"Why EV can help? --Price of oil rises 30 percent in 2010 and could hit $4 a gallon in 2011

 Jan,7,2011
NEW YORK (AP) -- The price of oil is poised for another run at $100 a barrel after a global economic rebound sent it surging 34 percent since May. That could push gasoline prices to $4 a gallon by summer in some parts of the American Territory.

Flying, shipping packages or ordering a pizza, these activities all likely would get more expensive in the new years to come if companies pass along higher energy costs to the consumer. Some economists say rising energy prices will slow economic growth.

The U.S. is the world's largest oil consumer, but since spring prices have been on a roll, primarily because of rising demand in developing countries, especially China. China's oil consumption is expected to rise 5 percent next year; that compares with less than 1 percent growth forecast for the U.S.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is capable of raising output, if it needs to, by more than five million barrels per day. Still, Morgan Stanley estimates that the rising energy needs of China and other emerging economies will consume about half of that amount over the next two years. That could create supply pressures similar to those that preceded the price spike of 2008, when oil soared to $147 a barrel.

In the present days when the oil prices are soaring, the demand for electricity as the alternate fuel for vehicles is bound to increase. Vehicles using electricity as fuel are called Electric Vehicles (EVs) or electric cars. In electric vehicles usually the battery is fitted that stores the electricity and runs the motor, which in turn rotates the wheels of the vehicle. 

Current Limitations of EVs:

1) The battery has to be charged regularly. The normal working range of battery is about 50-130 miles and it takes between 6-8 hours to fully recharge.

2) Limited charging stations infrastrusture available on roads and highways. In some states like California and Arizona, shopping malls and some stores offer charging facilities, but they are not available everywhere. The trend of providing charging points is surely going to spread across other businesses and states but right now is a serious setback，specially on long distance trips.

3) Though the vehicle running on electricity does not produce pollution, the power plants producing electricity do produce pollution. Contaminant created by thermal power plants are one of the major source of air-pollution. The electricity generated from solar energy will probably be the best solution to curb this effect since it is totally pollution free.

Vehicle manufacturers are striving hard to improve the performance of EVs. They have come up with a number of alternative arrangements like hybrid vehicles, in which electricity and/or gasoline can be used as fuel to run the vehicle.

ZAP stands for Zero Air Pollution®.
With its new product offerings, the Company is positioned to become a leading brand and distribution portal of advanced technology vehicles. ZAP and Jonway are committed to run their business based on a strong philosophical foundation that supports the environment, social responsibility and profitability.
Very soon we will have a clear proof of it with the development of the Green City in Shanghai, Yanpu District.

Gasoline prices in U.S. is likely to hit season high. Will lithium become the new oil?

Dec,22,2010
Crude oil prices closed above $90 a barrel for the first time in two years, raising the likelihood that U.S. gasoline prices will reach an average of $3 a gallon for the first Christmas ever.

California already far surpassed that point this season — the average pump price was $3.28 Wednesday, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Experts said it's heading for $4 and more in parts of the state.

A gasoline price spike now would be even worse than it was back in 2008," said Stephen Stone, a 48-year-old computer scientist from Norwalk, because "the economy was booming then and people could afford it more."

Stone has already curbed his use of fossil fuels. He uses a Zap Zebra electric car for trips around town, but it has only a 40-mile range before needing a recharge. He uses a 2006 Town and Country van for longer drives.

Gasoline prices in U.S. is likely to hit season high. Will lithium become the new oil?

Lithium is predicted to turn into the most sought – and fought over – commodity on the planet according to the world’s industry sectors. China, Chile, Australia, America and many more countries are all investing to support the demand for lithium metal, which is set to grow as car makers increasingly look to lithium as a fuel solution.