In today’s world of increasing change, most of us are looking to reduce our carbon footprint. We are recycling, telecommuting, purchasing carbon offsets, carpooling and trying a number of innovative ways to control our impact on the Earth. Major car manufacturers are also finding ways to decrease the effects of human activity on global warming. First introduced worldwide in 2001, the Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle that runs on gasoline and electric power, inspired other car manufacturers to offer hybrid options as well. In addition to exploring the need for hybrid vehicles, many carmakers and home-based inventors working out of their garages have been exploring electric car technology as a viable option that would eliminate the need for gasoline altogether. Demand for options to decrease one’s carbon footprint is up, and major carmakers are now beginning to shift their offerings to meet that demand. As a result, Chrysler will release its first electric car. The carmaker has unveiled three prototypes that it says could be on the market, and thus on the roads, by 2010. Of the three prototypes, the company will release only one as a floor model available for customers to purchase. The three electric cars released by Chrysler include the Dodge EV, the Jeep EV and the Chrysler EV, all part of the company’s ENVI program. Only one of these will be released on the market as a viable option for environmentally-conscious drivers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint. The Dodge EV, the Jeep EV and the Chrysler EV use range-extending technology as well as pure electric technology. Each car uses advanced lithium-ion batteries as well. The company refers to these three vehicles as being â€production intent†and promises to provide a portfolio of electric vehicles to car showrooms by 2010. Though consumers will have to wait for the release of one of the three prototypes, the existing Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) Peapod models will go on sale beginning in 2009. The Peapod is true to its name with a pod-like shape and is battery powered. It is available in six different models and is built for neighborhood use. Its top speed is 25 mph and it can go 30 miles on one complete charge. GEM is a division of Chrysler, and according to the company, 38,000 Peapods are in use today. Though the Peapod offers limited use due to its design as a neighborhood vehicle, the three EV cars offer more options. However, the Dodge EV is the only one of the three that is a pure electric car. The Chrysler EV and the Jeep EV are equipped with gas engines as backup. This gas engine takes over after the vehicles have traveled 40 miles under electric power. The Dodge EV is the best prototype in terms of reducing the driver’s carbon footprint. That’s because it travels 150 to 200 miles under battery power.
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