Summary:
Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are in the press and on the road. But who’s
doing the business and what are their prospects? Karl Ludvigsen checks the
potential of this new phenomenon, discovering and explaining the vital
differences between the approaches being taken by the world's auto makers.

Analysis:
Even BMW is committed! The proud company whose name means ‘Bavarian Engine
Works’, renowned for its petrol and diesel expertise, will build electric cars. Electric! The
power of humble golf carts, milk floats and invalid carriages! Such is the vigor of the carindustry’s
resolve to get people to drive electrically—whether they want to or not—that
even racy BMW, one of the last holdouts, is joining the parade.

In fact BMW already has a toe in the electric pool with its Cowley-built MINI E,
612 of which have been leased to trend-setters in the US, Germany and the UK in
preparation for their full-scale market launch. BMW’s arch-rival Mercedes-Benz is doing
the same with electric versions of its smart ForTwo. Both initiatives are timid compared
to the bold plans of their mainstream rivals.

By midyear more than 14,000 Americans paid $99 to reserve a Nissan Leaf, the
first of which will take to US roads at the end of 2010. The all-electric compact four-door
will be on the UK market in 2012 and the next year will be built in Sunderland alongside
a brand-new battery factory. Renault, Nissan’s alliance partner, will produce three allelectric
models in parallel.

The end of this year will see the launch of the Peugeot iOn and the Citroën CZERO,
electric mini-saloons based on Mitsubishi’s I-MiEV, which will hit the market as
well. Ford is tooling up for a 2011 electric launch as is General Motors, whose Chevrolet
Volt and Vauxhall/Opel Ampera will have a small petrol engine that can top up the
battery charge while under way. Similar technology is being explored by Jaguar, to use a
Lotus-designed engine.

Twenty-thirteen is the target year for BMW, whose electric Megacity will use
ultra-light carbon fibre to offset the extra weight of its batteries. The same year will see
Volkswagen introduce an electric version of its seventh-generation Golf.

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