Charged Up about the Future of Electric Cars

Some car companies are trying to slow down global warming. They are also trying to help people by selling cars that meet most people’s needs. However, most people don’t know that these companies have been trying to sell electric cars for over 100 years.

This is not the first time in history electric cars have become popular. The first prototype of an electric car was made in Scotland in 1832. In New York City, in the early 1900’s, electric cars were more popular that gas cars. Electric cars were easy to start. They did not have to be started by cranking a stiff handle, as was the case for gas cars. People liked the smooth quiet ride. Also, an electric car exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Then, electric car companies were trying to attract the attention of well off people so they made the price of the cars up to $1,750, which is up to $50,000 today. They failed miserably at the attempt. At the same time, there had been an oil rig founded in Texas which made gas cars more popular because gas was cheaper. That made gas cars popular. Also, electric cars didn’t have the good range like gas cars. Electric cars were fading away and were almost extinct by 1935. Then, they made a comeback.

Around 1960, people found out the effect of using gas. Smog, smoke, and global warming are all caused by the stinky, smelly, gas. Then, in 1970-1972, there was an energy crisis. Other countries wouldn’t give their oil. The world needed electric cars, since the cars didn’t pollute as much. So, in the 1980’s electric cars came back in style

The GM EV1 was a revolutionary electric car created in the 90’s that could have changed the world forever. Instead, gas stations and other car companies stressed and pressured the company making the car. Also, some people weren’t ready for the change. The company took all the cars back before they put it on market. Instead of putting the cars in warehouses, they didn’t risk someone copying the design and they smashed the GM EV1. Then they put the cars in a restricted, abandoned land somewhere in Arizona.

30 years later, our president Barack Obama says that by 2020, there will be charging stations coast to coast. One car that may change the way we look at electric cars is the Nissan Leaf. It can travel for 107 miles with only one charge. It also meets the needs of a driver 90% of the time. It cost $15,000-$30,000. Another is the Tesla. Although it is expensive, and can vary from $80,000-$100,000, it is an ideal car that is like a sports car. Maybe they should make the cost lower. It could restart the same problem 100 years ago.

Before we can safely say electric cars will stay in style, we must know some obstacles. These include that they can’t go very far, that other car companies and gas stations will pressure them and it is expensive. But it is worth it. Also, the energy for electric cars come from power plants. The power plants still let out carbon into the atmosphere. We need an alternative power source. But it is better than driving gas cars and speeding up global warming.

Overall, my report states that electric cars were popular twice, and people can fix the mistakes they’ve made before. We can change the world!

Riddle

What can lift a thousand pounds a thousand meters, but can fit in a teacup.

A. Water

B. Dirt

C. Oil

D. Carrots

E. Cats

Answer : C, Oil

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