Eco factor: Energy efficient electric car

Created by Illinois inventor Greg Zanis, the Dream Car 123, in spite of its weird appearance manages to be a life saver because of its high efficiency. Shaped like a pyramid, the car looks like it’s escaped from Egypt. The windshield made of bulletproof glass is in the form of a cone and surrounds the passenger on all four sides. The windshield is tinted and the car comes complete with mirrors and sun visors. This one eliminates many traditional car systems to produce an automobile that is more efficient, faster and safer to drive than today’s mechanical car on the street. The vehicle uses solar power during the day and wind at night as the energy source.

With the increasing rise in the price of gasoline anything functioning on alternative energy seems like a welcome change. This automobile also tackles the street at about 45 mph, with an 80-mile range. A single 3.5 hour charge provides about 240 miles of driving for only about $5 in electricity cost. Once out in the market, this car might range somewhere between $16,000 and $24,000. With few modifications in the looks department, this car could go way ahead!

The Dark Side:
The thought behind reduction in usage of gasoline is awesome, but just because this particular vehicle is eco-friendly automatically doesn’t makes it the best thing in the world, does it? In USA, a gallon of gas currently costs $3.7, now let’s assume that this car gets 40 miles to the gallon carrying around 4-5 people. That’s 200 miles to the person-gallon-mile, for $3.7.

This vehicle can only take one person 240 miles for $5, which is more expensive per person than driving a hybrid. Plus, gas is readily available, in case you’re running low on fuel, and in need of a quick boost, whereas this thing takes 3.5 hours to charge. Eco-friendly cars, apart from being good to the environment, also need to be carefully crafted with practical functions to make them go a long way. The appearance of this car is a big turn-off.

Via: Gizmodo319337