Tesla Model S

Consumer Reports just rated the Tesla Model S with the highest score ever, 99 out of 100. Electrical vehicles are overtaking conventional vehicles in terms of power, handling, aesthetics, and ergonomics.

But don’t rush to the auto dealership just yet. While our grid may be cleaner than most, it’s still comprised of over 40% coal and natural gas, i.e. nonrenewable fossil fuels.

By combining a solar system with an electric vehicle, you can drive completely on clean, free energy from the sun. If you already have a solar system, you can add an additional 2 – 3 kW of solar (depending on your driving habits) to cover the energy needed to power your car!

Ford Focus & SunPower

Keep a lookout at your local Ford dealership for the Ford/SunPower partnership, allowing you to acquire a 2.5 kilowatt rooftop system in conjunction with an electric Ford Focus.

Tailpipe emissions account for one-fifth of worldwide carbon emissions.    Ideally, we would combat this by pouring funding into public transit, and single passenger car trips would become a rarity.

Instead, we’re clinging to life as usual.  How do we have our automobile cake, and eat it too?

Plug-in hybrids.

Consumer habits have shown that most Americans fear the fully electric vehicle.  Unfortunately, the climate can’t wait for us to adjust to the idea of going to a charging station rather than a gas station.

Luckily for future generations, drivers are willing to compromise.  Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are up 381%in just the first half of this year.  We won’t completely give up petroleum, but we are dieting.

This new breed of hybrid can travel 20 miles before switching to gasoline.  And, the cost to charge at night is equal to a mere 75 cents per gallon of gasoline.

Plug-in hybrids are a great alternative to traditional EVs.  They ease consumers into the ways of electric vehicles, while allowing drivers their gas tank security blanket.

Call Solar Forward to learn about powering your plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle with the sun.