| Electric Cars are becoming more and more popular. | | | | carefully controlled. It is also said that it takes 1/3 the |
| The Electric Auto Association reported that around | | | | cost of powering your vehicle using electricity |
| 10,000 electric cars were on the road in 2006. This | | | | compared to gasoline. Electric cars have been around |
| article describes some of the interesting facts about | | | | since 1834. |
| hybrid vehicles, which will most likely be the future of | | | | According to Fueleconomy.gov, the 2007 Toyota Prius |
| our cars. | | | | is the most eco-friendly. It can do an average of 55 |
| Telsa Motors has been designing electric vehicles. | | | | miles per gallon, and costs only around $600 per year |
| They focus on high performance roadsters, and it sold | | | | for fuel. Most hybrids use regenerative breaking, which |
| hundreds in the first few months. They are powered | | | | acts as a generator by storing energy otherwise |
| by Lithium-Ion battery packs. The Telsa Roadster can | | | | wasted when breaking, and stores that energy in a |
| accelerate 0-60 mph in 4 seconds, and travel up to | | | | battery for later use. At low speeds, the electric motor |
| 250 miles. | | | | is used exclusively (this is where internal combustion |
| Hybrids were meant to mean a mix of national origins; | | | | engines are least efficient. Hybrids automatically turn |
| a European car fitted with American components. The | | | | off when they are at a stop, and then when the |
| electric motors are said to have 90% conversion | | | | accelerator is pressed, they start up again, so that |
| efficiency over the full range of outputs that can be | | | | they car is never idling, saving gas. |