Fuel Efficient Cars
Fuel efficiency has been the top of consumers as gas prices
skyrocketed. It has led to a discussion of alternative vehicle. The high
fuel efficiencies of electric and hybrid cars have become more relevant
with the current prices of gasoline.
Electric cars look very similar to gasoline-powered cars, but there
are many differences. Electric cars are very quiet. It is under the hood
that the obvious differences are evident. An electric motor, controller
and an array of rechargeable batteries replace the gasoline engine.
Electric cars are power-driven by fuel cells. Electric cars create less
pollution than traditional cars.
Modifications turned the 1994 Geo Prism into an electric car. The
first electric car was the 1994 Geo Prism. The gasoline engine, muffler,
catalytic converter, tailpipe, gas tank, and clutch assembly were
removed. The manual transmission was left in the car and was pinned in
second gear. Next a new AC electric motor was secured to the
transmission. Finally an electric controller was added to direct the AC
motor.
Electric cars have not yet reached a technological level where they
are more economical than gasoline-powered cars. Based strictly on how
much electricity is cost to charge an electric car, it would cost 2
cents per mile to power an electric car. In contrast, it takes 4 cents
per mile in gas to power a traditional car. While electricity is cheaper
than petroleum, battery replacement for electric car can cost $2,000.
When that is factored in, it cost 10 cents per mile to power an electric
car. Current research is being conducted to produce fuel cells which
would solve the battery problem. Fuel cells would be much lighter,
smaller and instantly rechargeable. Another advantage of the future use
of fuel cells is that they would be affordable; they also would be
powered by pure hydrogen so there would be no negative environmental
impact.
Electric cars are being produced by most auto makers. The first
high-performance electric car was the Tesla Roadster. The Tesla Roadster
could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. The top speed of the
Tesla Roadster was 130 mph. Current electric cars include England’s most
popular electric car, the G-Whiz and Reva G-Wiz Automatic Electric
Vehicle made in India. Most electric cars are expensive, costing $30,
000 and up.
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Hybrids are any vehicle that combines two or more source of power that
can create driving force. A major component of a hybrid care is that the
gasoline engine is much smaller than an engine in a conventional car.
Efficiency is not compromised because the hybrids use smaller, lighter
parts, reducing the number of cylinder and engine operation at maximum
capacity. Hybrids also recover energy and store it in the battery. An
example of this is the braking function. When conventional cars use the
brakes, energy is expended and lost. When a hybrid applies the brakes,
there is “regenerative braking” the electric motor can slow the car. The
electric motor acts like a generator and charges the batteries while the
car is slowing down. A hybrid is not reliant on the gasoline engine all
of the time. It has another power source, the electric motor and
batteries. Hybrids also use advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag.
Hybrid cars are among the most coveted cars on the market. The leader
is the Toyota Prius which was created in Japan in 1997. Its fuel
efficiency is excellent with 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways.
The price of a 2009 Toyota Prius 4-door standard hatchback is
$21,620.00. A 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan has fuel efficiency of 40
mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways. American auto maker Ford has the
Ford Escape Hybrid Sport Utility. A 2009 model costs $28,147.00 and has
gas mileage of 34 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on highways.
Whether the higher cost of hybrids and electric cars equates into fuel
savings, the technologies will improve. Subsequently, the price will
probably decrease. Fuel efficiency is a major factor for consumers and
the auto makers will continue to bring innovative vehicles to the
market.
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