


We’re at the dawn of a new era. Electric cars promise to soon be ubiquitous, saving energy with their ability to plug into our power system that theoretically is more energy-efficient than directly burning fossil fuels. But keeping electrics from widespread use is today's costly and inefficient battery technology. Electric cars might be able to go fast, but still lack the convenience, economy and long range of today’s gasoline-fueled vehicles and hybrids.
Even so, innovators and entrepreneurs are undaunted, with some saying they’re about to release electric vehicles, several soon to hit the market, and others promising delivery a year or two away. Amid bickering, diving for investor dollars, upbeat press releases and unbridled controversy, the electric cars might indeed burst forth any time now. One thing’s for sure: They’re all accompanied with an explosion of innovation, creativity, gorgeous mockups and visionary talk.
The following list of Top 10 electric vehicles contains examples of cars that emphasize practicality, others that are race cars on steroids, and still others that are glorified golf carts. Even though a few on this list may not ever actually hit the American road, all are fascinating, and one may even end up in your garage before the decade is out — if you have the money and the early-adopter patience. Hit Continue and see what the future may hold.










By dorri732 at 8:11 PM ON 04/23/08
Bob Lutz has stated that the Lutz will probably be more than $40,000 when introduced, and that the 40 mile electric-only range will probably be less, as well.
By dorri732 at 8:12 PM ON 04/23/08
Bob Lutz has stated that the Volt will probably be more than $40,000 when introduced, and that the 40 mile electric-only range will probably be less, as well.
By HybridPlugs.com at 1:45 AM ON 04/24/08
I have been driving a100mpg Plug-In Hybrid for the past year in Houston. If our auto industry won't build them, I will. I now use 4kwh/60 cents a night of Clean Domestic Wind Energy to offset the amount of Dirty Foreign Oil I have to use.
By Andrew at 4:56 PM ON 04/24/08
You should have mentioned the Miles XS500 which Miles Electric Vehicles will be releasing in 2009. They already have prototypes and are crash testing the car which will be released at a price point of around $35,000 but you do not mention a car like this and do mention concepts that have not even been built like the Think Ox and the Zenn EEStor. Try doing some more research first before deciding who is going to change the world.
By cmblake6 at 8:26 PM ON 04/24/08
Very interesting concept! I really like the hybrid idea at the moment, but you shouldn't need a very large engine to turn the generator for the battery charging. Now, if someone modifies the charging system to be turned by the motion of the vehicle itself, I think we're seriously talking! No need at all for any fuel based motor, charges itself on the fly... When do we get an electric motorcycle? Electric motor turns wheels and generator to charge the battery. Wouldn't take a large battery to get you moving, and from that point you're self sustaining.
By igreenspot at 3:34 AM ON 04/25/08
great collection of hybrid car, it's great that car manufacturer getting aware of the importance of creating low emission cars
By Insightman at 7:58 AM ON 04/25/08
Mileage figures for plug-in hybrids are so misleading. They provide infinite miles per gallon until the battery is exhausted, then they have to lug around a bigger, heavier battery, which causes the vehicle to start sucking fuel at a greater rate than a non-plug-in. Perhaps there should be a standard distance, say 850 miles (coincidentally the range of my Honda Insight's 10.6 gallon tank), over which fuel usage should be measured. "100 mpg" by itself means nothing to me.
By HojoMojo at 8:59 AM ON 04/25/08
With EEStor's ultracaps, the internal combustion engine (which was more effectient at making heat than driving a car) is almost dead...lets move on to a much more effecient system of driving our vehicles. The electric motor!
I'm going to drive the the ICE's funerial in my electric car with a smile on my face..and perhaps I'll offer an BIG OIL exec a ride on the way!
HJ
By Insightman at 10:12 AM ON 04/25/08
Ah yes, EEStor, where are they now? They've never shown a sample, missed every delivery date they've stated, and have gone stone cold silent. Will they ever be heard from again? I was hoping so hard they were for real!
By wwb at 2:31 PM ON 04/27/08
If EEstore does not pan out, the Renault-Nissan idea of battery replacement is the best alternative to ending the internal combustion engine. I have had this same idea for a decade.A Contract to lease the batteries would allow you to replace the batteries at anytime as you would in a flashlight. With a standardization of a battery pack for electrical cars, changing out the packs could be done in a couple of minutes. Also, advances in technology in batteries could be incorporated in the battery packs as time goes by. Larger vehicles (SUV, Trucks) would simply have two or more battery packs to supply their energy needs. This is the way to go! It only takes infrastructure to become reality
By Realist at 9:51 PM ON 05/10/08
Look closely at the pics...only two actual real world photos; the Baker and the ZENN. The ZENN is an actual car you can buy now.
By fido at 10:22 PM ON 05/28/08
i dont understand whats so hard about charging a battery--us my rv charger if you want-takes about 20 minutes--time enough to have lunch
By Lock at 9:02 PM ON 06/04/08
They overlooked the one car. The battery-electric taxi that ran over and crushed Henry Bliss in NYC in 1899, making Henry the first North American to suffer death by auto.
tks
By RIDEABIKE at 7:24 PM ON 07/07/08
i think the venture one (or the Carver-it's dutch pregenerate) certainly deserves a mention. this three wheeled vehicle is estimated to get 125+ miles on a charge and it's hybrid version is to get about 300 miles more on top of that. not to mention the vehicle drives like a fighter plane (eat that saab!) or motorcycle, leaning into corners from a two wheel base. lots of good videos and a production plan at the website. probably released in 2010 in CA.
By zooil (zerooil) at 2:25 AM ON 07/23/08
I hope 4-5 seaters will be available as electric family cars. 2 seaters are like toys more than anyting practical.
By Kilowatt Kiwi at 8:47 PM ON 07/25/08
Where can I buy electric car parts & accesories
By rhea at 2:56 AM ON 09/15/08
tesla all the way baby! Volt is a poor excuse for GM to save its own ass. Its still mostly reliant on gasoline, whereas the tesla is 100% electric. Tesla also plans to have a 30,000$ version of its own car before volt will probably even hit the shelves. despite GM having all the resources in the world, and tesla relying on investors, the tesla still wins.
By Ashley at 2:48 PM ON 09/17/08
can't wait til they come out
By Kiteless at 1:34 PM ON 09/18/08
I know it is goofy looking but I love that Aptera! I will certainly buy one after they have been out a little while. Currently drive a 2007 Yaris Liftback. I average about 36mpg. Not bad for a $10.5K car. Otherwise I will be following Toyota and Th!nk very closely. Tesla is the closest to production, but it's like $70K out of my price range. Will be looking at one of these cars in 2017. It is certainly exciting times.
- Kiteless
By too much $$$ at 5:08 PM ON 09/22/08
for starters... most ev's are too much for the common person. there is good news though. goss132 (which blows them out of the water) is much better, bigger, and cheaper than all these models. produced in the us, and has batteries you can change out your self. 4 doors and all that. that is cool. goss132 cars are all electric, and are about 22,000. go goss132!!
By sritharan at 1:00 AM ON 10/24/08
Hello,
very nice , i like to know about seats and Safety, mechanism
By Paula S at 2:13 PM ON 01/25/09
Ok... Now I'm interested in Goss132. Only problem is I can't seem to find any pictures of their car. Anyone have a link to that? The Goss132 site is kinda lacking on imagery. Really do appreciate the right to change the batteries out at will.
By tarik ister at 5:15 AM ON 02/19/09
I AM LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURERS OF A SOLAR AIR-CONDITIONING FOR CARS.
PLEASE HELP
tarik ister:
I AM LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURERS OF A SOLAR AIR-CONDITIONING FOR CARS. PLEASE HELP ...More »