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[madgal]

Seventy-eight percent of commuters drive 40 miles or less to and from work.(1) If we could change the technology behind these daily drives, imagine how much gasoline and money we could save while helping reduce emissions. It might be possible with a vehicle capable of running on electricity, E85, biodiesel and gasoline fuels.

The New Electric Vehicle

Introducing a new kind of electric vehicle — Concept Chevy Volt. It’s unlike any previous EV (electric vehicle), thanks to its innovative rechargeable electric drive system and range-extending power source. It can be configured to run on electricity, gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. So you have at least a couple of options for the most efficient drive — all made possible by GM’s innovative E-Flex Propulsion System.

Features You Can Use

Off-the-line torque is instantaneous, giving you responsive acceleration. Plus, this four- to five-passenger sport sedan still maintains the passenger and cargo capacities of a production car.(2) You'll also enjoy the benefits of features you've grown to expect — driver and front passenger air bags(3) and the StabiliTrak Stability Control System, for instance — as well as new convenience features allowing you to charge certain small electronic devices without plugging them in.

Concept Chevy Volt is just another way Chevy is working to bring you drivable and practical vehicles that help decrease our dependence on petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This major advancement in existing technology will make it possible for those short, up to 40-mile or less commutes to be gasoline-free.

Although they may seem brilliant in fact they are not. According to a family friend (who is a fireman), he says they are a lot more dangerous when in an accident. Because they run on electric and also diesel, when in an accident the electric and the diesel collide and you have a fire. If someones trapped inside, tough luck, not gonna get out alive. And also its not a simple water on fire for the firemen either. (And the toxic fumes do nothing for the enviroment)

[jiltedcitizen]

It is an issue, but no more of one with petrol cars.  Gas explodes and burns too.  Batteries will have to meet set crash standards as well. 

[madgal]

Yes but its aparently a lot more dangerous as you have more than one explosive material.

[jiltedcitizen]

Eh it will be made safe.  Generally your laptop batteries or other batteries don't explode on impact.  And gas and battery material is more flammable than explosive. 

[madgal]

but then again the biodiesel is a liquid not like the batteries in your laptop.

[Blue-sky]

I think the first sentence in the original quote says a lot, "Seventy-eight percent of commuters drive 40 miles or less to and from work". My own view on this is that we should be making the effort to improve the services of public transport and making it more cost effective,reliable, comfortable and safe for people to use. I think that would be better than using one vehicle per person (OK some might be sharing) no matter how clean the vehicle is. After all, one full bus is one vehicle but it could take a lot of the road.

[Green Goddess]

I have been debating the effectiveness of public transport and whether or not it is environmentally viable on http://www.globalwarmingforum.co.uk on this link:

http://www.globalwarmingforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,28.0.html

Some people seem to think public transport cannot cope with demand and that it still causes pollution so is a waste of time. What does everyone else think. On the GlobalWarmingForum.co.uk they have an area just to discuss cars and the environment.

[jiltedcitizen]

Public transport is great, if people use it.  If 1 person takes the bus then yes it is a huge waste.

[Synergy]

I heard something like this on the news not to long ago.  I heard some cars have an electrical wire that runs from front to back of the car.  If the rescuers had to use the jaws of life to get someone out of this car, the victim would be electrocuted.  Also heard the batteries are more or just as toxic as if you used a regular gas powered car.  There is always something wrong with something.

[green8659]

Some people seem to think public transport cannot cope with demand and that it still causes pollution so is a waste of time. What does everyone else think.

I think it depends on how a city spends its money.  If the local government is smart it could go far I think.  I live in a city that has a horrible mass transit system.  There are about 350,000 in my city and I only see one bus a week.  We have the stops there is just not enough money in city coffers to keep the buses on the road I guess.

[jiltedcitizen]

Well my City's system won some award-http://cata.org/news/APTA_Award.html  They have a number of hydrogen bus's and hybrids.  But I still could not take the bus to work and make it within an hour...while a car ride is 15 minutes with heavy traffic.  There are no direct routes. 

[doomedpr0digy]

electric cars are the future

[jiltedcitizen]

I agree the problem is batteries.  Physics is a bitch like that.

[musicfreak313]

Batteries usually age as well. Costs money there to replace them. Biodiesel I'm uncertain since I've only seen the documentary about it. http://www.fieldsoffuel.com/

[Kate Johnson]

 Electric cars  are sometimes dangerous. There are chances of major accidents. I
personally feel the car manufacturer must take every measure to produce safer cars .They also must meet all possible international standards. But one must not
forget that  eventhough we travel in electric trains we never worry of any accidents. We just board and travel comfortably. Since petrol cars cause damage to the enviornment electric cars have proved to be the best alternative.However
electric cars must be made more safer and user friendly.
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Kate Johnson

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[Greenrewards]

I think , that generally cars are useful in contrysides and places with great distances, but using them in crowded cities is 'out of mind', regardless pollution issue. electic ones are maybe better, but what to do with 'used battieries'? Dump them along with plastic bags?

[jiltedcitizen]

Recycle them.  Who is going to throw away a $5000 battery?