With gas prices now at a historical high of $2 a gallon, it seems there is no end to when these numbers will max out. Maybe it's time to take a look at the alternative - electric cars.Also called Hybrid automobiles, electric cars can cut fuel costs more than half.
Just a few years ago very few had even heard of the hybrid car. In fact, when they were first introduced into the public they appeared like something more out of a futuristic movie. Yet, these electric cars have continued to grow in popularity as consumers become interested in saving money at the pump.
Electric cars have engines that will always run at optimum efficiency. Their job is to produce electricity to charge the batteries which then run the electric part of the car.
While fuel efficient, these cars are still really high priced. However, lobbyists have continued to push Congress and state legislatures to pass regulations that would bring down the price of these types of vehicles.
The biggest problem the hybrid car has is selling the idea to consumers. This may be another reason why auto dealers only annually sell an average of 30 a year. But as gas prices continue to grow, it's likely the idea of a hybrid car will take off and annual sales will increase. As this happens, the price of the car will be forced down making it more feasible for the common man to buy.
Besides electric powered cars, auto-makers have experimented with other types of hybrid vehicles that may someday have potential as transportation. One option includes creating a hybrid automobile that has an engine that would run off natural gas.
Other ideas on the horizon are fuel cell automobiles that still react with fuel and air, but don't produce the emissions that combustion engines do; The hydrogen possibility and solar prospect.
