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The positives, negatives, and future of Electric Vehicles
Posted: 08.18.2011 at 3:00 AM
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The Chevy Volt is one of the Electric Vehicles leading the way.  / file photo
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Do you think they’re the way of the future, or do you think they’ll remain too expensive for the average driver to afford?

Down the road of time, will everyone be driving electric vehicles?

Currently, electric vehicles appear to be the way of the future with the Chevy VoltNissan LeafTelsa RoadsterDodge CircuitMINI E, and other hybrid vehicles leading the way.

The U.S. Department of Energy hopes the new rechargeable battery motors will reduce the harmful emissions produced by gasoline driven machines.  Plus, as gas prices continue to soar, alternative energy options are being chased after by scientists to discover other options.

While Electric Vehicles typically go a couple hundred miles on their charge, and then switch to gasoline, there are some problems. It can take a battery 4 to 8 hours for it to completely charge, and the batteries are still expensive. Not to mention that the cost of the vehicles themselves are far more expensive than many drivers are willing, or capable, to pay.

Another issue comes with charging station regulations.  Right now, there are no regulations on them, but according to a February 2011 report from the Chicago Tribune, the government could put limitations on the stations in big city areas, in order to avoid overloading the infrastructures there.

Scientist around the world, including here in Mid-Michigan, are continuing to work on ways to solve the issues and push towards making them more available.

We want to hear your opinions on Electric Vehicles. Do you think they’re the way of the future, or do you think they’ll remain too expensive for the average driver to afford?

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