Next generation of green cars

Well, slowly but surely the auto industry is starting to really get on board with ‘going green’. No I am not talking about those so-called ‘green-SUVs’, but about such announcements as the new Chevy Volt or the Telsa Roadster? Both of these cars are 100% electric unlike the hybrids of today that run on gas with an ‘electric’ assist. Believe me, I have nothing against the hybrids because they are definitely 100 times better than our traditional cars, but I am also very excited about seeing the re-emergence of the electric cars.

The Chevy Volt is just a concept car at this point, but it will hopefully be available sometime before 2010. It is designed to get about 150 mpg and will work with flex-fuel. The important thing to note here is that yes it does take gas, but the gas engine is only used to charge the battery, and NOT power the car. At night, you can just plug your car into a standard electric outlet and let it charge up.

Want something a little sportier? Take a look at the Telsa Roadster. It is again 100 % electric, and will be available for sale in 2008. At a price tag of around $98,000, it may be a little out of range for most of us, but hey, it is a VERY nice looking sports car.

Not into the all electric cars? Well I have read a couple articles about a tiny two-seater that could be brought over from Europe. It is about half the size of a traditional small car, and gets around 40 mpg with a traditional non-hybrid engine.

Another concept car that I read about from India is being designed to run off compressed-air. What a wonderful concept! Imagine pulling up to the filling station and filling your car up with compressed air. No more ‘explosive’ fuels to burn or give off toxic exhausts. I hope this idea can catch on!

So as you can see the next generation of cars has real promise for the future. If you are in the market for a new car and are interested in taking a bite out of your weekly fuel bill, then consider any of the ‘green’ vehicles currently available. The more we invest in these vehicles now, the more the car manufactures will continue to invest in these types of vehicles. Then again, this is just life according to Troy.