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Better Tech Advances May Drive


Eco-Transportation Mainstream by Brita Belli


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NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/survey 24 NA Twin Cities Edition W


ith the opening of three new Supercharger stations for its luxury Model S on


the East Coast last January, electric carmaker Tesla now operates a total of nine stations serving its electric sedan owners between San Fran- cisco and Los Angeles and between Boston and Washington, D.C. That same month, Nissan an- nounced plans to add 500 public stations for electric vehicle (EV) fast- charging, which provide 80 percent of a charge in less than 30 minutes, tripling the number of such stations by mid-2014, including the first ones in our nation’s capital. It also aims to increase the presence of charging sta- tions at workplaces. These steps in the growth in


infrastructure are easing Americans’ transition from gas-powered to electric and hybrid cars. Already, more than 7,000 public charging stations dot the country, from Custer, Washington, to Key West, Florida (plan a route at Tinyurl.com/ MobileChargingStations). Meanwhile, most EV owners simply charge up at home.


Driving Excitement Excitement has risen in recent years as electric car manufacturers have


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rolled out more affordable, family- friendly versions like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Honda is testing its Fit EV in 2013; with only 1,100 available to lease, opportunities to try out the fun, sporty car are at a pre- mium. These models offer considerable fuel efficiency, easy charging and even apps to check their charge, yet eco- vehicles continue to represent a fraction of overall car sales.


In a 2012 report, the U.S. Energy


Information Administration noted that fewer than 10,000 EVs were sold in 2011. While sales of all-electric ve- hicles improved slightly in the first half of 2012, dealers saw nowhere near the major jump produced by plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius. Obstacles to a stronger EV sales


upswing include purchase price, charg- ing time and driver anxiety about range. “The battery is a big reason the cars are expensive,” says Jim Motavalli, author of High Voltage: The Fast Track to Plug in the Auto Industry. “More public charging is coming,” he adds, “but it doesn’t mat- ter as much as a cheaper upfront cost and longer range—200 miles plus—in- stead of the standard 100 now.”


Mass Transit Almost any form of public transporta- tion can run on alternative power—


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