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When can you buy an electric car?

By Colin Bird and Joe Bruzek, Cars.com, Source: Cars.com

With two mass-produced models arriving, automakers are working hard on creating true electric vehicles.

When can you join the electric car race? The answer is right now, if you have $100,000 for the all-electric Tesla Roadster. Don't worry, though. More practical and less-expensive electric options are on the way, and by late 2010, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2011 Nissan Leaf are scheduled to go on sale in select markets.

EVs are not a new concept; they were among the earliest cars on the road. Gas-powered versions edged them out because of a century's worth of cheap oil, weak battery technology and long-distance highway travel. Despite a small resurgence in California in the 1990s, the electric car has been more myth than reality over the past 20 years. The recent volatility in gas prices helped reignite interest in EVs.

Tomorrow's EVs won't be limited to small, sporty cars like the Tesla Roadster. "Different people need different cars," said Sherry Boschert, vice president of Plug In America, a nonprofit advocacy group for EVs. Because of that, car companies are planning to build plug-in trucks, commercial vans, SUVs and sedans.

A major hurdle for EVs has been range anxiety -- the fear that your electric car won't be able to get you everywhere you need to be, or at least back from there. Some automakers, including GM, have added onboard gas -- or ethanol-powered generators to their EVs. "The internal combustion engine is like a security policy that makes [drivers] feel safe," Boschert said. The gas engine kicks in when the batteries are running out of juice.

New battery technology may help make EVs more palatable to consumers by ensuring a longer range. Lithium-ion batteries are relatively new, but they will be used in all of tomorrow's plug-ins. Why? "You get the same amount of power with only half the weight of nickel-metal hydride batteries. They're smaller and have a higher power density," said Nick Cappa, Chrysler's advanced technology spokesman. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are used in all of today's hybrids and electric vehicles.

To help offset the cost of electric cars, the federal government now offers EV buyers tax credits from $2,500 to $7,500. Nissan has listed the Leaf's MSRP at $25,280 after a $7,500 tax credit. Most EVs are expected to qualify for the maximum amount.

The following is a list of EV models that have automakers, investors and companies backing them. Three models are available in some form today, with many more to come in the not-so-distant future. In these uncertain economic times, some of the cars planned could fail as capital and consumer spending dwindle.

"A lot can happen between now and then," Boschert said. "I know well enough from experience that seeing is believing. Until you can go out and buy [an EV], it's not certain."

Electric vehicles aready on the market

Tesla Roadster: This sleek, two-seat sports car is the poster child of the EV revolution, and it has a 244-mile range. With the $7,500 federal tax credit, the Roadster's MSRP is $101,500.

Mini E: It's an electrified version of a Mini Cooper, and only two passengers can fit into it because the back seat has been replaced with a battery pack. The car has a 150-mile electric range. You'll have to be lucky or connected to get one: Only 500 Mini Es are leased to qualified buyers under one-year agreements.

Myers NmG: Myers Motors claims its tiny shoehorn-shaped one-seater is the first street- and highway-legal sub-$30,000 electric car powered by lithium-ion batteries. You can place your order at myersmotors.com.

Electric vehicles on the horizon

Production plans for the following EVs could change. The year represents the date of intended retail sales.

Chevrolet Volt, 2010: This four-passenger compact plug-in hybrid is GM's attempt at a Prius killer. The vehicle's Voltec powertrain comprises a small gas/ethanol generator and an electric motor to power the wheels. The vehicle can run 40 miles on electric power only and travel 400 miles between gas station fill-ups. It's expected to hit dealerships in late 2010.

Nissan Leaf, 2010: The Leaf is an all-electric five-seat hatchback that will be available in select markets at the end of 2010 and widely available in 2011. Unlike the Volt, the Leaf does not use a range-extending engine to charge the battery. On a full charge, the Leaf's range is rated at 100 miles. Top speed is said to be over 90 mph.

Fisker Karma, 2010: The plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan seats four and will have a 50-mile electric driving range, the company says. It is expected to become available in the second half of 2010. Like the Volt, the Karma will use a range-extending engine to increase total range up to 300 miles. The hybrid combo will propel the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Ford Transit Connect Electric, 2010: Available for commercial use only, the 2011 Transit Connect Electric utility van will be Ford's first battery-electric car when it's available in late 2010. Miles EV Highway Speed, 2010: Miles EV says its five-passenger electric sedan is undergoing safety testing. Expected range is 100 miles.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2010-12: This small four-seat electric car has an 80- to 100-mile range. Testing and evaluation for American markets is under way in California. The i-MiEV goes on sale in Japan in July 2010. We're told its arrival stateside should be expected "before 2012."

BMW Concept ActiveE, 2011: Like the Mini E, BMW will lease ActiveE models to select markets. The ActiveE is an electric version of the BMW 1 Series.

Phoenix Motorcars SUV and truck, 2011: Phoenix plans to sell the first EV dual-cab truck and SUV in 2010. Each seats five and has a cruising range of 130 miles. The SUV and truck can be charged in 10 minutes with a special charging port, Phoenix says.

Think City, 2011: Starting in early 2011, the City will be manufactured in Elkhart, Ind. Built for urban environments, the small electric car will first see use in New York City. Its range is estimated to be 100 miles, and Think says the City can cruise at highway speeds.

Ford Focus Electric, 2011: We don't know much about the Focus Electric, but Ford says the all-electric vehicle will be available in 2011.

Tesla Model S, 2012: Tesla wants to follow up its Roadster with a five-passenger EV sedan. The sedan would have a 240-mile range with an expected price around $60,000, says Tesla. The company has delayed its original target date to at least 2012.

Toyota FT-EV, 2012: Based off the Toyota iQ -- a small city car that will be sold in the U.S. in 2011 as the Scion iQ -- this all-electric vehicle has an expected 50-mile range.

Ford plug-in vehicle, 2012: Ford says its next-generation hybrid system will feature plug-in capabilities. Currently, the automaker is testing the powertrain on the Ford Escape Hybrid. When plugged in, the vehicle can run 30 miles on electric power only.

Fisker Karma S Sunset, TBA: This four-passenger convertible is based off the 2010 Karma performance sedan. The power retractable hardtop is a plug-in hybrid that's capable of 100 mpg. Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, said we shouldn't expect to see the convertible on the market before 2011.

© 2010, Cars.com