If we had asked ourselves 20 years ago what cars of the future where going to look like, we might have said something out of a Michael J. Fox movie. Today consumers are asked which car best suits their lifestyles but with an energy crisis around crude oil and gas, most people these days are opting for a car that is less luxury, more environmental.
Cars pictured in music videos like the Cadillac Escalade or the GM Yukon Denali might have been the dream of many as few as 5 years ago, however with crude oil as high as 134 dollars a barrel these days, the cost translates into 4 dollars at the pump nationwide, forcing many to think twice about buying a big SUV. The buzz around cars like the Toyota Prius, well known for its 46 MPG rating or the Honda Civic Hybrid with 42 MPG rating, are making headlines around the world, but forcing many US automakers to make rapid changes in production as sales of SUV's and trucks plummet.
Already Ford and GM are shutting down production in many of its factories to rethink capturing the US consumer market in small cars. Chevy after the Auto Show earlier this year, much anticipation revolves around the Volt, which promises as much as 100 MPG, an electric car that also uses E85 fuel when going on longer trips. The Chevy Volt is scheduled in the US market by 2010 if Chevy finds a way to fix its lithium battery problem.
Problems as battery recharging time, carbon footprint, and electric are some of the challenges revolving around these new technologies that are already on the market. Price is something consumers are heavily weighing in with the purchase of a more efficient vehicle. Still many are finding a faster way to get around, buying scooters and motorcycles some which get as much as 90 MPG, for a low cost. Experts recommend doing your homework when it comes to the purchase of these new vehicles because it might not make sense for everyone.
