Electric Car Test Drive
Test Drive an Electric Car in Your Area
Test Drive an Electric Car in Your Area
Posted 10.18.2011 in Articles by Jessica
Electric Car Test Drive - Test Drive an Electric Vehicle in Your Area
Electric-car-test-drive.com can match you up with free test drives of electric cars in your area. This is the best way to compare the future of transportations, the electric car. Electric-car-test-drive.com narrows down your needs and matches you with the right electric car for your lifestyle. Gas prices are currently hovering over $3.00 per gallon, with the history and potential to return to $4.00 per gallon.
The Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt are at the forefront of the total electric car movement for 2011 and are serious contenders in the automotive marketplace. Both vehicles will be making a showing with affordable sticker prices and attached government incentives and income tax credits ranging around $7,500, along with state rebates and other available tax credits. Go to Electric-car-test-drive.com and receive a referral to test drive a new electric vehicle in your area today.
Electric cars for sale can be found, for the 2011 model year, at any local Chevy, Nissan or Toyota dealer in the country. Although there are only a few EVs on the main automotive market, all car manufacturers are working on cleaner emissions vehicles. Most manufacturers currently offer some form of hybrid vehicle, such as the Prius and the Ford Focus Hybrid, with more and more working on full electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt.
The best electric cars currently on the market are competitively priced to attract buyers. They appeal to the environmentally conscious among consumers who are still looking for comfort and style while improving their carbon footprint. Consumers looking to enter into the EV market should book a test drive at their local dealer and find out for themselves whether electric cars fit their lifestyle.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the first completely electric cars; it does not contain any type of gasoline engine, and is capable of running for 100 miles on a single full charge of its Lithium Ion batteries. It also emits, literally, zero emissions and does not have a tailpipe. Without a tailpipe, there is no noxious spew of any type of fumes into the air. The plus with the Leaf is it can recharge by plugging into a standard three prong household outlet to its charging cord for refueling.
The Nissan Leaf is currently to forerunner for all future electric vehicles, with literally zero emissions, it requires no stops at the filling station. The Leaf runs on a 80 kilowatt AC electric motor, which runs synchronously and with high efficiency. Capable of carrying five passengers, the Leaf has tested out at a top speed of 90 MPH. The 24 kilowatt/hour Lithium Ion battery is charged with an onboard 3.3 kilowatt charger. The plug-in recharging system works with either a 120 volt trickle charger or 240 volt home charging dock or optional 50 kilowatt DC fast charging port.
The entire vehicle is aerodynamically designed for maximum range when running and includes a regenerative braking system that converts power usually lost in braking back into the battery. The environmentally conscious Leaf even utilizes interior cloth upholstery that is partially recycled. As with most vehicles currently on the market, the interior of the Leaf includes connectivity and comfort for the driver and passengers.
The Chevy Volt, much in the same manner as the insanely popular Toyota Prius, is a semi-hybrid electric car with a backup gas motor that can run an alternator to charge the battery on longer range drives. The gas engine is only used to recharge the battery mid-travel; it does not power the drive train of the vehicle. The drive train is only powered by the batteries, with no gas engine assist of any kind.
The Chevy Volt uses an aerodynamically designed exterior and Goodyear Fuel Max tires to allow drivers to get the most out of every charge. In contrast to a gasoline engine vehicle, the Volt provides dual gauges on the dash to indicate battery power and range remaining until the vehicle need a recharge or refueling. When it does require a recharge, the Volt can be programmed to recharge during off-peak electricity hours to take advantage of energy savings. It is also capable, depending on ambient temperature, of being fully charged within ten hours.
The regenerative braking system in the Volt gathers the forward momentum of the vehicle, which is normally lost during braking, and sends it back into the battery for longer driving ranges. One of the most interesting features drivers often have a difficult time getting used to is the lack of engine noise. There is no typical internal combustion engine noise that accompanies 95% percent of the vehicles currently on the road.
The electric vehicle market is one of the fastest growing segments of the automotive world. With 2011 entries, such as the Leaf and the Volt, electric vehicle manufacturers have their eye set on everyone driving electric in the near future. Those who own electric vehicles, or EVs, can look forward to many market innovations, such as the regenerative braking system. Although there are some performance limitations, the best electric cars on the market do not exceed 100 MPH, EVs are perfect for regular city commuting and highway driving. Those with a need for speed may just have to wait a few years for technology to meet their expectations.
With the government looking to clean up the environment, there are many federal, state and local rebates and tax credit available for those who purchase electric vehicles. Purchasers looking to find electric cars for sale need look no further than their local Nissan, Chevy or Toyota dealer for options. Consumers should book a test drive through Electric-Car-Test-Drive.com at their local deal to see if EVs meet or exceed their expectations.