Written by Sarah McClure for Your Daily Thread
Car manufactures across the globe made their biggest display of hybrid and electric vehicles ever at the North American International Auto Show.
This year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) proved that carmakers are finally getting the shock they needed to start building a sustainable and fuel-efficient future that includes hybrid and plug-in electric models. Many of these cars, available in 2012, got our eco-engines purring.
GM
If you aren’t convinced enough carmakers are reviving the electric car, know that NAIAS named the Chevy Volt as Car of the Year. GM’s electrifying model stands out for its ability to also run on a gas-powered engine (commonly a hybrid quality). The 10-hour charging time will cost $1.50 and give you 25-50 miles at a time—a steal for its $33,000 price tag.
Ford
Ford, the only U.S. automaker to avoid a government bailout, had the world’s largest display ever at the Detroit show, including its new family of electric vehicles. “We’re focusing on fuel efficiency of vehicles; we introduced EcoBoost and our Hybrids, plug-in Hybrids and electric, and reduced CO2 emissions by 20 percent,” says Sue Cischke, Ford Global Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. (Plus, we were surprised and excited to learn its Dearborn, MI factory boasts the world’s largest living roof!)
Ford Focus Electric (EV): Ford’s first-ever emissions-free, battery electric passenger car; pricing starts at an affordable $30,000.
C-Max Energi: The 107-year-old company’s first plug-in hybrid electric car, offering a driving range of 500 miles.
C-Max Hybrid: A highly fuel-efficient sedan offering 45 mpg and delivering more miles per gallon than the Fusion Hybrid.
Toyota
Toyota announced a smaller Prius, and to compete with Chevy’s Volt, introduced the Plug-in Hybrid (PHV)—compared to the regular Hybrid, PHV can run longer (13 miles) in electric-only mode. Rechargeable in just three hours from an ordinary 110-volt outlet (less than what most clothes dryers require). Also in development: A charge cable for 220-volt outlets that’ll recharge PHV in an hour-and-a-half.
Volkswagen
This concept car isn’t available until 2014, but the German carmaker’s Golf Blue e-motion is promising a driving range of 93 miles by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, conveniently plugged at the front hood.
Volvo
Competitive with the Blue e-motion, Volvo C30 EV, an all-electric sedan offers a driving range of 95 miles with an 8-hour charge by a 220-volt outlet. Best known for safety, the Swedish carmaker debuted the first actual crash-tested model at NAIAS to demonstrate how its sleek 24 kWh-lithium battery would remain intact.
Honda
Having made its debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November 2010, the Honda Fit EV is perfect for those daily metropolitan commuters with a healthy driving range of 100 miles. Drivers can influence fuel efficiency by choosing between Econ, Normal, and Sport driving modes. The Fit is rechargeable in 12 hours by a 220-volt outlet. Another great option for short all-electric trips is the Honda Plug-in Hybrid.
Got the electric car bite? If you were a fan of Who Killed the Electric Car, the same documentarian is putting out Revenge of the Electric Car this spring.
