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Fuel Efficient Cars

Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) operate by converting hydrogen gas into electricity. This energy fuels the electric motor.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml The hydrogen gas is stored in a fuel cell. FCVs also have a high-output battery that gives extra power to the motor.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml

FCVs release plain water instead of pollutants.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml As a result of using hydrogen cars, a smaller amount of greenhouse gases and smog will be in the air. These cars also convert more energy than alternatives that use gasoline.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml

However, there are some obstacles for FCVs to overcome before they are widely accepted in the car market. The cars themselves are expensive to make.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Therefore, the cost of the car is unattractive to consumers.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Currently, there is not a mass produced method to offer hydrogen to the public.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Also, fuel cells are heavier and less durable than their counterparts.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml

Availability: There are no hydrogen cars on the market. However, there are some buses in production.http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell_availability.html

updated 2010-08-01 02:17:41

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Chevrolet Volt Rebates

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ERRA). Included in the act is a provision that provides tax credits to the first 200,000 buyers of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) per manufacturer.

The credits start at $2,500 and increase by $417 for every kilowatt hour of battery capacity in excess of four kwh. For most passenger vehicles, weighing 10,000 pounds or less, the credit tops out at $7,500.

The Volt is rated at 16kWh, which equates to $7,500: $2,500 + $5,000 ($417 x 12 excess kwh = $5,004).

The most recent estimate places the MSRP of the Volt at $40,000, with the $7,500 federal tax rebate available after that price.c c

updated 2011-06-24 21:41:12

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Electric Car

Electric vehicles were a trend in the 1890s and outsold gasoline cars ten to one. Two car companies, Oldsmobile and Studebaker, started out as successful electric vehicle companies with the first dealerships selling only electric cars. They later switched to gasoline vehicles. Electric vehicles started being limited to travel only in the city. By 1918, the production of electric cars for the general public had stopped and electric vehicles were being used for only taxis, trucks, delivery vans and freight handlers.

The late 1960s saw a change in the attitude toward electric cars. People started to be concerned about air pollution and oil. Electric vehicles were once again being seen but in low numbers.http://www.eaaev.org/History/index.html

updated 2010-08-23 01:29:39

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