Making Electric Cars Practical and Other Benefits

SEGway is a simple, straightforward way to make electric cars practical for everyday use while reducing traffic congestion and noise, air pollution, and oil dependence. The potential air, and even water, quality benefits of electric cars an d the ability to provide energy for transportation from a variety of domestic sources will not be realized if (1) electric car use is limited to local trips because of the technology's range limitation or if (2) electric cars have advanced batteries and a re quite expensive. Because the smart carts will move at a relatively constant speed with far fewer accelerations, they will be far more energy efficient than vehicles in stop and go traffic. Further, since SEGway removes traffic from existing roadways, relieving traffic congestion, non-SEGway traffic moves quicker, reducing air emissions and petroleum consumption. Thus both SEGway and non-SEGway users benefit from quicker trips. The SEGway user can be productive during most of the trip because of not having to drive. In short, urban transportation becomes more sustainable and urban areas more livable.