Over the past few years, the media hype for electric vehicles has
built to a fever pitch. These sleek, highly conceptual cars, we are
told, will forever change the way we drive. But how many of these cars
become more than just a flashy 3-D rendering? Between auto dealers
rushing to compete in the new market and media enthusiasm for the subject, there is a lot of buzz to sort through.
Nissan Leaf
Expected release date: December 2010 with refundable $99 reservation; increased availability begins in the spring of 2011, with full market roll-out by 2012
Price estimate: $25,280 (after $7,500 tax saving)
Projected range: 100 miles
Charge time: 30 minutes with quick charger, eight hours with 200V outlet
Classification: Five-door hatchback (seats five)
Power: 120 hp
Top speed: 90 mph
Additional notes: Availability in all markets is not guaranteed at this time.
Chevrolet Volt
Expected release date: late fall 2010 in Washington, D.C., New York City, California, and Austin; early 2011 in Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, all of Texas, all of New York; late 2011 to mid 2012 nationwide
Price estimate: TBD (speculation between $30,000 to $40,000)
Projected range: 40 miles (on electric charge alone)
Charge time: Three hours with 240V outlet, eight hours in a standard household outlet
Classification: Five-door hatchback (seats four)
Power: 150 hp
Top speed: 100 mph
Additional notes: Technically not an EV, it has plug-in capability.
Tesla Model S
Expected release date: early 2012 with a $5,000 reservation fee
Price estimate: $49,900 (after $7,500 tax saving)
Projected range: 300 miles
Charge time: 45-minute quick charge, five-minute battery swap, standard charging between three and five hours
Classification: Five-door hatchback (seats five adults and two children)
Power: TBD
Top speed: 120 mph
CODA
Expected release date: late 2010 in California
Price estimate: $32,500 (after $7,500 tax saving, unofficially)
Projected range: 90 to 120 miles
Charge time: Six hours with 220V
Classification: Four-door sedan (seats four)
Power: 134 hp
Top speed: 80 mph
Additional notes: There is an open wait-list on the Coda site.
Fisker Karma
Expected release date: February 2011
Price estimate: $87,900
Projected range: 50 miles (electric only)
Charge time: TBD
Classification: Four-door sedan (seats four)
Power: Combined 403 hp (electric motors), 265 hp (2.0L turbocharged engine)
Top speed: 125 mph
Additional notes: Plug-in hybrid
Aptera 2e
Expected release date: TBD (estimated 2011), reservations for $500 available in California only
Price estimate: $25,000 to $40,000
Projected range: 100 miles
Charge time: 11 hours (level one charge); six hours (level two charge)
Classification: Two-seating, three-wheeler
Power: 110 hp
Top speed: 90 mph
A list of six electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids that you can actually buy in the next year or two.
