The Future Possibilities of Electric Vehicles and Increased Fuel Efficiency

SANTEE, CA, September 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) With gas prices once again approaching record levels and U.S. government regulations mandating 54.5 average MPG by 2025, car manufacturers are now harnessing advanced technologies to safe consumers money and lower dependence on fossil fuels. From all-electric vehicles to hybrids and modern, clean-burning diesels, consumers have more options to choose from than ever before to save money at the pump while doing a small part to save the planet from global warming.

Electric Cars: More Viable in the Years to Come

The world's automakers and innovators made huge strides throughout the last decade in electric powertrain technology. For the first time, electric cars have become a viable transportation option for some drivers. But there's a problem for the rest of us: driving range.

As an international electric car charging infrastructure grows, and it will, consumers will be able to fill up to 80 percent capacity in 20 to 30 minutes with technology that is already available today. Experimental technology allows for wireless conductive charging while parked, allowing the mind to conceive of special EV lanes that literally charge as you drive. That technology is promising, but the picture today is a bit different.

Electric cars like the Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Ford Focus Electric, and Honda Fit EV can only travel for around 65 to 100 miles when fully charged. That just doesn't cut it for dwellers in suburban or rural areas, or those with long commutes. Charging takes just a few hours, but once the car is out of juice, it's not as simple as just visiting the pump.

Tesla Motors should receive special note for being the first to offer consumer electric cars that have made some progress on the "range anxiety" front. The new Tesla Model S electric luxury sedan is rated by the EPA at 265 miles of range on average, when fitted with the optional larger battery. This is plenty for the average driver to use on a daily basis, but to get that 265 mile range requires forking over close to $100,000.

Clean Diesel: Environmentally Friendly Technology Today

Today's diesel engines smash the commonly held myths that diesels need be polluting, smelly and loud. With advances led by Mercedes-Benz among others, modern turbodiesels meet U.S. 50-state emissions as well as European regulations, and indeed usually put less C02 into the environment than comparably powered gasoline engines.

The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC clean diesel system uses an advanced urea injection system that literally cleans exhaust gasses before they are released into the environment. The BlueTEC tank is periodically refilled when the car is taken in to a Mercedes service center. Licensed independent Mercedes service centers, like Import Auto Service, usually can fill the BluTEC system as well. These high-torque engines offer great performance with better fuel efficiency than luxury car gasoline engines.

Clean diesel represents an advanced more earth-friendly technology that is viable for any driver right now. While electric cars may be the future, their limited range, high cost and lack of public recharging infrastructure makes them a poor choice for some groups of drivers.

Import Auto Service is an independent service provider for import automobiles in San Diego, CA. We build strong relationships with our customers, and because we are committed to customer satisfaction, our service sells itself by word of mouth - one customer at a time.

Website: http://www.importautosantee.com/