Getting Ready for the "Green Car" Revolution
They're the hi-tech cars of the future and they're slowly but surely starting to hit the market across the country.
There's Nissan's all-electric Leaf, G-M's hybrid Volt and Ford's new Focus Electric.
But the cost of "Going Green" may come with a stiff price that will change the way we drive.
Chevy's Volt carries a base price of about $41,000. But there's also a $75-hundred dollar tax credit.
It's got a battery range of about 50 miles, and then uses its' gas engine to generate electricity for several hundred miles more range.
A full recharge takes about 8-10 hours using a regular 110 outlet, and it still needs premium gas to run its' power generating system when the battery's run down.
Nissans' leaf is a true all-electric.
It sells for about $33,000 and is also eligible for the $7500 tax credit.
It has a range of about 100 miles before it has to be recharged.
plug it into a regular wall outlet and a full charge will take about 18-20 hours.
but an extra-cost charger, using a special high voltage line cuts it down to about 8.
Steve Cercierri of Tamarac recently test drove both new cars and liked them.
He found "They handled nicely, and I'm use to driving Corvettes and Camaros. When it came to road feel, there wasn't much difference from any other car I've driven."
But Steve found out no matter how badly he wants to "Go Green", he can't just yet.
That's because the latest Hi-tech Energy Efficient cars are not yet available around South Forida.
In fact, it turns out Florida will be one of the last states in the country to get them and possibly later this year at the earliest.
What's the problem?
No "electrical infrastructure", there's no place publically to recharge them.
That's because Florida, unlike several other states taking part in the "Green Revolution", just hasn't gotten ready for them yet.
And there's another problem: Anyone without a garage, including millions of Florida condo and apartment residents, currently have no way of recharging them.
And with the economy as tough as it is, private businesses and condo associations may be reluctant to spend big bucks for public chargers.
It's all part of the latest tough questions being asked all over the country: What comes first, electric cars or their charger stations?
carmakers say they hope to start marketing their new "Green" Electric Vehicles around South Florida by the end of the year.
They can be recharged using household current in about 20 hours, or faster using special high-voltage charging stations. And FP&L is starting to market Electric Car charging systems around South Florida.
