Soon, More Electrics Than Hybrids!
August 22, 2009
Electric Cars: Mitsubishi and Tesla (Now), Nissan 2010, BYD 2010, Toyota 2012, Dodge 2011, Honda by 2015
According to the director of EV [electric Vehicles] solutions at the California based company Aerovironment, full EVs currently in the development stages and expected to be ready for production within the next three years outnumber the plug-in hybrids and EREV [extended range electric vehicle] expected to reach the market within the same time frame. Aerovironment director Kristen Helsel said, "I though the majority would be plug-in, but by our numbers, 60% are full EVs vs. plug-ins."
1. Mitsubishi i-MiEV available now
Mitsubishi Motors started leasing its all-electric vehicle, the i-MiEV, in June, 2009.
2. China's BYD E6 - 2010
China's BYD Co. the Chinese auto maker part-owned by Warren Buffett's company, is finalizing plans for an all-electric battery car that would be sold in the U.S. next year [2010], ahead of the original schedule, Chairman Wang Chuanfu said.
He said BYD wants to build up its brand name in the U.S. by offering one of its most advanced cars, the five-seat e6, before eventually expanding its offerings.
the company plans to pick a specific region within the U.S. and initially market "a few hundred" e6s, priced at slightly more than $40,000, through a small number of dealers. "In the beginning, our target customers are going to be government agencies, utilities and maybe some celebrities," Mr. Wang said. He added that BYD hopes to enter Europe with a similar strategy in 2011 or later.
3. Honda 2015 (or before)
Honda Motor Co Ltd plans to develop an electric car to debut in the U.S. market by around 2015 as tighter environmental regulations push demand for zero-emission vehicles, the Nikkei newspaper said on Saturday.
4. Toyota 2012
Toyota Motor Corp plans to launch an electric car by 2012
5. Volkswagen 2013
Volkswagen AG announced plans to launch electric cars for 2013. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, the Chairman of the Board of Volkswagen AG, said that VW would introduce its first electric car in 2013 and that it will be based on the same as the Up! New Small Family concept that was unveiled in 2007 (see the pics below). Dr Winterkorn estimating that electric vehicles would have a "global market share of 1 to 1.5% in 2020."
6. Nissan Leaf
Nissan Motor Co , Japan's third biggest automaker, unveiled its electric car "Leaf" earlier this month with plans to begin selling it in the United States, Japan and Europe towards the end of 2010. The Leaf travels up to 90 miles an hour, goes 100 miles between recharges and carries a price tag of $25,000 to $33,000.
7. Tesla Motors
The Tesla Roadster Sport is available now for about $125,000.
Highly efficient motors can be built smaller than gasoline engines, while still producing high torque at low revolutions. For example, the "i MiEV" 's small, light weight, highly efficient permanent magnet synchronous motor provides sportier, quieter driving and power superior to the gasoline "i" 's turbo charged 660cc engine.
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