The Long-Awaited Electric Car
When gas prices hovered near 4.00 in 2007, Americans finally began to seriously demand alternate fuel sources. In the last few years, the presence of hybrid vehicles that run on a combination of petroleum fuel and an electric battery has grown. These cars have enjoyed much better gas mileage than traditional gasoline-powered cars because of their battery use. Many attempts in the last few decades have been made to create an electric car that is not only energy efficient but practical for the average commuter. This futuristic-style car is now on its way to market. The Nissan Leaf, which is set to be released in December, will run entirely on an electric battery. The Leaf battery is supposed to have the capacity to travel 100 miles on one charge. Because this car is 100 electric, there is no tailpipe. The full cost of the Leaf in the United States will be 32,780, but federal tax savings on this green investment can be up to 7,500, lowering the cost to 25,280.The Leaf’s battery can be charged in a standard outlet at your home but this will take longer than if you use a 220/240V home charging station, which will only take about 8 hours to fully charge. If you are on the road and need more than 100 miles, you can stop at a charging location, and the presence of these will increase over time. A navigation system in the car will show you where the nearest charging stations are located. Another convenient feature is a timer, which you can use to schedule the times for charging to start and stop. This can also be controlled online using a computer or phone with internet capabilities. According to Nissan, the Leaf can reach a speed of 87 mph.If you are interested in a Nissan Leaf, you can reserve a car for 99. Everyone with a reservation may not receive a car when they first become available because of limited quantities, but this fee is refundable.