Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles up their game
Alternative fuel vehicles are taking a huge leap with the upgrade of Tesla's electric Model S and the commercialization of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Mirai in the U.S. market.
Tesla Motors Inc. has announced new additions to their luxury electric-powered Model S car, including a 90 KWh battery package which will allow the vehicle to travel 300 miles on a full power charge at an average speed of 65mph.
Tesla Model S has generally been acclaimed for providing a stylish design and great performance levels for an electric vehicle. It can be purchased for around $71,100.
On the other hand, Toyota´s hydrogen-powered Mirai claims to run 312 miles on a full tank of liquefied hydrogen. Senior executives in Toyota believe vehicles such as the Mirai are the future of the clean energy automobile market.
Although technological advancements make alternative fuel vehicles more accessible and attractive than ever, the drop in traditional fuel prices and the public´s latest trend towards SUVs and trucks in the U.S. have slumped the sales and growth of their market.
As reported by PetrolPlaza, the three Japanese automaker giants recently agreed a joint plan to develop hydrogen filling stations across Japan with an estimated $45 million budget until 2020, in an effort to strengthen the hydrogen vehicle market in the Asian country. Due to the lack of hydrogen demand, the installation of dispensers is still not a profitable business for service station owners.
