Full Electric Vehicles (FEV's) The largest issue that has been attached to full electric vehicles is performance and the duration of that performance. Until recently, electric vehicles that ran on isolated power sources (batteries) without aid from combustion enrergy or a connected power grid could not compare with the power output standard set by internal combustion engines. A very common form of electric cars on sale now consist of small neighborhood cars that had a very limited top speed and had short cruising ranges near (in many instances less than) 100 miles on a charge. The benefits of FEV's compared to internal combustion cars however are obvious and significant. Electric motors are nearly 100% efficient while in an internal combustion car, 25% of the energy provided by gasoline can be harnessed while the other 75% turns into emissions (Reference: Future Cars- Discovery Channel). This is where electric motors really shine. With an electric motor, there are no emissions other than the heat generated by the motor. However electricity still isn't environmentally perfect. Where did the electricity come from? The truth is, about 70% of the electricity produced in the U.S. was produced using fossil fuels: petroleum, natural gas, and coal (refer to diagram on right-Made by Acdx in Excel 2007 based on http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat1p1.html). Burning fossil fuels such as coal can send harmful particles into our environment and create havoc with our atmosphere. However, if we increase the use of nuclear energy and harness the power of nature using hydroelectric, solar, or wind, electricity will find a place in our future. With current technology and innovations we can vastly improve our electric cars. Such goals as making a FEV that could chase Porsche's and Corvettes with ample cruising ranges can be made real today with the engineering of companies such as Tesla Motors. It has become big news in the automotive world that a production electric car that can hit 0-60 in 4.4 seconds (Car and Driver- Mar 2008 issue) while having a maximum cruising range of over 200 miles is finally becoming reality. The Tesla Roadster (bottom-most picture) is powered by nearly 7000 (act. 6931) litium-ion battery cells that together weigh 700lbs but produce nearly 250 hp. It will have a base price just shy of $100k which is not cheap by any standard but it shows that the task CAN be accomplished. Older model cars can also be converted for use with an electric powertrain for those who realize that they are making too many trips to the gas station. This MSN autos article addresses how normal people can take advantage of the revival of electric conversions( http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434538). Many companies are either retrofitting popular car models and reselling them or just plain offering electric conversion kits that work with a person's car model. These companies are opening opportunities for normal people to go green. As electric technology continues to advance, we will find new ways to make the use of electricity more practical and more mainstream. We already see that nothing is quite impossible as shown by the Tesla roadster and we can look foward to new inovations that will likely change the world of cars as we know it. | 
Chart of Electricity Production in the U.S. 
Eliica stands for 'Electric Lithium Ion Car. The EV supercar can achieve a top speed over 370km/h 
The Canadian Dynasty EV 4 door sedan neighborhood electric vehicle The Tesla FEV Roadster capable of a 0-60 run faster than internal combustion sports cars (4.4 sec) |