Tomorrow’s Vehicles

Technologically Proven

Late in 2010 the first mass-produced electric vehicles hit dealer showrooms, bringing car buyers a new transportation option. Electric cars offer performance, safety and versatility and can be charged from the electric grid, providing convenient, low-cost, at-home charging.

The first two mass market models to appear were the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf. General Motors, Nissan, Ford, and Tesla are all selling vehicles now. Most major manufacturers are introducing vehicles or have announced plans to bring various models to market by 2012.

Electric vehicles have the potential to last as long or longer than gasoline automobiles, with less regular maintenance. There are many fewer moving parts in an electric vehicle, and therefore less ongoing preventative maintenance. Brake life is significantly extended since the motor is used to slow the car, recapturing the kinetic energy and storing it back in the battery. Electric motors will outlast the body of the vehicle. Major automakers are offering warranties on the batteries of 8 years or 100,000 miles of driving.

Not only are electric vehicles technologically proven, so is the energy delivery system.  Other widely discussed transportation “fuels of the future” – such as hydrogen – would require many billions of dollars in investment for facilities to make and deliver the fuels.  America’s electricity infrastructure, on the other hand, is fully constructed and among the most reliable in the world.

Electricity generated at coal fueled power plants today is already a far cleaner option for vehicles than burning gasoline.  As coal fueled power plants continue to improve their environmental profiles through technologies such as gasification, that environmental advantage will just get bigger.

Options for Products from Coal Gasification