After years of foot dragging, major car companies are at last accelerating into a market for electric-powered vehicles.
GM and Chrysler both say they will sell a plug-in car in 2010. At least nine car companies worldwide say that by 2013 they will offer plug-in vehicles that use electric motors as their primary means of propulsion. Most will be plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) that use small gasoline engines as a backup.
(Read the full report in CS Monitor)
Plug-in America, an activist group, came up with the following list of vehicles and dates:
GM
Chevy Volt – Demo 2009, production November 2010
Saturn Vue PHEV – 2010. Note: GM has discontinued the Saturn line and the Vue’s fate in unclear.
Nissan
EV – 2010
Toyota
Plug-in Hybrid Prius – Demo 2010, production 2011
Chrysler
PHEV – 2010
EV Jeep – by 2013
EV Minivan – by 2013
EV Roadster – by 2013
Ford
Plug-in Hybrid Escape – 2012
EV Magna – 2011
BMW
e-Mini – 2009
Audi
A1 Sportback PHEV – 2011
Hyundai
PHEV Sonata – 2013
Volkswagen
PHEV Golf – 2011
Small Companies
Tesla (now and 2011)
Fisker (2009)
BYD (2009)
Bright Automotive (2012)
Miles (2009)
Aptera (2009)
Persu Mobility (2011)
Myers Motors (now)
PHEV conversions
A123/Hymotion
Plug-in Conversions
3-Prong Power
I’m of the age where most young men consider purchasing their first car. I, however am going to wait until commuter EVs are available where I live before I buy a car.
I’m glad to hear the car companies are coming around. Although, they are late to the party – Tesla Motors already deliveries an amazing electric vehicle and has plans to release a more affordable electric vehicle.
Check out http://www.teslamotors.com