Reports suggest electric car finally on the way

20.01.2009
With energy prices on the rise again, reminiscent of a summer of US$4 gas, electric cars are looking like a pretty good investment for the future of transportation. And according to recent reports, they may be coming to neighborhood driveways sooner than previously thought.

"The annual parade of new cars and trucks at the North American International Auto Show turned deeper into eco-friendly territory this year," starts in Monday's . And electric cars were making "the biggest headlines."

"The future of electric vehicles isn't five to 10 years," analyst Aaron Bragman told the Journal, "it's in the next year or so."

But big roadblocks to electric vehicles (EVs) still exist, such as the limited range these cars can go between charges (usually in the neighborhood of 100 miles), and the hours it takes to charge one. Engineers are trying to get around these shortcomings with better batteries, as well as through designs like plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells that get around the recharging issue. The plug-in hybrids run on gasoline when the battery is drained, and the "battery" in a fuel cell vehicle is actually a refillable hydrogen tank. An established will also help make electric cars an reality for average car buyers.

rolled out a production model of its long-awaited plug-in hybrid, the , at the show. Expected to be available next year, the Volt runs on electricity, and uses its gas engine only to recharge the battery.

Ford unveiled its "electrification" plan at the show, which includes hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles.