Contrary to popular belief electric cars are not new. The American Electric Vehicle Co. Chicago, IL began producing electric powered autos in 1896. The Baker Motor Vehicle Company was founded in 1898 and operated until 1915. You can read more about early electrics here.
The two problems that depressed the popularity of electric autos were cost and range. Early electrics sold for from $2000 to $3100 in 1913. A Ford model T cost about $850. Although Baker claimed a run of over 200 miles on a single battery this was not typical.
RESURGANCE OF ELECTRICS
The modern electric vehicles were developed due to concerns about the environment and the scarcity (price) of oil. During the “War on Oil” several major companies began development of electric vehicles. Today we have developed new drilling and exploration methods that have produced enough oil to last the USA for over 100 years The “War on Oil” has been halted. The development cycle that the auto industry started in the early 2000’s was not abandoned and is now producing excellent results.
LIST OF BEST ELECTRIC VEHICLES
| Tesla Model 3 | Best electric car overall | |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | Best long-range electric car alternative | |
| Nissan Leaf | Best affordable electric car | |
| Porsche Taycan | Best luxury electric car | |
| Tesla Model S Performance | Best performance electric car | |
| Audi E-Tron |
TESLA MODEL 3 
HOW DO THEY WORK
The electric autos use one or more electric motors to power the vehicle using electricity stored in the cars batteries. They do not produce any electricity on their own except from the regeneration system of the brakes. When the battery gets low you must stop and plug the car into an electrical outlet to recharge. The charge time varies greatly depending on the electrical source. Charging at home is usually an overnight deal. Charging at a dedicated car chargibg station can be a 20 to 40 minute process.
There are many configurations of motors and transmissions. Some cars use the motors to drive the wheels directly. Others drive the wheels using a transmission or transaxle. The advantage here is that the performance can be increased by simply adding another motor. Some makers are now using a motor on each wheel.
This is a Tesla platform. The entire floor is the battery pack, The electric motor is at the front and drives the front wheels.
ADVANTAGES
- ZERO EMISSIONS *
- NO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
- LOW COST PER MILE
- TAX SAVINGS **
- INSTANT FULL POWER ACCELERATION
- GREAT HANDLING DUE TO LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY
* The electric car does not produce emissions itself but the electricity comes from electric generation plants. With exception of the few nucular plants they burn coal or natural gas. Whenever energy changes form energy is lost. There are many vehicles now the get over 30 miles per gallon of fuel. If you take that same gallon of fuel you cannoy generate enough electricity to drive an electric car 30 miles.
** Currently there are federal income tax incentives for purchasing a new electric vehicle. The credits have a certain life and may not be renewed by congress. Gas and diesel vehicles pay a state and federal tax on each gallon of fuel. This is about 35 cents/gallon for gas and more fore diesel. (varies from state to state)
DISADVANTAGES
- HIGHER INITIAL PRICE
- LIMITED RANGE FOR LONG TRIPS
- LONG TIME TO RECHARGE
- DEPRECIATES FASTED THAN GASOLINE CARS
- TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON ELECTRICAL GRID
- WEIGH MORE THAN SIMILAR GAS POWERED CARS
CONCLUSIONS
Electric vehicles have taken a quantum leap in just the last few years. Driving range on the Nissan Leaf was about 80 miles just about three years ago. The range on the 2020 Leaf is over 200 miles. Electric cars are now some of the fastest cars on the road. The Tesla Model 100 and the Porsche Taycan can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 3 seconds. The cost per mile to power the car is less than gasoline cars. There are tax savings due to no fuel tax being paid. Sadly all of this progress carries a steep price. A Nissan Leaf starts at $32,000. A similar sized Nissan Versa starts at $14,700. If price is no object and you feel that driving an electric is helping the environment then an electric may be in your future.
