The Importance of Eco Friendly Cars

In the past decade, the automobile industry has experienced a revolution. While traditional vehicles are still going strong, the creation of affordable, mass-produced hybrids and electric cars has started a revolution. Many people are choosing electric cars over fossil-fuel vehicles because they are cheaper to drive and help reduce damage to the environment. The cost of charging an electric car is much less than the cost of filling up the tank, and the cost of a new hybrid or electric car has dropped considerably over the past ten years. These cars also aren�t as loud, which reduces noise pollution and makes communities quieter. While it seems like electric cars are the most logical move, it�s only recently that technology has made them both affordable and efficient.

Over the years, a number of different inventors worked on electric car concepts, but all of them faced obstacles like battery size, battery life, and cost. Because of this, there was very little interest in attempting to mass-produce an electric car until the 1970s. The Arab Oil Embargo of 1973 and the growing cost of oil revived interest in clean alternative energy sources.

Electric car research continued during the 70s and 80s with little success. However, while fully electric cars were not yet commercially viable yet, the research was put to use in creating hybrids. In 1997, the Toyota Prius became the first mass-produced hybrid car, and many others soon followed. What was at first simply a trend has taken off, and hybrids can be found on the streets around the world now.

Since then, a number of different automakers have experimented with electric cars, including the Tesla Motors Company. More and more countries have pledged funds for electric car research and made minimum fuel-efficiency policies a reality.

As gas prices continue to increase, more and more people are looking for alternatives. In some areas, gas prices are over four dollars a gallon, and those on fixed incomes have been forced to find alternatives to driving. For some, this means using more public transportation or walking and biking. For others, trading in their gas-guzzling vehicle for a hybrid or electric car is the best option. In 2012, sales of electric vehicles tripled, resulting in over 100,000 new electric cars on the road. As more and more electric vehicles become available, more financial incentives for buying electric cars go into effect, and gas prices increase, consumers are more likely to purchase these alternative cars.

While there are certainly some disadvantages to electric cars at the moment, such as a lack of readily available charging stations in many areas, these challenges are expected to be overcome soon. In fact, experts expect to see more than 40 percent of all cars run on electricity by 2035, resulting in a savings of almost 1.5 million barrels of oil every day.

Make your Regular Car more Environmentally Friendly

Even if you can�t afford an electric car, there are several things you can do to convert your traditional vehicle to a more eco-friendly one. Some of these are as simple as using different oil, while others involve changes to your driving habits. Here are some of the easiest things to make your vehicle more environmentally friendly:

• Drive the speed limit and don�t rapidly accelerate. This helps save on gas.

• Use synthetic oil and high-flow air filters.

• Replace the spark plugs regularly.

• Use cruise control to maintain your speed and reduce acceleration.

• Perform regular car maintenance.

• Turn off the car if you expect to idle for longer than 30 seconds.

• Remove any excess weight from your vehicle.

• Keep your tired properly inflated.

• Use car covers to keep your vehicles safe when you�re not driving them or overnight

You can also actually convert your car to something more friendly to the environment. Converting a standard engine to one that uses natural gas can be done with a CNG conversion kit. You can also change diesel engines to run on straight vegetable oil or on highly concentrated ethanol. You can even change your hybrid into a pure electric car, although these conversions are more expensive.

Electric Cars are the Future

After seeing the many benefits of the electric car, it�s clear that they�re more than a fad. These vehicles are here to stay, and since they�re becoming more efficient and less expensive every day, they may very well be the future of automobiles.

Since eco-friendly electric and hybrid cars are still fairly new they tend to cost a bit more when making the initial purchase, but the money you will save in fuel will make up that difference pretty quickly. As with any car, you want to keep it in the best shape possible. At Car Covers we can help your car stay protected with our high quality protective car covers. Whether you need eco-boost Mustang Car Covers or a cover for your Toyota Prius we have you covered! Order easily online today and save money with some of the best prices that you will find!

Links:

The Advantages of the Electric Car

The U.S. Department of Energy provides information on the benefits of electric cars.

Fueleconomy.gov lists many of the advantages of electric cars over traditional vehicles.

Auto Trader has compiled a very helpful list of the advantages and disadvantages of the electric car.

AAA�s website talks about the environmental benefits of driving an electric car.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation breaks down the benefits of electric cars for owners and for the environment.

History of the Electric Car

History of the Electric Car � Now on PBS has put together a timeline of the electric car from 1832 to late 2009.

The About.com Inventors section includes a detailed history of electric vehicles

The Edison Tech Center provides more information on electric vehicles, including photos of some of the earliest electric cars

Time also has a great history of the electric car

The Electric Auto Association, which has promoted electric vehicles for over five decades, outlines how these vehicles came to be.

The Cost of Electric Cars

CNN Money reports on the drop in prices for the electric car in 2013

The Kelley Blue Book provides up-to-date pricing on electric cars.

Green Car Reports has a 2013-14 price guide for electric cars

Popular Science discusses the current price of electric cars.

Scientific America discusses the cost of driving an electric car.

Scientific Facts about the Electric Car

eHow has an article listing some facts about the electric car.

The Rocky Mountain Institute has five electric car facts that are a bit different from other sites.

This Energy.gov interview with Pat Davis, director of the U.S. Vehicle Technologies Program, reveals a number of facts about electric vehicles.

The Electric Car FAQ provided by SmartUSA is very informative

The Sierra Club website debunks some popular electric car myths