Batteries are 99+% recyclable. Even charged from coal fired power plants the emissions are still significantly less.^[3] Batteries such as that in the Tesla are made from a large number of small devices. Maybe the explosion problem can be contained to a small area of the total.^[4] Batteries have always imposed critical technical limitations on the range and speed of electric cars. There has been relatively little progress in propulsion batteries compared with improvements in ICE auto technology.^[5]

Gas is finate, we go to war for it now. ^[8] Gas prices keep rising and there will come the day where fuel will be so rare, that powering cars with it will no longer be possible. Some smart people already started looking for alternatvie ways to power their cars.^[9] Gas headlamps and opera lights gave way to electric headlamps, courtesy lamps and dome lights, and the storage battery got bigger. Taillights appeared, then brake lights.^[10]

Nissan is planning to sell electric cars in the United Stated and Japan by 2010. Nissan is also expecting to sell a broad range of electric vehicles by 2012.^[11] Nissan is aiming for a sticker price of between $20,000 and $33,000. We're hesitant to put much faith in any price until we see it on a lot, but this sounds good.^[12] Nissan which is lagging behind in hybrid technology is now focussing on electric cars. Together with its French partner Renault, Nissan will provide the electric vehicles for Project Better Place in Israel and Denmark. Renault-Nissan has also signed a contract with the Portuguese government to introduce the same concept as in Israel and  Denmark in Portugal.^[13]

Charging the lithium-ion batteries that power the 20kw electric motor takes about 6 hours, and there is an optional capacity boost battery pack available that extends the range by 20% (why not include it with the car?). The Triac comes in 8 different color combinations and is available from the dealership in San Jose.^[15] Charging times should not be a problem for most people who charge it during work hours. In fact, if the Volt indeed gets 40 miles to a charge then the vast majority of commuters would not even have to charge their cars during the day.^[16]

Comments not relevant to the topic will be deleted. Neither you nor Popular Mechanics has the ability to make your e-mail address public in this Blog.^[20] Comments that contain personal attacks or profanity may be edited or removed. Comments containing personal information such as phone numbers, credit card numbers, or addresses may be edited or removed.^[21]

Everyone is talking about alloy wheels these days. It is the hottest accessory on a car be it a small car or luxury cars.^[24] Everyone (I thought) knew that practically nothing of consequence is gained by going the all-electric route when 40, 50 and even 60 mile range plug-ins are available, which they soon will be. And should batteries become fast rechargers (as some already are) Agassi's rather implausible swapping scheme falls in taters as a horribly expensive kind of nightmare Three Stooges-inspired business plan.^[25] Everyone is looking for ways to save money and help conserve our natural resources. There are many methods that are easy to start in your own homes, but one very simple and obvious way to save is by reducing water consumption.^[26]

Hybrid cars use less fuel because they are more efficient. Full electrics have limited ranges and massive (in weight) battery packs.^[30] Hybrids are seen as an important transitional technology, as the cars don't require external charging for the electric engine's batteries. Instead they are charged by the petrol engine and through efficient energy recapture systems - taking usually wasted energy (like the heat generated through braking) and converting it back into electricity.^[31] Hybrid cars are getting more attention from both government and public. Hybrid cars are still a bit expensive, but in the near future mass production of these cars will eventually make it affordable.^[32] Tesla is a company we have covered on numerous occasions and one which has made a significant mark in the electric car market despite only being incorporated in 2003. Based in America, the company has quickly taken the latest electric car technology and introduced a significant array of improvements which have taken the market to a new level.^[33] Tesla claims it will fit seven people, and has mounted a rather large 17in LCD in the dash. Key to Telsa’s future will be the evolution of lithium-ion battery technology.^[34]

BYD is the company, apparently the showed a new electric car at a recent trade show. ^[39] BYD's car production capability is not on par with their battery production capability. It is entirely possible that BYD's plan for business success rests upon selling the ET-Power technology to other car manufactures instead of mass production of the plug-in hybrid or pure electric cars on their own.^[40]