Firstly,
Ford is relying solely on combustible Fuels for its alternative cars,
which are merely adapted versions of its US mid and full size production
cars. Ford produced a compressed natural gas (CNG) version of its Crown
Victoria model (pictured), a combined natural gas / petrol version of
its Ford Contour and a Ford Taurus that can run on either a mixture of
petrol and alcohol or pure petrol. These cars are as dull as dishwater.
General
Motors have a lot more to offer with a combined petrol and CNG version
of its Chevrolet Cavalier, but also a pure electric vehicle, the EV-1.
A slightly modified version of the first EV1 set the world's land-speed
record for an electric vehicle at 183 mph in 1994. The latest model has
a range of 65-90 miles per charge, but its price tag is a whopping $44,000,
ouch.
Toyota has an electric version of its US sports utility vehicle but its most advanced production car in the Prius (opposite). A hybrid petrol / electric vehicle, it is a full size car. Indicators on the dashboard tell the driver if the car is running on its petrol engine of electric motor. The hybrid design gives the Prius an average of 66 mpg. However, Toyota loses money on every Prius sold.
Honda
is the biggest current investor in this field. Honda has a CNG version
of the Civic on sale in the U.S. As well as this it has two production
electric vehicles. The first is the EV plus, a small electric vehicle
that has been in production since 1998, it is only available on lease.
Their flagship product is the Honda Insight, the first commercially available
hybrid electric / petrol car. It combines an electric motor with a 1.6
litre, 3 cylinder VTEC engine. Honda claims that even when running under
the petrol engine the car produces less pollution that would be involved
generating electricity for a pure electric vehicle.
One
example of an independent manufacturer in the U.S. produces the Sparrow,
a sort of Sinclair C5 that actually works. The Sparrow is a single passenger
vehicle designed specifically for commuters and inner-city driving. Powered
by thirteen 12 volt batteries, the Sparrow provides an effective range
of 30 to 60 miles and a top speed of 65 mph. It is actually a very advanced
vehicle, made of modern composites and it even uses regenerative breaking
to conserve power. What’s more it qualifies as a motorcycle so it
can use California’s car pool lane.
Most, if not all, of the major motor manufacturers have alternative fuel
vehicles on the drawing board, with only Volvo within Europe having a
production car in an advanced stage. Pressure is not nearly so intense
in Europe to bring these types of vehicles to market, but with its increasing
presence in the U.S. market, Volkswagen will soon find itself forced to
bring its plans for advanced fuel cell vehicles forward.
All
those who are still determined to hold on to their older cars need not
despair, there are many firms, especially in the States offering to convert
your car to electric, and expect hybrid conversions to become available
as the millennium continues. The American Electric Automobile Company,
(http://www.aeaci.com/)
in California has already converted two of the most popular vehicles club
members drive, the Rabbit (Golf) and yes, even the venerable Beetle has
got the electric treatment. At least this is one way of getting around
the leaded fuel issue.
Firstly,
Ford is relying solely on combustible Fuels for its alternative cars,
which are merely adapted versions of its US mid and full size production
cars. Ford produced a compressed natural gas (CNG) version of its Crown
Victoria model (pictured), a combined natural gas / petrol version of
its Ford Contour and a Ford Taurus that can run on either a mixture of
petrol and alcohol or pure petrol. These cars are as dull as dishwater.
General
Motors have a lot more to offer with a combined petrol and CNG version
of its Chevrolet Cavalier, but also a pure electric vehicle, the EV-1.
A slightly modified version of the first EV1 set the world's land-speed
record for an electric vehicle at 183 mph in 1994. The latest model has
a range of 65-90 miles per charge, but its price tag is a whopping $44,000,
ouch.
Honda
is the biggest current investor in this field. Honda has a CNG version
of the Civic on sale in the U.S. As well as this it has two production
electric vehicles. The first is the EV plus, a small electric vehicle
that has been in production since 1998, it is only available on lease.
Their flagship product is the Honda Insight, the first commercially available
hybrid electric / petrol car. It combines an electric motor with a 1.6
litre, 3 cylinder VTEC engine. Honda claims that even when running under
the petrol engine the car produces less pollution that would be involved
generating electricity for a pure electric vehicle.
One
example of an independent manufacturer in the U.S. produces the Sparrow,
a sort of Sinclair C5 that actually works. The Sparrow is a single passenger
vehicle designed specifically for commuters and inner-city driving. Powered
by thirteen 12 volt batteries, the Sparrow provides an effective range
of 30 to 60 miles and a top speed of 65 mph. It is actually a very advanced
vehicle, made of modern composites and it even uses regenerative breaking
to conserve power. What’s more it qualifies as a motorcycle so it
can use California’s car pool lane.
All
those who are still determined to hold on to their older cars need not
despair, there are many firms, especially in the States offering to convert
your car to electric, and expect hybrid conversions to become available
as the millennium continues. The American Electric Automobile Company,
(
