Transportation & Land Use
Electric cars are an attainable, affordable reality
An essential part of achieving energy independence and solving global warming is moving to a transportation system that is powered by clean, renewable electricity instead of oil. Long-term electrification means not only supporting more electric rail transit, but also moving forward with plug-in hybrid electric cars and eventually, 100 percent electric cars.
A world where people drive around in cars completely powered by electricity may seem unattainable, but is it? Better Place—a company working to create a market-based transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles—has built a model that connects electric vehicle technology with the necessary infrastructure and a smart electric grid.
To make electric cars as convenient as conventional gasoline cars, the company proposes a nationwide network of plug-in outlets supplemented by battery-exchange stations where you can simply exchange your depleted battery with a fully charged battery (in less time than it normally takes to fill up a gasoline tank). To make them as affordable as conventional cars, Better Place separates the cost of the battery from the cost of the car. Rather than paying for the battery up front, consumers purchase a service plan for the battery and its use similar to the way that we pay for cell phones. They are already making it happen in Israel, Denmark, Australia, the San Francisco bay area, and Hawaii. Watch Better Place founder Shai Aggasi explain his electric vehicle vision.
One of the best parts about electric vehicles is that they can come in every shape and size to meet different market demands. These options on Treehugger run the gamut from sports car to sedan and beyond! HybridCars also offers an impressive overview of the electric car market. Or how about a plug-in service van?
The private market is hungry to move forward with electric vehicles, and there are important policy steps that can support the transition. A bill at the Minnesota Legislature this year would provide an important first step in electric vehicle infrastructure. With private investment and public policy, we could soon be powering our cars from wind and solar energy generated right here in Minnesota!