One of the biggest contributors to air pollution in the United States is automobiles. The average passenger vehicle omits almost 9,000 grams of CO2 per gallon of gas burned. The Environmental Protection Agency says that nearly 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are caused by cars.
In May, we celebrate National Clean Air Month. Since 1972, the American Lung Association (ALA) has sponsored Clean Air Week during the month of May to sponsor education about the relation between clean air and respiratory health. This May, as we reflect on all the technological advances our society has made, a future with clean air may finally be in sight.
Electric cars are the wave of the future. Electrical vehicles are automobiles designed to run fully on electric and battery power. Recent advances in technology have made these vehicles more efficient and less environmentally harmful than gas-powered vehicles. However, you may not have known that electric cars are not a new invention. They have been around for nearly 200 years! The first electric vehicle was invented by Robert Anderson in 1832. The first electric cars were crude and provided inefficient speed and mileage before they needed to be recharged. This is why gas-powered vehicles gained popularity over the electric option.
Through modern innovation, electric cars are making a major comeback. Today, electric vehicles require less maintenance and upkeep than gas-powered vehicles. They don’t require fuel to run, so drivers are not dependent on gasoline availability to get out and drive. In addition, users can program electric vehicles to charge at certain times of the day depending on their travel schedule, so drivers don’t need to worry about their batteries dying mid-commute.
Tons of companies are getting in on the electric car hype. According to Kelley Blue Book, major car companies such as BMW, Audi, and Cadillac are all releasing electric lines. Even Apple has released their own electric car!
If you are thinking about investing in an electric car for the future, it may also interest you to know that you can save on more than just gasoline. For some electric vehicle makers, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 when you purchase this type of automobile. Aside from the federal tax credit, there are also other programs at both local and national levels that provide rebates for purchasing an electric vehicle.
Do your wallet and the environment a favor, and research how an electric vehicle may be right for you!
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