Efficient CarsOver the last thirty years or so we have seen a gradual infiltration of foreign energy efficient cars into our market. In North America the big three auto manufacturers seem to have been pre-occupied with the large gas-guzzling automobiles. There have been some smaller cars built in N.A. but not particularly efficient or long lasting. It is just recently that we have seen General Motors (GM) replaced by Honda as the largest car manufacturer in the world. The Big Three seem very reluctant to move away from the gasoline burning auto. A few years ago GM had an electric car in California that seemed to have great potential but it was shelved. Foreign cars are developing hybrid technology that blends gas burning with electric powered engines. Finally, GM is developing the Volt, an electric car coming out this year. All three North American auto makers have plans for electric or hybrid vehicles that are electric powered at lower speeds and for the first 40 to 65 miles without being recharged. They are planning to bring them to market in the next couple of years. There are other innovations outside the big three. The ZENN - Zero Emissions No Noise, built in Quebec, is a totally electric car made for city use. It will go a maximum of 40 km per hour and will last about 2 hours before needing to be recharged. They are classified as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) and although approved by the Federal Government the provinces have been slow to allow them to be licensed for street use. At this point British Columbia has approved their use. Quebec has approved their use in a few cities. They can be licensed in 45 American states. As a result most of these cars are built for export. The Tesla is a totally electric car, built in California. It shows great promise. It can travel at highway speeds and the charge can take it up to 380 Kilometers. It can be plugged into any electrical out-let and totally recharge within a few hours. The Tesla Roadster is an extremely responsive and comfortable sports car. Another interesting development is the partnership between a French auto-maker and Nissan of Japan to build an electric car to be marketed in Israel. The project is to establish a network of battery charge and exchange depots for lithium-ion batteries throughout the country by 2011. Israel is considered ideal for such a project because the country is small; thus long distance car travel is uncommon. Over the last few decades there has been a gradual movement toward fuel efficiency and emission reduction. It would seem that the increase in the cost of petroleum will accelerate the development of more energy efficient cars. This is particularly true in North America, as the market for larger cars and trucks has shifted to greater fuel efficiency. These developments have the advantage of reducing fuel costs for automobile owners in the future. Another huge advantage will be the reduction of pollution in large cities.
Another innovation in the concept of
efficient cars
is the Zipcar.
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