Going Green | The Future of Electric Cars

Electric cars are a promising, emerging form of transportation, as they release no emissions and do not require traditional fuel. While electric vehicles have been around for over one hundred years, they are not widespread or hugely popular due to their limitations. Currently, the majority of electric cars have low top speeds and can only travel a short distance before needing charging. There are a few models that can reach speeds of over one hundred miles per hour and travel two hundred miles before needing to recharge. As innovation continues in this field, it is hoped that electric vehicles will reach the capabilities that traditional gas-powered vehicles have.

As opposed to an internal combustion engine, electric cars use electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries. The recharge process involves plugging in the car to an outlet and waiting between a few hours to overnight for the car to completely “fuel.” Since electricity is so much cheaper than gas, the approximate cost would work out to just a few cents per mile.

Some advanced electric models have already been released, such as the Tesla Roadster. It is an electric sports car that can travel almost two hundred fifty miles on a single charge, reach speeds of one hundred thirty five miles per hour, and accelerate from zero to sixty in about four seconds. The Roadster is a perfect example of how effective and practical electrical cars can become, with the proper research and dedication. There is still a long way to go, but as technology evolves, electric cars will improve in efficiency and perhaps one day eliminate the need for gas powered vehicles.