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As a seventh-grader, James Worden began building electric cars. Throughout high school and college he perfected his designs. Now, at the age of 26, Worden is head of the Solectria electric-car company. He has sold more than seventy of his Force cars so far.

Other companies have also entered the electric-car business. Starting this year, the General Motors Corporation plans to lend drivers 50 of its experimental Impact electric cars. The Impact is a two-seater that can accelerate like a sports car. But the car has its limits. It can be driven only 55 miles at a time, and a driver then must have its batteries recharged. Cooperating utility companies will install battery chargers near the homes of volunteer drivers.

About 1,000 people will drive the Impact for two to four weeks each. General Motors hopes to learn how the car handles under different and more difficult road conditions.

General Motors also wants to prepare the public for electric cars. “Putting the car on the road will show that it’s reliable transportation,” a company spokesperson said.

A california law is spurring the development of the Force, Impact, and other electric cars. That state is the world’s single largest car market. In order to end automobile emission fumes, a California law requires that 2 percent of each car-manufacturer’s California car sales to be electric by the year 1998. Within another five years, the law requires 10 percent of sales to be electric. Other states have followed California with similar laws.

So don’t be surprised if you see an electric car on the road soon. And you may be driving one yourself not long after the year 2000.

InvestorIdeas.com green investor portals report on choices and trends in green cars including Hybrids, Electric, Biofuels, and Fuel Cell cars. As green and ethical consumerism grows to become a global phenomenon, InvestorIdeas.com discusses options and choices available and underway posing the question — Are there enough choices and incentives to create the shift? Electric Car Manufacturer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and R.L. Evans, Director Clean Energy Research Centre, University of British Columbia, help to provide insight into the highways of the future.

At the recent Hydrogen & Fuel Cells 2007Conference held in Vancouver, B.C., Bill Reinert, National Manager TMS Advanced Technologies Group, Toyota Motor Company discussed that, “By 2040, based on the current growth, there will be 2-3 billion cars on the road, up from current numbers of 1 billion, creating environmental problems 4 to 5 times of what they are today.” The projected numbers of population and vehicle growth provide compelling motivation for change.

Consumers looking for green and environmentally friendly automotive choices available in the market today can visit Yahoo! Autos Green Rating and search the Top 100 Cars by Green Rating, developed in consultation with Environmental Defense ( http://www.environmentaldefense.org ). Users can browse through available options in Hybrid - Electric cars, Ethanol cars, Diesel - Biodiesel cars, Natural Gas cars and fuel efficient cars. The rating measures the vehicle’s environmental friendliness from 1 to 100 with the higher a vehicle’s Green Rating, the “greener” it is and the lower its harm to both human health and the planet.

For consumers looking at electric cars, industry players ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and GM with the GM Volt offer both performance and efficiency in the near future.

ZAP, who has been in the electric car market since 1994, has a full line of competitively priced electric vehicles from A to Z ranging from electric scooters, electric ATVs and electric cars and trucks. ZAP is also working with Lotus Engineering to create the ZAP-X ( http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4560 ) utilizing the award-winning APX lightweight aluminium architecture design to achieve unprecedented levels of performance and utility for electric cars. An advanced battery system will enable the car to travel a range up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid charge technology that can recharge the batteries in as little as 10 minutes.

“Thanks to the support our shareholders, with the only series city class electric car in production, ZAP is now uniquely positioned to maximize the current demand due to rising gas prices and concerns of global warming. Priced at around $10,000, electric cars can now not only save the environment, they can save you money,” commented ZAP’s Chairman of the Board, Gary Starr.

GM’s Chevrolet Volt, unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, is anticipated to hit the roads by 2010. The Volt is projected to have a charge time of 6.5 hours featuring 40 miles on just the battery alone with a 640 mile range on a full tank of gas. GM is also offering a green mix of automotive choices with E85 vehicles, Hybrids and is working on Fuel Cell Cars for the future.

In a white paper presented at a joint ASME and ATI meeting in Milan last year titled “HYDROGEN ECONOMY OR ELECTRICITY ECONOMY?” R.L. Evans, Director Clean Energy Research Centre, the University of British Columbia offers his vision of the roads of the future in his Transportation Case Study.

“The successful development and introduction into the marketplace of the ‘Plug-in hybrid vehicle’ would mark the beginnings of a significant new transportation Paradigm, eliminating the need for road vehicles to use petroleum fuels, at least for the Majority of miles traveled. If electricity were to be generated primarily from sustainable Primary energy sources, then road transportation would also become sustainable and would result in an ‘Electricity Economy’, rather than a ‘Hydrogen Economy’.

“Much of the development work on batteries has been driven by the successful introduction in the last few years of hybrid electric vehicles (or HEV’s). Hybrid vehicles have been very successfully introduced into the market, initially in compact cars, but the technology is now spreading to larger cars and sport utility vehicles where the benefit of much greater fuel economy will be particularly welcome.”

Consumers can catch up on what is available in new Hybrids for 2007 by visiting the Government web site FuelEconomy.Gov — http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_news.shtml . The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid currently being promoted offers additional features such as a 12 percent reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels inside the vehicle and has seating surfaces made from 100 percent post-industrial materials.

Luxury auto manufactures see the need to offer performance as well as address environmental concerns and there are several available and in the pipeline for brand conscious consumers. Mercedes-Benz’s Bluetec system in a new line of diesel-engines reduces emissions but offer drivers 700+ miles on a single tank of gas. BMW has turned green with the new Hydrogen 7, but it is not currently available to the general public.

In addition to the work with ZAP and the electric cars, Lotus has entered the biofuels market with the Lotus Exige 265E running on E85 with a 264 horsepower with 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds — no compromise for going green. Biofuels, while offering a green alternative however are projected to never be able to meet the capacity of the growing global auto market.

About Our Green Investor Portals:

www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com ®, www.FuelCellCarNews.com ®, www.EnvironmentStocks.com , www.Water-Stocks.com and www.GreentechInvestor.com are global investor and industry research portals that look at the renewable energy, water and greentech sectors. The portals do not make stock recommendations, but feature industry and stock news, exclusive articles and financial columnists, audio interviews, investor conferences, Blogs, and a directory of stocks in the sector.

April Rohrer of Fargo, ND, will cruise the back roads of America for taking her life by the handlebars. Today Rohrer was introduced as the grand-prize winner of the first Spirit of Freedom Contest sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company (NYSE: HDI) and Jane magazine at the 65th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Harley-Davidson and Jane magazine launched the Spirit of Freedom Contest to recognize women who embody a spirit of adventure through small gestures, inner strength and every-day selfless acts. Two-hundred word essay nominations were judged on a commitment to regularly celebrate independence; involvement in motivating women to take control of their lives; and facing and overcoming challenges.

Rohrer, who has served 18 months in Iraq as a member of the North Dakota National Guard, was chosen as the Spirit of Freedom winner in part because of her continued efforts to help those less fortunate and drive to meet her goal of becoming a registered nurse. As the winner of the Spirit of Freedom Contest, Rohrer received a new Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low, Rider’s Edge New Rider Course training and a trip to the 65th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

“After hearing April’s story, it was evident that she has helped and inspired many with her courage, independence and spirit,” said Kathleen Lawler, vice president of communication at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Harley-Davidson and Jane magazine are proud to recognize her as the Spirit of Freedom Contest winner and hope her example will help motivate even more women to embrace independence, crave adventure and give to those in need.”

APRIL’S STORY

In 2002, Rohrer enlisted in the Army National Guard to serve her country and secure financing to become a registered nurse. While spending 18 months in Iraq, April and her unit volunteered for combat medic duties on hundreds of missions, tending to severely wounded soldiers and Iraqi civilians. She also befriended an Iraqi mother of six who had lost her husband during the war fighting alongside American soldiers.

After returning home at the age of 22, Rohrer and members of her unit tirelessly aided the effort to bring her Iraqi friend and her seven children, including a newborn named April, to America and to safety. After helping save hundreds of lives, Rohrer is now working and attending college to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

April was nominated for the Spirit of Freedom Contest by her mother, Barbara Bronstad. “I’m truly honored to be recognized by Harley-Davidson and Jane magazine,” said Rohrer. “While I must admit that I’m anxious to get out on the open road on my new Harley, I hope my story will inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.”

MORE WOMEN HITTING THE OPEN ROAD

More and more women embrace the open road. In fact, the Motorcycle Industry Council reports that women now represent one in 12 U.S. motorcycle owners. The number of female Harley-Davidson owners has grown from only 600 in 1985 to more than 30,000 last year — accounting for nearly 10 percent of new Harley buyers.

Helping fuel the growth of the sport among women is the Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge program, which teaches basic riding skills at select Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country. Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 40,000 people have learned to ride a motorcycle, and 42 percent of the students are women.

Visit www.harley-davidson.com to learn more about Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Spirit of Freedom Contest.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.

The idea of environmentally friendly electric vehicles may seem like a future trend but it has been going on for decades. It is expected that in the near future they will become as mainstream as the microwave oven because of their enormous potential to help our environment as well as reduce our dependence upon gasoline.

In fact, electric vehicles are more common today than most people realize. For example, the global leader in electric lift trucks sold its first electric model in the U.S. in 1975, and today 60 percent of lift trucks sold in the U.S. are electric. “This is a reverse of 20 years ago when the split was 60 percent gas and 40 percent electric,” said Brett Wood, national product development, strategic planning and marketing services manager for Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. Inc. Ninety-nine percent of its lift trucks sold in the U.S. are assembled in North America.

Environmental Benefits

The Environmental Protection Agency says half the nation lives where air quality is designated “unhealthy” at some time in the year. Fortunately, electric vehicles can contribute to a cleaner environment. Electric lift trucks offer an advantage to businesses whose products are sensitive to heat or emissions, such as those in the food industry.

Improved Performance And Cost-Savings

Electric lift trucks are almost as fast as internal combustion models but are more economical over the long run due to reduced maintenance requirements and longer lifespans. Because these trucks contain fewer movable parts, maintenance costs and related downtime are reduced significantly.

Popular Vehicles

According to a prominent global marketing information company, hybrid automobile sales will exceed 500,000 in the next five to 10 years. Why? Perhaps because electric-drive hybrids can do more with less. They provide everything today’s conventional vehicles do but with much more mileage and much less pollution.

Mileage and ultra-low emissions aren’t the only advantages of new hybrids. Electric-drive hybrids boost the motor’s output by 50 percent and add more torque to the wheels. So the hybrid goes from zero-to-60 miles per hour in 10.1 seconds.

Fortunately, both businesses and consumers are doing their part and enjoying the performance, environmental and financial advantages of electric vehicles. To that end, a new Environmental Assistance network has been launched to provide Toyota Industrial Equipment’s lift truck dealers with environmental management information. The training materials, referrals and toll-free hotline are similar to the program set up for automotive dealers.

Tired of paying more and more for gas? Fuel prices this year have been at the highest levels in 25 years, and with world demand for oil higher than ever, they most likely won’t decrease any time soon.

According to Zap, a publicly owned company based in California that manufactures an array of electric vehicles, one of the best ways to beat rising gas prices is to buy and drive an electric car.

Gas cars use about 10 cents’ worth of fuel for every mile, whereas electric cars use only 3 cents’ worth. That means an electric car can travel three times as far as a gasoline car for the same money. Other Zap vehicles, like its electric bicycles, use about a penny’s worth of gas for every five miles and achieve an average fuel efficiency of more than 1,000 miles per gallon.

Driving an electric car is not only good for your pocketbook, it is good for the environment. Electric cars emit 98 percent less pollution than gas cars, even after accounting for power-plant emissions. This can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists say contribute to global warming and climate change.

(Electric vehicles are available directly from Zap at www.zapworld.com, and start as low as $300 for an electric bike or scooter and $5,000 for an electric car.

Zap also is beginning to market “smart” cars, which are some of the smallest and most fuel-efficient gas cars available. While small cars seem to have become an endangered species in the U.S., Zap is aiming to bring them back into vogue, which can help reduce gas prices and air pollution.