Four Wheels No Emissions

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Still , if you're determined to settle for nothing short of zero emissions, check out the latest electric autos. Zero emission overhauls include the GM-made, Saturn-distributed EVl, which has been redesigned and improved upon for nearly ten years.

The sleek two- seater features enclosed rear wheel wells and a pointed back end, giving it the look of an early 1960s sedan. Under the hood are 26 valve-regulated lead acid batteries and an electric motor capable of churning out 137 horsepower. It can travel up to 80 miles per hour, go from 0 to 60 in nine seconds and travel 79 miles before needing to recharge, which, with a 220-volt/6.6 kilowatt charger, takes only three hours. Currently, most of these cars are sold only in California and Arizona, at a price of around $20,000.

With the growing popularity of alternative-fuel cars, one can't help but wonder if these new technologies are making the large oil corporations nervous. After all, they stand to lose customers not only in the U.S. but in Europe and Asia, where every major car company is working toward adding at least one hybrid, electric or fuel cell car to their showrooms. But the fact is that the oil companies are getting on board as well. Shell is actually lending money and resources to help Iceland convert to an all-hydrogen based industry and Texaco is sponsoring multicity alternative public transportation programs.

As we begin a new century, the institutional ization of the air-friendly auto may finally have graduated from environmental fantasy to the assembly line.

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