The first mass-market electric cars are coming to Europe later this year.
Below are details about some of the models:
PSA PEUGEOT CITROEN/MITSUBISHI
* Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn 4 door electric car
* Both based on partner Mitsubishi's iMiEV
* Launching late-2010 in Europe
* Fully charged in 6 hours on a household plug
* www.c-zero.citroen.com
NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
* Leaf medium-sized hatchback coming to Europe early 2011
* Pricing details for Europe markets to be announced shortly
* Price from 2.99 million yen with govt incentives in Japan
* www.electric-mobility.com
* Range of around 160 kilometres
RENAULT
* Fluence Z.E. family car, mid-2011
* Kangoo Z.E. delivery van, mid-2011
* Twizy Z.E. urban car, H2 2011
* Zoe Z.E. small car, mid-2012
* www.renault-ze.com
BYD
* E6 crossover from Chinese EV-maker
* Expected in Europe from this year
* Range of 330 km per charge, company says
* www.byd.com
GM
* Opel Ampera, Chevrolet Volt
* Around 60 km fully electric range
* Have range extender to up autonomy by several hundred kms
* www.chevroletvoltage.com
VOLKSWAGEN
* E-Up two-door car, expected 2013
* Range of up to 130 kilometres
* Audi E-Tron sporty coupe expected 2012
* Audi says can drive 50km emission-free in city traffic
* Has range extender for longer trips
BOLLORE AND PININFARINA
* Blue Car, small 4-seater electric car
* Available as rental from autumn 2010
BMW
* Mini E premium small car
* Trials taking place in several big cities
* 240 km range
* Click here
DAIMLER
* Smart Fortwo ED
* Two-seater small car
* Large-scale production expected 2012