Top Five Electric Cars

The environmental hazards have created awareness among the people and to save the earth every one is contributing in some or the other way. A metro like Delhi has taken the initiative of saving nature.
More people are opting for eco-friendly cars now. Alternative fuels like CNG and LPG has changed basic transportation in the Capital and close to 10% of private cars run on it and now it is the time for the electric car to make its presence. Electric car are not only affordable but also environmental-friendly. An electric car spends upto only 40 paisa per kilometer. Another good thing about this car is, it is easy and simple to drive. The only demerit it has is the low speed and short traveling range but the manufacturers are also working on that issue.

For city driving, this would be ideal. However, for lengthy commutes on the highway, this would not be ideal long drives. Converting a car into an electric one is not a cheap affair, it can cost a lot. Thinking practically, when comparing the cost involved of using an electric vehicle kit, it is always better to opt for the regular car especially if they do a lot of highway driving.

But again if you are looking for a purely eco-friendly car fro city driving then you have the right car. In India presently Maini REVA is shining away but now there are companies who are planning to roll out electric cars

Reva

India’s first electric car Maini Reva was introduced in 2001. It is the best environmental-friendly car that offers affordability with the lowest running and maintenance cost. The hassles of servicing, getting the components checked and repairs will be things of the past with the Reva. This little car dos not carry any engine, clutch, radiator, exhaust system or carburetor. Reva’s Energy Management system (EMS) analyzes and set right the problem of over discharging and helps in better maintenance. Further, Reva offers safety with steel space frame, side impact beams, dent-proof ABS body panels, a low voltage system, and a dual-braking system. Reva is available in REVAi Standard, REVAi AC and REVAi Classe models. The base variant with out air-conditioned delivers 80 km on a full charge, while the other two air-conditioned variants will give about 60 km. Attractive and super compact Reva comfortably seat two adults and two kids. Other than Reva, there is another company which is planning to launch electric car. Bavina, Chennai based industry is all set to roll out their 4-door electric car with the attractive price tag of Rs.2.5 lakh by 2008. Clubbed with the looks of Santro and Matiz, the car is enhanced with the features like AC, central locking system and power window. The car can be driven around to 110km with the full charge and gives a fair mileage of 55kmph.

Another electric car that will bee soon seen on the Indian roads is from Ajanta- the clock makers with the price tag of Rs. 85,000.

Tesla Roadster

It is the first all-electric sports car produced by the electric car firm Tesla. Currently, Tesla is the only production automaker which sells highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. The Roadster beats almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as fuel cars and delivers 244 miles per charge. It vrooms from rest-60 mph in 3.9 seconds; it has 92% average efficiency and 85% at peak power.

The Tesla Roadster is built with design assistance from Lotus Cars, who supplied the basic chassis development technology from the Lotus Elise. The car was introduced in the year 2006 which was later followed by a series production inMarch 2008. Today Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and interestingly around 1,000 customers are on the wait list. Tesla Motors is now taking orders for the Model S, an all electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels 300 miles per charge. The Model S, which carries its charger onboard, can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes.

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet brand from the house of General Motors is thinking of launching a electric model called Volt. This model would be powered by a lithium-ion battery with a gasoline-powered, range-extending engine which drives a generator to provide electric power. The Volt, expected to make its debut in 2010 with the assurance to deliver beyond 40 miles and will be one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM history.

Fisker’s Karma

Fisker Automotive's Karma, the California-based utilizes Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology, developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies. A completely-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. After venture further, the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been surpassed, the car starts operating as a normal hybrid vehicle. This balance of electric and gas range makes it entirely possible that Karma drivers who charge their car overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.

ZENN

ZENN (Zero Emission, No Noise) is a two-seater battery electric vehicle developed by ZENN Motor Company designed to qualify as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. It has a range of up to 40 miles (64 km) and does not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h). It is a three-door hatchback with a standard 110-Volt outlet plug-in, completely rechargeable in approximately 8 hours from empty. A storage space of 30 cubic feet is available.