2 posts tagged “electric cars”
Fuel prices shoot up and we have the environmentalists hoarding up banners for CO2 emission. “Go Green” seems to be the slogan everywhere. This is the time when the image of an Electric Car flashes in your mind’s eyes.
Electric vehicles (EV) are driven from energy storage in the form of battery packages. This energy could be from any source. It could be from the elements: air, water and the sun. Energy for EVs can be obtained from fossil fuels and nuclear power and can be stored in the batteries or fuel cells. The power in the batteries wears out after a certain mileage. But, the power cells can be replenished once they get exhausted.
Electric cars, also known as Alternative Fuel Cars, have been pricey for a common man to afford. The comfort level of these cars is negligible. Moreover, these cars could not give the performance of a regular petrol or diesel car.
Car manufacturers are giving a thought to the concept of Alternative Fuel Cars. Cars of this type do not have a internal combustion engine. As a result, we have witnessed the rise of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). These hybrid cars are powered by rechargeable cells, which can easily be plugged in to a electric power source. Plug-in hybrids reduce air pollution and converse fossil fuel as their batteries are charged with nuclear or renewable energy.
Many car manufacturers are joining the ‘green car revolution’ and this time it is the Indian car manufacturer who is planning to go green with its cars. Though it will take some time but the Maruti Suzuki is planning range of CNG hybrids and electric vehicles for the Indian car market in a span of three to five years.
Currently, the car manufacturer is researching the possibility of developing the electric cars for India. Suzuki has already developed a fuel cell technology which currently is undergoing testing with the Hybrid SX4 in Japan in venture with USA based General Motors.
The engine is offered with a mixture of fueled cells and high pressured hydrogen. Besides this the company has also tested the hybrid technology on Wagon R for the Japanese market. Whether the hybrid version of Wagon R will be seen on the Indian roads is still a mystery. All we can do is to hope for the best.
The CNG version cars in India are a very good option because of its low maintenance cost. With many car manufacturers opting for alternative fuel vehicles, the demand is also increasing. The CNG kit costs over Rs 40,000 and it will only become practicable when there is a CNG filling system from companies like Reliance across the country. However, these eco-friendly cars are expected to hit the market 2010 or 2011.
