Top Electric Cars For 2012

Consumers are really thinking more and more about green vehicles, so electric cars and electric car prices are definitely in the forefront of the consumer’s mind when seeking our an eco-friendly vehicle. With the price of fuel rising on a daily basis, consumers are looking to cars that use less fuel and that simultaneously offer fewer emissions. Consumers seeking environmentally friendly vehicle options covet vehicles that are powered by electric power only or hybrid vehicles that use both gas and electric power.

About Electric Cars and Electric Car Prices

While electric cars are becoming more popular, consumers need to realize that since electric cars are new they can still be pricey. While there are a few options that prove affordable, particularly the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, vehicles like the Karma Fisker can prove quite costly and can have an MSRP price well over $100,000.00. The batteries that are inside electric cars are special batteries costing far more money than a battery in a gas-operated option. The battery in an electric car is commonly made of lithium ion; this allows the battery to store more energy and to last longer. When you are considering electric car prices, you need to realize that the battery is costly, and after about four years time you will have to replace the battery. Over the long-term ownership of the vehicle, battery replacement and/or maintenance can prove to be a bit costly.

With an electric car, the electric car prices for purchasing the car are high, but the long term cost of operating the vehicle are lower than those associated with gas operated vehicles. This means that over the course of time, you will save a lot of money as you operate the vehicle. Since these vehicles offer zero tailpipe emissions too, you are doing your part to behave in an environmentally friendly fashion. If you consider that maintaining the environment is of major importance, this can make the initial price of an electric car seem insubstantial compared to the benefits you gain from owning and operating one.

2012 Electric Car Prices

2012 Chevrolet Volt

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is a compact vehicle with a hatchback configuration. The vehicle can seat up to four passengers and it is what is identified as a plug in/hybrid vehicle. The vehicle will rely on gasoline for the first forty miles of travel, and it will then convert to energy that is stored in a battery made of lithium ion. When the battery needs more energy, the vehicle will rely on gasoline for power. You can get up to three hundred miles distance when the tank is full in the 2012 Volt. The car comes equipped with satellite radio, passive entry, alloy wheels, climate controls, and Bluetooth® connections. It also comes complete with an Onstar® mobile feature. If you opt for the premium trim, you can get the Volt with heated seats in the front, a rear camera, park assist features, and leather seating. The audio system in the 2012 Volt is an upgrade from the 2011 configuration, and the liftgate as well as passive entry features are a standard in the 2012 vehicle. The cart has a one-speed auto tranny, a front wheel drivetrain, and an invoice price of $37579.00. Monthly payments, if you choose to finance the vehicle, are around $740.00 a month. For more information visit http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/.

2012 Fisker Karma

The 2012 Fisker Karma comes in three different varieties; the EcoStandard, EcoSport, and the EcoChic. When it comes to electric car prices, the EcoStandard is the cheapest version of the Fisker Karma priced at around $95900.00. The EcoSport is priced around $103,900.00 and the EcoChic is priced around $108,900.00. The EcoStandard comes with antilock brakes, traction control, 22-inch silver aluminum wheels, keyfob remote keyless entry, heated passenger and driver seats in the front of the vehicle, and a one speed automatic tranny. The vehicle also sports dual zone automatic air conditioning, and a solar panel sunroof. The Fisker Karma is loaded with safety features too; it comes with a total of eight airbags, child seating tethers and lower anchors, an automatic battery disconnect feature, and a Signature Fisker external sound awareness alert feature. This vehicle can achieve a top speed of 125 miles per hour, and it goes from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds. For more information visit http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/en-us/karma/overview.

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is another electric car that has a one speed automatic transmission. It has a rear wheel drivetrain, and it is suitable for four passengers. The vehicle will cost a consumer about $550.00 to $587.00 per month if financed. The invoice pricing on the vehicle ranges from $28499.00 to $30456.00. On the low end of the scale, you can get this vehicle for right around $21,625.00 if you do not take advantage of optional features. The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is rated the best in terms of efficiency: it has a 112 MPGe rating. The vehicle is offered in five different colors so it is easy to find one that suits your personal preferences too. You get zero tailpipe emissions from the vehicle and it is equipped with six airbags. For more information visit http://i.mitsubishicars.com/.

2012 Nissan Leaf

When it comes to electric car prices, the 2012 Nissan Leaf is reasonably priced. This vehicle is fitted with a one speed automatic gearbox. It can seat up to five people and when financed it will cost the consumer anywhere from $619.00 to $636.00 a month. The vehicle has an invoice price that ranges from $31394.00 to $32293.00. The Leaf has received a five star overall safety rating. This vehicle is 100 percent electric so you use no gasoline to operate it. It offers zero tailpipe emissions when in use. The Leaf is equipped with a 120 Volt portable trickle charging cable, a 3.3 Kilowatt onboard charger, a 24 Kilowatt lithium ion battery, an 80 Kilowatt AC synchronous motor, and a battery heater. For more details visit: http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index.