Electric Motor Car Vs Gasoline Fueled Internal Combustion Engine
Currently, the sharp rise in gasoline prices has shocked the American consumer into being highly sensitive to the fuel economy of newly manufactured cars. Because of this increased sensitivity, the major automotive manufacturers are considering and developing electric motor cars.
What is an electric motor car? Well, obviously it is a car powered by an electric motor. Instead of the gasoline fueled internal combustion engine, the electric motor car is powered by battery packs that feed electricity across powerful electric motors.
So why are electric motor cars so in vogue now? Consider the fact that gasoline prices are near all time highs and have at times passed historical highs…that takes into account inflation. The oil embargo of the '70s produced high gasoline prices, but the high demand and recent shortages caused by damage from storms to oil refineries have lifted prices past those of the '70s.
But high gas prices are not the only cause for the increased interest and popularity of the electric motor car. The assertion and push from Hollywood about the effects of human produced "green house" gases on the environment, "increased" global warming, has also increased the popularity of electric motor cars. Let us talk about the types of electric motor cars. The first and most prevalent electric motor car is the gas-electric hybrid. This type of electric motor car combines an internal combustion engine with electric drive motors to increase fuel efficiency. The idea is that while the battery pack is charged and able, the vehicle will use electric only drive configurations. Only when the battery pack is short on charge or more power is needed will the internal combustion engine engage and propel the vehicle. Not only that, but the electric motor and internal combustion engine can propel the vehicle at the same time, giving the gas-electric hybrid power comparable to regular internal combustion engines. Some popular versions of gas-electric hybrids are the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Honda Insight, the Honda Accord Hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. On the other hand, auto manufacturers are researching and developing completely electric motor cars. Unlike the gas-electric hybrid, the completely electric motor cars produce absolutely no green house gas emissions. The methods of completely electric motor cars currently being researched are plug-in and hydrogen fuel cell. Currently, the most viable option seems to be the plug-in electric motor car. Hydrogen fuel cell development has yet to determine the best method for producing pure hydrogen gas safely and cost effectively. However, plug-in hybrids just transfer the production of green gases from your cars engine to the large power plant producing the electricity feeding your all electric motor car.
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