Electric Cars - Increasing Numbers

The moves towards increasing the numbers of electric cars (EVs) on the roads is a wonderful way to decrease the amount of fossil fuels used, and the amount of pollution that is released into the air. However they still use electricity, and with a few small changes could be even cleaner than they currently are. Electricity is most commonly derived from burning fossil fuels, just the same as combustion engines gain power from burning fossil fuels.

The difference is that power stations are significantly more efficient at producing power and hence, they are capable of producing more power for every pound of fossil fuel burned than a combustion engine can.

They are also better equipped at handling the pollution, with scrubbers in the towers that clean the pollutants from the power station's emissions. All of this aside, electricity still needs fossil fuels to begin with, and since this is not only a finite resource but also a polluting one, a better alternative is needed. The use of solar power may be a good answer to this problem.

Electricity that is produced by using solar panels is exactly the same as electricity from fossil fuels, and it will power your home or your car in just the same way. The big difference is that it is essentially free, causes no pollution at all, and it does not use up our finite supply of fossil fuels.

There are other benefits to having solar arrays to charge your car. When they are not in use for this purpose the power could be channeled into powering your home, or could even be fed back into the grid. This will help to offset your use of electricity and may earn you credits against the conventional electricity that you use.

There are a number of companies that are researching new technology and developing solar array technology for the EV industry. These and the auto makers themselves aim to build solar charging stations around the various states. They will be incorporated into parking lots, with the EV being parked in a car port that has solar panels built into the roof, and with a charging port with easy access for the owner.

Both Nissan (maker of the Leaf) and Chevrolet (maker of the Volt) have taken steps towards making the production of their EVs more environmentally friendly than they have previously been. Nissan are building a solar charging station with the intention of using it to give the new Leaf cars that are produced their initial charge. Chevrolet is constructing a solar array to do the same.

The two manufacturers will channel power from their solar stations into the manufacturing plant when they are not charging new cars. This will help to supplement the manufacturing process, helping to power lighting, heating and even the factory equipment.

There is no doubt that EVs are a better option than combustion engines. Yet by taking things just that small step further, we can have a truly environmentally friendly vehicle that has no negative impact on our planet.