Turning over a new LEAF in energy independence

In 1996, General Motors released the EV1, an electric vehicle with a range of up to 150 miles per charge. Many consumers jumped on the opportunity to lease the EV1 and loved the vehicle with a passion. Cities began creating an electric vehicle infrastructure with signs pointing drivers to many “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.” Not only did the cars outperform many of the vehicles already on the road, but it met the needs of nearly all Americans. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, the EV1 program ended many years ago.

What is surprising is how far this car would have gone in helping America to break its dependence on foreign oil. The reason that the EV1 is not see on the road has been speculated for years. The documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car? (sold on Amazon, among other sites) shows the many possible suspects. It could be the GM executives who had ties to oil companies or California politicians who made it more of a burden than a benefit to drivers of the electric vehicle or even a popular petroleum company who bought the rights to the EV1′s fuel cell. Nonetheless, the EV1 faded out just as quickly as it faded into the marketplace.

There is hope for the electric car, however. Nissan has developed the “Nissan Leaf,” a zero-emission vehicle powered solely by battery. The Nissan Leaf has 100 miles per charge city. Of course, there have been critics that say the Nissan Leaf does not have enough range. In reality, most Americans never drive over 30 miles per day, let alone 100.

Although the price is still too expensive to save money over the life of the vehicle on fuel, many have high hopes that the Nissan Leaf will be a pioneer in the new age of electronic vehicles. Once the Nissan Leaf comes down in price, it can be safely assumed that this is the first of many steps to cut back the dependence on foreign oil, but however ironic, the one American car company who had already created a worthy electric car, ended its program despite outcries from the public.

As America becomes more energy-independent, I hope that manufacturers of all types of goods continue to create products that help consumers not only curb carbon emissions but also save money.