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Electric Cars
Going Green
Going Green: Electric Cars
New York will soon be home to an automaker that only makes electric cars. Officials announced that Reva Electric Cars would be built in Central New York.
They're expecting electric cars to grow in popularity for some people they're already popular, like Greg Tyler, an assistant professor at Morrisville State College, who bought a used electric car and fixed it up.
“For me there are three reasons. One is the savings, it's less expensive to operate and maintain. Two is the ecology, much friendlier to the environment with totally zero emissions, and three it reduces our dependence on foreign oil. All the electricity I use is local, domestic energy,” said Greg Tyler, Assistant Professor SUNY Morrisville.
And, so far he says the energy use has been very reasonable.
“I've had it on the road since the end of June. I've put almost 1,500 miles, averaging less than six and a half cents per mile of electricity to run the car,” said Tyler.
Most electric vehicles run at a much more efficient and cost a lot less than an equivalent internal combustion engine even at the current prices of $2.50 to $2.80 per gallon.
Translating that into miles per gallon, that means Professor Tyler's 1993 Ford Escort is running at sixty five to seventy miles per gallon. Plus he says electric cars are cheaper to operate and maintain.
Well, there are a whole lot fewer moving parts. Think of your typical internal combustion engine with four or more cylinders and all the valves, the camshaft, etc. There is essentially one moving part in this car, the motor. There's no oil to change, there's no air filter, no coolant. You have to put in brake fluid but a whole lot fewer moving parts and a whole lot less to maintain.
The range between plug-ins is limited, just 20 to 25 miles but Tyler says that's perfect for commuting to work.