| An electric car is a vehicle which uses electrical | | | | detect even a slight fault in the electricity going to |
| motors and motor controllers to power itself, | | | | the chassis. |
| instead of internal combustion engines that more | | | | As with any electrical system, electric cars have |
| typical petrol/diesel-powered cars use. Electric | | | | numerous circuit breakers, fuses, mains |
| cars need to be re-charged roughly ever 150-250 | | | | contractors etc. Due to the aforementioned |
| miles, however this is their maximum life. They | | | | safety layers, it is perfectly safe to use electric |
| can be re-charged at home (using special devices) | | | | cars in the rain. |
| or at electric-car charging stations which are being | | | | Remember that an electrical car is, on average, |
| deployed across the country (San Jose, Calif was | | | | heavier than standard cars. This does mean that |
| the first to test the stations). | | | | there will be a slightly adjustment needed when |
| Whilst their popularity has varied over time, they | | | | handling the vehicle (for example, just as it would |
| have recently (since about the mid 1990s) started | | | | if you put heavy items in the boot/trunk of a |
| gaining in popularity again. In April 2009, the United | | | | standard car). Power steering and power brakes |
| Kingdom Government announced plans to provide | | | | are recommended features to look out for when |
| a subsidy of up to £5,000 to people who | | | | purchasing an electric car. |
| buy electric or hybrid cars. | | | | One problem with the external safety of electric |
| Electric cars need to be re-charged periodically, as | | | | cars is that they are relatively quiet, and in |
| mentioned above. Re-charge times vary | | | | speeds of 20 mph (32 kph) or lower they are |
| depending on the amount of power the socket | | | | especially hard to hear. This will pose a threat |
| provides, however a re-charge center can | | | | particularly to visually-impaired pedestrians who |
| re-charge an electric car battery in anything up to | | | | may not be able to hear the vehicle coming. To |
| an hour (some batteries can be re-charged in | | | | combat this, the United States Congress and |
| much less time, however). | | | | European Union Commission are looking at |
| They don't emit any carbon dioxide, which means | | | | introducing legislation to ensure that electric cars |
| that such cars are used favourably by | | | | emit a minimum level of sound. |
| environmentally-friendly consumers. Of course, | | | | Popularity Of Electric Cars |
| electricity is currently primarily generated by | | | | Currently electric cars are seen as quite different, |
| burning fossil fuels - which does release carbon | | | | and aren't very popular (albeit they are growing in |
| dioxide into the atmosphere. Hence the use of an | | | | popularity). However this hasn't always been the |
| electric car would indirectly release carbon dioxide, | | | | case. In the early 20th century (1900-1920), |
| although it goes without saying that an electric car | | | | electric cars were more popular than standard |
| is better for the environment than a standard car. | | | | gasoline-powered cars. However their popularity |
| Many electric cars use regenerative braking - this | | | | rapidly diminished from the 1920s to the 1980s, |
| process means that the significant portion of | | | | as oil (and so petrol/diesel) prices become |
| energy used when a car accelerates can be | | | | relatively cheap. |
| gained back when the car breaks. This helps to | | | | However since the 1980s, oil has started |
| increase the overall efficiency of the vehicle. | | | | becoming relatively more expensive again, and |
| Electric Car Safety | | | | eco-friendly attitudes have risen. As such electric |
| Electric cars are relatively safe since many have | | | | car popularity is rising again. In an LA car show in |
| the standard safety features (side impact bars, | | | | 1990, the President of General Motors unveiled |
| front and rear crumple zones, safety glass etc), | | | | the "Impact" electric car - this was a forerunner |
| and also they are relatively heavy (compared to | | | | to the hallmark EV1 electric car. |
| standard cars), and it's been proven that heavier | | | | Many car makers started producing various |
| cars tend to see lesser injuries occur to its | | | | electric car models throughout the 90s, mostly |
| passengers compared to lighter cars in the event | | | | prompted by the California Air Resources Board |
| of a crash. Of course, this is on average - safety | | | | pledging to push for more fuel efficient vehicles. |
| also comes down to the manufacturer and the | | | | According to the American Electric Drive |
| safety features they install. But there's no specific | | | | Transportation Association, in 2006 there were |
| reason why electric cars are less safe than | | | | about 70,000 electric cars in use in America, up |
| standard cars. | | | | from the estimated 56,000 cars just two years |
| Additionally, electric cars have multiple safety | | | | before - an increase of 25%. Overall numbers of |
| layers built in to mitigate any potential possibility of | | | | such cars used are still very low compared to |
| getting a shock from the electric car's battery. | | | | usage figures of gasoline-powered cars, however |
| More specifically, the battery pack is known as a | | | | their usage numbers are rising and the trend |
| "floating system" since it's kept electrically | | | | towards more eco-friendly views can only benefit |
| separate from the car's chassis. Some other | | | | electric car usage. |
| components may simply not function if they | | | | |