The Electric Car Revolution

Jan. 18, 2015

"We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue/and then we’ll take it higher"¦" – Eddy Grant

When Grant sang his Top 10 U.S./U.K. hit "Electric Avenue" in the early "˜80s, he probably never expected the song’s chorus would be co-opted decades later as a theme for a different kind of revolution.

But a revolution is what electric cars are rapidly becoming. Gas prices remain unstable, air pollution is worsening and cars are clogging our roadways in a country where a high-speed rail system is virtually nonexistent. We need more cost-effective, environmentally friendly ways to travel.

Electric cars get their power from electric motors, with the energy generally provided by rechargeable battery banks (or solar power, although those are usually referred to as solar cars).

Quiet and fast, the cars’ only real limitation seems to be travel range; many need to be recharged after only 60 to 80 miles unless they also use gas as fuel (known as a hybrid).

But improved batteries and power systems, plus wider acceptance of electric cars and the installation of more recharging stations across the country, have resulted in more electric car options than ever before.

While the Tesla S and X models (www.teslamotors.com) remain the gold standard of electric vehicles – with luxury interiors and a 270-mile range on a full charge–priced around $80,000, they’re above the average person’s budget. With this in mind, we brought you a half-dozen great, averagedpriced electric vehicle options to choose from.

VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF

$36,300 – 83-mile range – www.vw.com/e-golf

As the commercials say, it looks like a VW Golf and drives like a Golf, complete with the familiar Golf hatchback.

But alongside that German engineering is an efficient electric system with three driving modes – normal, eco and ecoplus – for every travel need you might have. Other bonuses include LED daytime running lights, blue accent styling unique to the E-Golf, a heated windshield and seats, a top-notch navigation system and VW’s Car-Net connected car feature. It’s no wonder the E-Golf has already earned Motor Trend’s 2015 Car of the Year award.

FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC

$29,170 – 76-mile range – www.ford.com

Powered by a lithium-ion battery and offering the recognizable styling of Ford cars, the Focus Electric is a good transition point for those moving from traditional vehicles to electric, as there’s a sense of familiarity. Helpful additions like a reverse sensing system and security approach lamps add to the Focus’ friendly appeal, while the MyKey feature lets you program individual keys to particular settings depending on who’s driving; automatic transmission keeps things simple. This car may be far more evolved than the traditional Focus, but it still looks like America.

CHEVROLET SPARK EV

$26,685 – 82-mile range – www.chevrolet.com

Chevy calls the Spark "pure electric fun" and they’ve certainly styled it that way with its squared-off, bubble shape and its ability to cruise over 80 miles on a single charge. Regenerative braking captures energy that would otherwise be lost and liquid thermal conditioning maximizes performance in extreme weather. If that’s just all tech talk to you, then consider the 86 feet of passenger space inside, complemented by Chevy’s MyLink system for media, mobile apps and electric power info on the go, plus a motorcycleinspired instrument cluster and color touch-screen radio.

KIA SOUL EV

$26,200 – 93-mile range – www.kia.com

The Soul EV offers the best driving range in its class to date and puts the charge port front and center between the headlights with three ways to charge, including standard DC Fast Charging. An ultra-dense battery leaves more room in the car itself and the cockpit features split-folding rear seats for extra cargo space. The car also boasts bio-sourced materials and distinctive design stitching. An OLED display keeps you informed, as do the free smartphone UVO EV Services app and in-car telematics system, which keep track of your charging schedule so you’ll be ready to roll whenever you feel like a road trip.

MITSUBISHI i-MiEV

$22,995 – 62-mile range – www.mitsubishicars.com/imiev

The awkwardly-named MiEV (acronym for Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle) may be the strange kid in this class, but it’ll gain popularity once people see its features against its price. Six air bags look after your safety while the climate control system looks after your health with a pollen filter. A 12-volt power outlet and MP3 capabilities on the audio system add those little extras that will get the MiEV invited to the cool kids’ lunch table. Snag the estimated federal tax credit of $7,500 when you buy one of these and you’ll have more than enough left over to buy everyone lunch.