first preference of the mainstream buyer. Here are some popular choices in the market right now.
Ford Focus Electric
Showered with positive reviews and praise, the Ford Focus Electric has been awarded the Green Car Vision Award and was also the top contender for Green Car of the Year 2012. As of 2012, the car is available in 19 cities and this network would be expanded in the coming months. The car is powered by an electric motor which gives a power of 100 kW and uses a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It will also have an 240V that helps the car to get fully charged in just 3 hours. Tests suggest that the car runs almost 77 miles in a single charge.
Nissan Leaf
Nissan plans to be the first automaker to put over 50,000 pure battery electric cars on the road. A true technological miracle, the Leaf is a 100% electric car that doesn't require a single drop of gasoline to run. It impresses with an 80 kW electric motor that is powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It can seat up to 5 passengers, and results say that the car runs almost 90 miles on a single charge. With the high mileage statistics, Nissan aims to make the Leaf a household name across the nation.
Chevrolet Volt
Our own GM (General Motors) has made an impressive entry in the electric car market with the Volt. This stunning car is not 100% electric. It is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.4 liter gas engine powering the battery which runs till 40 miles after a single charge. Even though it is a hybrid, its demand is pretty high. The Volt comes with a 111 kW electric motor that draws power from a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Today, the Chevy Volt is considered as the most fuel-efficient gasoline car in the US.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Mitsubishi i-MiEV is currently considered the greenest car of 2012. This small car has gathered a lot of press since its launch in 2010. This pure electric automobile comes with 47 kW electric motor that uses a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a smooth drive. The i-MiEV is usually preferred by huge companies and government departments for their transportation fleet. This technological marvel provides an impressive average of 100 miles on a single charge.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is a luxurious all-electric sedan which has managed to gather a lot of press due to its exceptional design and impressive engineering. The car comes with a 310 kW rear-mounted electric motor that uses a 85 kWh lithium-ion battery for a powerful yet smooth journey. Tesla claims that the car is capable of covering almost 200 miles when it is fully charged. The company has begun its deliveries from June 2012 and the car is expected to hit the global market in the mid quarter of 2013.
Fisker Karma
For people who prefer saving the world in a luxurious style, driving the Fisker Karma would be first step in that noble cause. It is one of the best luxury sports plug-in hybrid sedans. The car is driven by a pair of 120 kW electric motors that get their power from a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery. Once the battery is about to be depleted, the 2.0 liter Ecotec 4 Cylinder engine turns on to run a generator that powers the electric motors. The Karma also offers solar panels which charge the lithium-ion batteries and keep the cabin temperature under control. In instances where the Karma is fully charged and has a full tank of gasoline, it can run almost 200 miles.
Other than the above given models, there are some more electric automobiles which deserve a mention.
- Coda
- Wheego Life
- BMW i8 (Plug-in Hybrid)
- BMW i3
- MINI E
- Honda Fit EV
- Toyota RAV4 EV
- Toyota Prius (Plug-in Hybrid)
- Scion iQ EV
- Smart Fortwo Electric Drive
