NYT - They're Electric, But Can They Be Fantastic?

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Washington DC September 26, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that with a gallon of premium gas topping $3 on average, and as carmakers and entrepreneurs pour money into the latest generation of electric cars, their prospects appear brighter than ever.

According to the New York Times, trading the internal combustion engine for batteries could bring well-publicized advantages: reducing pollution, raising mileage, and promoting energy independence.

There is one problem. Not a single purely electric vehicle with four seats and the ability to reach highway speeds is being mass-produced anywhere in the world.

The $100,000 Tesla Roadster may well be the most impressive E.V. yet, but it is priced well beyond the budget of even most sports car buyers.

So automakers, including Tesla, are again assuring Americans that practical, affordable E.V.'s are on the way. Despite the daunting challenges, several companies insist that the time and the technology are now right.