Electric Cars
Created by Scottish inventor Robert Davenport in the early 1830s, the electric car has passively glided from century to century ? until now.
After battery technology advanced in the 1860s, the electric vehicle (EV) enjoyed a heyday spanning the 1860s till the 1930s. It monopolized racing, luxury and the adoring eye of the public. However, with the advent of efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs) in the early 1900s, it quickly departed from the scene and was laid to rest for several decades.
EVs peeped onto the market again in 1960s and 1970s, mainly for public transit and freight transport fleets, and exploded onto the scene during the 1990s due to the rising cost of petroleum prices, California Air Resources Board?s (CARB) regulations, CAFE standards and EPA policy.
EVs eliminate many of the issues associated with traditional fossil fuel-powered automobiles. They reduce the extraction of natural resources, eradicate detrimental emissions and lessen America?s dependency on foreign oil.
Many recent models, including the Tesla Roadster and Nissan Leaf, are major steps forward in the evolution of the electric car. These futuristic innovations put performance, practicality and power on par with gasoline-powered vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles combine ICEs with electric power. They reduce emissions and attain greater gas mpg. Current hybrid vehicles are phenomenal choices for any searching commuter today.
Canvassers worldwide, including MIT and CSIRO researchers, are investigating new battery technologies to improve battery life, charging time, performance, efficiency, and storage capacity. They hope EVs will eventually replace ICE-powered vehicles.