Article Written By: Glenn Tucker
From winter 2010 to spring 2011, the demand for environmental friendly vehicles rose with nearly 30%. This change was due to the increased diesel prices of up to 1.40 pounds per litre. People are now less interested in the astounding looking and fast cars and have started choosing cars which are cheaper and much more convenient to maintain. With regards to hilly roads, the LPG is a poor choice as it provides even less power and torque than diesel. The engine operates 20% less, which makes refuelling more frequent. The LPG has a low vapour pressure which makes it very unpopular in the winter, at low temperatures. The biggest advantage of the LPG is its environmental friendly trait; the engine reduces CO2 emissions by 40%. The Peugeot iOn electric model provides the same performance as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, powered by 64 horsepower and 132 lb-ft torque. The iOn can run up to 78miles with a speed of 80 miles per hour. This performance is on a full charge, which can be completely renewed in six hours. A more convenient charging system will be available, which will enable 80% charge in 30 minutes. The Chevrolet Volt has increased the standards of the classic hybrids, but it still remains an electric car with a plug-in hybrid. The four-seat hatchback can operate up to 35 miles on a full charge and it then uses gas for an extensive drive. The electric car is powered by energy from its lithium iOn battery and after the power is worn off, it begins to operate through the 1.4 litter engine, which provides an extra of 260 miles. The Mini E is the electric car in the Mini Cooper product range, which uses a 380 volt battery. The battery can be recharge electrically by using a 110 volt outlet and provides capacity of up to 35 kilowatt. The cruising range of the Mini E is up to 150 miles.The benefit of plug-in hybrids is that they offer enhanced performance of the electric cars and reduce the classic drawbacks, such as limited driving distance. The main disadvantage of the current designs of electric cars is that the technology is still unexplored. One can charge a 12 gallon tank with 350 kilowatt hours in probably a number of days. It does however reduce time in stopping at gas stations and it is more efficiently charged within a few hours. As the car industry is continuously expanding worldwide, LPG is one of the most efficient gases used, as it is 78% cleaner on petrol and 93% cleaner on diesel. With the UK car population up to 24 million, the LPG will be highly beneficial for both the auto industry and the environment. When comparing electric and natural gas vehicles, a few things must be considered. First of all, the technology for electric cars is as advanced as it would enable long-distance driving. Also, the damage produced by the power plants to provide electricity is considerable over a long period of time. Natural gases seem to be a more reliable approach to the fuel economy. However, the electric car concept is beginning to rise in popularity. This still does not make it the first consumer choice, but probably with the battery technology improving,the increase of energy storage and the cut down costs, one can have a lot of expectations from major car manufacturers and the future electric cars generation. For now, the public will rely on LPG, which is enforced due to the growing surplus of natural gas.
This Article Has Been Published on Sat, 1 Oct 2011 and Read 127 Times