After hearing about them for years, the time has come for two of the largest auto manufacturers to begin rolling out electric cars. Nissan and General Motors are ready to introduce plug-ins by the end of 2010, and several other automakers, including Toyota and Ford, have announced plans to launch electric cars in 2011.
Now I know electric cars are eco-friendly and budget-friendly, as they eliminate the cost of fuel, but I must admit the idea scares me. I was the proud owner of an electric Barbie car as a child, and I still have vivid memories of waiting hours for my car to charge, only to have it run for 30 minutes and leave me stranded on the sidewalk. So when I heard that we would be seeing plug-ins before the end of the year, I decided to do some research to answer some FAQ and ease my fears.
1. How far can you travel before charges?
Depends on the car, but the range is 50 to over 200 miles. The Nissan Leaf will be able to travel up to 100 miles when fully charged.
2. How long will it take to charge?
Rapid charging can charge a battery in 30 minutes. However, the Nissan Leaf will take up to 8 hours to fully charge a dead battery.
3. Where do you charge?
Currently, electric owners are expected to do 80% of charging at home, especially overnight. There are public charging stations in some parking garages and shopping centers. Soon Charging systems will be installed in Best Buy parking lots, and BP and ARCO stations. The Obama Administration has set a goal to have 20,000 charging stations installed nationwide by 2012.
4. What kind of special maintenance do electric cars require?
Electric cars do not require oil changes or tune-ups, and they have 1/10 as many parts as gas cars, so maintenance is relatively easy. The battery will need to be checked often, and may need to be watered. The connections will need to be kept clean and tight, and tires checked.
5. How fast can electric cars travel?
Depends on the car, but most can reach 55-65 mph and some may reach 85-90 mph
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