That mandate was weakened in 1996 and instead automakers were required to produce and sell 10 percent ZEVs by 2003. But the hybrids are not good substitutes because they use gasoline and require the continued expansion of gasoline and oil refineries, which emit air pollutants and toxic air contaminants. Taking into account the pollution generated to produce, recycle and dispose batteries, researchers report that electric vehicles create only 1 percent of the pollution generated from the cleanest gasoline vehicles. While some in the auto industry say there isn't a market for electric cars, Cecile Martin, deputy executive director of California Electric Transportation Coalition, says there is a demand with waiting lists of people who want to lease electric vehicles. Today automakers are producing a variety of electric vehicles including an SUV, a station wagon, and even a sports car.
Most electric vehicles accelerate just as fast as gas-powered ones.
It's also the cheapest car I've had in nearly 30 years. No oil changes. It just keeps on going. Recharging the battery of an electric vehicle is easy and convenient. A full recharge takes about five hours and it provides enough energy for some vehicles to travel about 150 miles, others require a charge sooner.