Abstract: It is expected that environmental awareness and Clean Air Act mandates will promote the electric vehicle's acceptance among a future car-buying public. Some states have adopted tough regulations, and in California for example, 2% of each automaker's sales will have to be zero-emission vehicles by 1998, and 10% by 2003. Only electrically powered vehicles are lidkly to meet these standards. In the United States, General Motors has taken a temporary lead in the development of electric vehicles. GM's prototype vehicle, the front-wheel-drive Impact, is described. European automakers, Volkswagen, Renault, BMW, Fiat and others are also making their own electric vehicles. Car buyers, however, will be expected to pay a high price for these vehicles. Other major disadvantages are posed by batteries. The lead acid batteries used in the Impact weigh a lot, cost a lot, and will need repalcement after 20,000 miles. Also, they will need recharging after about 120 miles. Work is now in progress on faster-charging, longer-lasting batteries.
Publication Year: 1992
Publication Date: 1992-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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