Electric Vehicles: Transportation of the Future?
Kinda Smells Musky
Published: 6/23/2021
By: Josh Grant
When people mention an electric vehicle, my mind will typically go to the Tesla vehicle company, ran by Elon Musk. Electric vehicles have been taking the world by storm since Elon Musk released the Tesla Roadster in 2008. It got about 244 miles on a single charge, had a 0-60 of 3.9 seconds, and cost almost $110,000. These first roadsters were only available by preorder, and the first one hundred had sold out within three weeks. Tesla has most definitely come a long way from just selling their original Roadster and has now expanded their selection. Their current line-up of cars includes sedans and SUVs, with their future Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, and new Roadster all available for preorder.
Tesla was the first company to bring attention to the electric vehicle market, causing large car companies to follow suit. Companies like Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, and Chevrolet have released their version of electric cars or hybrid vehicles. That being said, those who prefer it will be phasing out of the fossil fuel chugging gas engines and into electric-powered vehicles. Although electric vehicles typically cost more, most people prefer the simplicity of plugging it in at home and not paying for gas every month. Electricity can be cheaper than gas in most circumstances, and in the long run, it can save you more money in your travels than your typical electric vehicle.
I would love to own a Tesla one day, but I am riding a Ninebot electric scooter in the meantime. Riding this scooter to work every day has been an absolute blast. With a top speed of 15.5 MPH and a range of 15 miles, it has made commuting to work a breeze. It is fast, convenient, and saves me money on gas each month. I hop on the Little Miami Scenic Trail, and I can make it to work in the same amount of time as traveling by car would take.
Ninebot not only makes dope scooters but many other products. These include (the very well known) Segway, as well as go-karts and even mopeds that reach speeds of 50+ MPH. Ninebot was founded in 1999 but started gaining market popularity in 2015. That is when they acquired Segway and started focusing more on consumer products. These products not only make your commute faster but also 10x more fun. Like power wheels for adults, these electric toys are used by many as toys. They also offer the dual purpose of speeding up your walking commute if you live in a big city or near a bike trail. If you’ve ever been to a typical cityscape, you’ve seen these scooters. They typically cost a small fee to ride, and you can zip around the city and leave them when you are done.
All things considered, electric vehicles are pretty sweet. Whether you use an electric car as a daily driver or an electric scooter, you are guaranteed to have a good time with one. As technology continues to develop, so do batteries and electric motors. You can expect to see newer, nicer versions of electric cars on the road quite soon, as the big-name companies release their latest versions. Whether you are just trying to go greener or just looking to buy a new electric toy, I think everybody can find an excellent use for an electric vehicle.
Fun Facts™
• Electric cars have lower maintenance and running costs since there is no oil to change and fewer moving parts as a typical combustion engine.
• Most electric cars don’t have gears. Due to the nature of the engine, there is no transmission. Only a motor that produces a consistent amount of torque at any given RPM within a specific range.
• The first Tesla roadster qualified for government incentives in some nations. Such as tax rebates, tax credits, and tax exemptions.
• The new Tesla Roadster (not yet released) has a 0-60 of 1.9 seconds, beating out all gas sports cars by 0.3-0.6 seconds. It also has a range of 620 miles (like what?!) and a top speed of 250+ MPH. It is only tied in its 0-60 by the 2021 Koenigsegg Gemera at 1.9 seconds.
• Braking in an electric car can recharge your battery insmall amounts by a method called regenerative braking.
Context
Thoughts
– What is your ideal method (or preferred) of transport?
– Do you think electric cars will eventually outperform gas/combustion cars? How do you think that would impact society?
– Would you consider owning/driving an electric vehicle? If so, why?
