There is much talk of the Nissan Leaf®, it is 100% electric and it has a 100 mile range. One don’t need to stop at the petrol station or worry about the next gas hike for that matter. They will drive straight home to their own docking station. “The home charging dock will require a 220/240V 40 amp dedicated circuit connected to a breaker. The charging dock will need to be hard-wired directly to the circuit by a certified electrician.” (Nissan.com)The docking station will cost $2000 dollars plus tax, according to Nissan, and the government will offset that until December 2010, unless of course they extend it. For the tree huggers among us, Nissan claimed that the Leaf® is partly made from recycled material. The Leaf® is loaded with technology, from smart phone programed ac to rear backup camera. With long driving, the car is capable of letting the driver know where the closest charging station is. The Nissan Leaf®, as stated before, has a 100 mile range and that is without weight and other things that maybe using power in the car. There is a SL which starts at $33,720 and you get a solar panel spoiler in the mix, there is also the standard SV, starting at $32,780. The Nissan Leaf is a great start but is it a super green car? Click on the link below to find out more on the Leaf®.
Nissan LEAF – made in America.
Another great car, not fully electric but eco-friendly nonetheless, is the Honda Insight. This cars get an EPA 40/43 MPG and it has its followers. Unlike the Nissan Leaf®, this car will take the occupants across the country while filling up intermittently at petrol stations. It comes with a 98 hp engine and do not forget the electrical system. There is no charging like the Nissan, but there is no available solar panel on this one. Without the plug in the fluctuating fuel price could be a bother. The base price for the Insight is $19,800 for 2010 model. I guess people will pay the price for this instead of the Leaf®. Take a look at the review below for a visual of the Insight.
There is now in the works a 100% Honda electric vehicle said to be available 2012 in the US and Japanese market. It is the popular Honda fit, only now it is all-electric.
“The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. When the Fit EV production model is introduced, it will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.”(world.honda.com)
Last, there is the Toyota Prius that has dominate the market of hybrids for years. It is stylish, practical and has its followers and critics alike. The Prius is not the Super green car but it is also a start in the right direction. The car gives the most MPG on the market at 51/48 and there are drivers who claimed they got more. The Prius is not the best looking car to some, but who can deny, the car delivers and that is the main aim.
Although the Chevy Volt is not on the road yet, but it is worth being mentioned. This is a huge step for the American car manufactures to produce such a car. The Japanese and other countries had for years jumped way ahead of America in car design and technology. Then with the rebuilding of Ford and GM, the cars of this country are very stylish and appealing to customers, both esthetically and economically. The Volt is very promising and there is much buzz over it. There is some complex numbers concerning the mpg. There is talk of it getting over 200 mpg, but all I know is, it will go forty miles on battery power alone.
While all the cars are a great start in the way of the green future, they are not the super green car that we want. Regardless of the range and price, the manufacturers have to start somewhere, and we the consumers play a huge roll in the outcome. We are the ones they build the cars for, we are the ones who give the demands. The combustion engine did not take a year to make so neither will the electric vehicle. If we are patient but still demand what we want, eventually we will get the super green car and all will be happy(maybe).
thecarnest.wordpress.com 