2. Chevrolet Volt
Technology:
The Chevy Volt runs on both gas and electric power. The Volt contains lithium-ion batteries that allow a
range of 38 miles with full use of the batteries. Along with the batteries inside is a gas generator used to
produce electricity that allows for a total 380 miles for one full charge and one full tank of gas.
Advantages:
The Volt has countless advantages when put on the road. With its battery technology as well as the electric
generator, this car’s average operating length between fill-ups is one month, equivalent to 900 miles. The
aspect alone saves tons of money and time purchasing more and more gas with its reduced level of
dependence from gas.
Infrastructure:
The Chevy volt requires nothing different from any other car in order to be sufficient and sustain on the
road. The Volt can get gas as it needs just as any other car, just at 4x less frequently than a regular vehicle.
Also, with its easy plug-in port and cable, the Volt can charge through virtually any outlet, at the
convenience of your own home.
Disadvantages:
The only true disadvantage that this car has is the fact that it still uses gas as a resource for the car.
Nevertheless, The Volt propels itself into a new, better source of transportation, leading the way
towards better, more efficient cars and way of life.
Government:
It is important for government support in creating these new use of resources in technology. We
need to promote new technology in ways that have already been put to use such as new
establishments of electric stations into parking lots provided to charge cars.
3.
4. Tesla Roadster
Technology:
The Tesla Roadster is a completely electric sports car run on lithium-ion batteries. There are over 6,000
batteries that power the Roadster, eliminating all dependencies on gas. The car’s body is also made out of
carbon fiber, which takes off mass amounts of weight compared to other traditional cars that slow down
and put more pressure on a regular car engine. The carbon fiber provides the same level of protection
with its durable, indestructible make-up. The car is also capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7
seconds as well as operating for 250 miles on a single charge.
Advantages:
This car uses fully clean energy using the lithium-ion batteries as the source, which themselves are
recyclable and renewable resources. The car, being able to simply recharge with any regular 110 V or 220
V outlet,(done anywhere, anytime) the Roadster completely eliminates a need for gas, causing no air
pollution and saving unimaginable amounts of money that would go towards a constant refueling of gas.
Disadvantages:
The Roadster is currently a very expensive buy, making Tesla’s most urgent task at hand to create ways to
provide a more plentiful supply of batteries and efficiency in order to lower the price and make it much
more affordable. The car only has two seats as well, eliminating itself as an option for families and those
in need of plentiful seating and room.
→ The roadster also contains a maximum length of operation of 3.3 hours on one charge, making road
trips more of a difficulty.
Government:
The government will need to put forward money in areas that will assist in the expansion of our new
technology. This can be done by funding new programs to help experiment and research for innovative
methods that can change the entire routine of our culture. The promotion of clean technology, and
funding of expansion can help to provide the same technology for all and bring us closer to the reality that
we are approaching.
5.
6.
7. GMC Terrain FWD
Technology:
The GMC Terrain uses Flex-Fuel technology to run a cleaner, more
efficient, and environmental-friendly system of operation. Flex-fuel burns
both ethanol and traditional gas. The technology of flex-fuel is based off of
E85 or ethanol. The ethanol, derived from the sugar of corn, is used as an
alternative to gas, emitting 25% less greenhouse gases than regular
gasoline.
Advantages:
The Terrain’s Flex-fuel technology assists in creating less harmful pollutants
in the atmosphere and uses a system in which we use a better form of
technology that’s resources are right here in America, lessening the
country’s dependence on other countries and their resources.
Disadvantages:
Although the Terrain’s flex-fuel tech receives its resources locally, it takes
away a resources that is very important and is ultimately one of our
necessities. Also, the flex-fuel technology when looked at broadly can be
seen as harmful to our environment by constantly using the resource that
can lead to a depletion in our supply of land and crops for food, which is a
resource important to maximize.
Government:
8.
9. Mercedes Benz B-Class Electric Drive
Technology:
The B-Class Electric Drive is a complete emission-free electric car. It’s range is around 115 miles and
limits the top speed of the car at 100 mph. Finally, the car contains a battery manufactured in Tesla
Motors’ models, known for its full use of lithium-ion technology.
Advantages:
The B-Class Electric Drive is another car that uses no amount of gas, containing fully-clean technology,
making it 100% clean for the environment. This saves the driver money and time as the need for gas is
gone. The car also saves money as it has no requirement for additional maintenance of gas-fueled cars
such as oil changes.
Disadvantages:
The B-Class requires a charge of lasting 2 hours after only 60 miles of driving which makes long-
distance driving a conflict when in certain situations.
Government:
The government has to begin new programs and efforts that will provide money to build more charging
stations and sponsor the expansion of technology to help build a gradual continuation of new
technology, eventually leading to a complete independence from fossil fuels in the future.
10.
11. in 10 years…
• 10 years from now, I would like to be driving the Tesla Roadster. Out of the many
alternative fuel cars, that one to me is the most intriguing. I am inspired by its level
of efficiency for an electric car, and the many upsides including the 380 miles you
can receive from one charge and just the thought of being completely independent
from gas and gas prices from ANY electric car inspires me. Also, I believe it is
simply the most innovative car we have seen yet in the fact that it is made purely
out of something that is not metal, making it lighter and the next level of progression
in our culture and lifestyle. Overall, the Tesla Roadster is my favorite of the
alternative fuel car with the most innovation, being my choice of transportation 10
years from now.
12. Citations
• Blanco, Sebastian. "2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Electric Drive is headed for US - Autoblog."
Autoblog. AOL, 13 Mar. 1927. Web. 17 June 2013.
• Car of the future. Dir. Joe Seamans. Perf. N/A.
WGBH Boston Video, 2008. Film.
• "Fuel Economy." Fuel Economy. U.S. Department
of Energy, n.d. Web. 17 June 2013.
• "Tesla Motors | Premium Electric Vehicles." Tesla
Motors. Tesla Motors, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 June
2013.
