Are Electric Vehicles the Answer to High Gas Prices – Yes

From 3arf

There is nothing more important to the economy of this country than ridding ourselves of our dependence on foreign oil. The escalating price of gasoline has caused virtually everything we buy to cost more and is one of the major reasons that the American economy is experiencing very little growth. As if strengthening the U.S. economy were not important enough, ridding ourselves of the need to import oil from other countries would put a serious dent in the funds that terrorist groups have available to fund their activities as well.

Contrary to popular belief, the development of a practical electric vehicle is closer than many may think. Several smaller companies have electric vehicles set for production this year and major automobile manufacturers will begin production in a couple of years. Because this does not suit the liberal agenda of the country's mainstream alarmist media, the existence of these vehicles has had little or no exposure.

The most promising technology is set to debut in two years with the Chevy Volt. Although the Volt will only get approximately 40 miles per charge, the vehicle will automatically switch to gasoline when it runs out of electric energy. While the car is operating on gasoline, the vehicle recharges its own electric cells and will be fully charged within thirty minutes. The Chevy Volt has been making the car show circuit for the past year and is set for production in 2010. Not only can the vehicle be plugged in and fully charged in as little as an hour, the cost to do so amounts to only twenty-five cents.

Also in 2010, Mitzubishi is set to begin production of its iMev vehicle. Although this vehicle will not revert to fuel like the Chevy Volt when it loses its charge, the iMev is reported to be able to get 100-150 miles per charge. The Mitsubishi plug-in can become fully charged in as little as an hour at a cost of 35 cents.

Volvo's concept car, the ReCharge (no production date scheduled), will operate on a lithium-polymer battery pack and can get 60 miles per charge before switching to gasoline. Like the Chevy Volt, the car will recharge its fuel cells while operating on gasoline power.

Although no details are available, Toyota will be producing a limited amount of plug-ins for commercial fleets in 2009 and promises consumer production in 2010. Ford, Chrysler and Audi are said to have vehicles set for production soon as well.

Each manufacturer is working on slightly different technological approaches to their plug-in vehicles. I can only imagine the rapid advancement in technology once all of the vehicles hit the road and are competing with one another for market share. The performance issues cited by many no longer exist, either. The modern electric vehicle accelerates as well as many gas powered vehicles that are currently on the road. The Volvo ReCharge, for example, reportedly will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just nine seconds and be capable of reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour.

The future is right around the corner and I hope OPEC is paying attention. It is because of their greed, that the major automobile manufacturers have bent to the will of consumer demand and implemented plans for the production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. If they were prudent, OPEC would increase oil production and lower the price of crude oil post-haste. Once the plug-in electric vehicle ball gets rolling, it will be impossible to stop.

Not only will Americans be switching to these vehicles in droves, worldwide demand will surely follow. If you think things are messed up in the Middle East right now, wait until their sole tangible product becomes virtually worthless on the worldwide market!

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