Will America soon be free of much of our dependence on foreign oil to fuel our automobiles? The 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is showing a myriad of electric cars and hybrid car models according to the New York Times. Will this be the year America starts to move en masse from gasoline fueled cars to the hybrid and the electric car?
The auto show in Detroit will feature models like the Honda Insight, a five-door hatchback with Eco Assist to maximize fuel efficiency according to the NY Times. The Insight will cost under $20,000 and will be available in April, 2009.
Toyota will display the third-generation Prius at the auto show. It will have an “improved nickel-metal hydride batter and electric motors” according to the NY Times. Toyota will also feature the Lexus hybrid: the Lexus HS250h and the FT-EV concept, a battery-electric subcompact car.
Ford is expected to show their concepts for an electric commercial van and a Focus-based electric sedan. Ford will also display the 2010 Ford Fusion, which is E.P.A. certified at 41 m.p.g. for city driving. The hybrid power train will allow the car to go up to 47 miles an hour solely on electric power.
General Motors will show a “Cadillac concept version of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric sedan” stated the NY Times.
Tesla motors will have a show-flow display at this year’s auto show. It has sold over 150 of its $100,000 Roadster thus far according to the NY Times.
Jeep will promote four concept hybrid and electric cars at the auto show, including the Jeep Patriot EV and an extended-range Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV.
BYD (Build Your Dreams) of China will display the F3DM at the auto show. This model is a plug-in electric compact sedan.
I think it would feel like being part of the future to own an electric car. Time will tell how mainstream these cars become. I hope to someday not have a gasoline fueled car. In New Jersey customers do not even pump their own gas. Nonetheless, I have always been a bit nervous about the combustibility aspect of a gasoline fueled car. I guess this may be due to the fact that when young my family had a Ford Pinto. Later these cars were found to explode upon impact due to a design defect; the Ford company knew it but did not inform the public. Don’t buy a Ford will thus always be my lifelong motto and advice.
As chaos reigns currently in the Middle East, it becomes ever more crucial to end America’s dependence on foreign oil. We must not let oil impact our nation’s politics or security.
America’s air is so polluted in many regions of the country. Electric and hybrid cars may start to improve that problem. Another solution would be to try to drive as little as possible. Americans love their cars; maybe now our country will find a way to drive electric or hybrid cars that will not so dramatically negatively impact the environment.
Source:
www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/automobiles/autoshow/12elect.html?_r=1&hp
