The Reformed Polluter, by Dru Bacon

Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by trish in Green Living

As the economy recovers, high gasoline prices are likely to return with a vengeance.  High gasoline prices can make commuters feel helpless.  But don’t despair.  Help is on the way.
Help for high gasoline prices came through Phoenix on December 18 in the form of a sleek, fast sports car, the Tesla Roadster.  The Tesla has no gas tank.  Instead it has a lithium ion battery and an electric motor.  That’s right!  The Tesla is all-electric with an EPA range of 244 miles.  Tesla is driving the Roadster from Los Angeles to the Detroit Auto Show to prove that charging facilities already exist for electric cars.
Even at 244 miles, range causes a lot of anxiety for potential buyers.  But again, help is on the way.  A Scottsdale company, Ecotality Inc., has a Stimulus funded $99.8 million contract to install 12,800 charging stations in AZ, CA, WA, OR and TN.
If charging stations are being installed, can all electric and plug in hybrids be far behind?  All major carmakers have plans to introduce all electric cars by 2012.  These cars will be highway capable cars with few, if any, compromises compared to gasoline cars.  Better batteries and more charging stations are leading the inevitable change from fossil fuel powered cars to all electrics.  Could we be seeing the revenge of the electric car?