The New Electric Cars for 2013
The Prius and Leaf are the current most popular electric cars. Chevy Volt is still on the fringe. In the coming year, several mainstream auto makers will offer their take on electric cars and the facing the same issues of battery life and travel distance.
Electric cars are still a novelty unless you are able to work or your world consists of less than 100 miles. It also helps to have a gas car around for those really long trips you know recharging an electric car will be an issue. Most electrics are snails. It is akin to being stuck behind a VW bug back in the 60-70's- you couldn't wait to pass them!
LA, SF, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento might be better places for the electric than living miles from a main urban area. Some new electrics to consider are:
- Fiat 500e - $25,000
- Chevy Spark - $25,000
- BMW i3 - $48,000
The Fiat has a range of 80-100 miles with a 111 hp motor and can recharge within four hours. Most of the other features are similar to the gas model.
The Chevy Spark has 130 hp motor and batteries that can last 100K and goes from 0 to 60 in eight seconds. This is similar to many gas engines.
The BMW i3 has the range of the Fiat and can recharge in under 30 minutes and has doors that open like the old 1964 Lincoln Continental. Its motor is a 170 hp, making it by far the most powerful of all electrics. It goes from 0-60 in four seconds! Its cargo area is 200 liters.
