Electric cars hit the road - automobile industry develops electric cars
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.