ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The Mercedes Actros is an advanced electric truck, not yet with instant battery cartridge refuelling, but it could be.

An electric vehicle is a vehicle whose motion is provided by electric motors. The motion may be provided either by wheels or propellors driven by rotary motors, or in the case of tracked vehicles, by linear motors. The electrical energy used to power the motors may be obtained from a direct connection to land-based generation plants, as is common in electric trains; from chemical energy stored on the vehicle in batteries or diesel fuel; from nuclear energy, on nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers; or more esoteric sources such as flywheels, wind and solar.

The reasons electric motors are used to drive vehicles are their fine control, high efficiency and simple mechanical construction. Electric motors often achieve 90% conversion efficiency over the full range of speeds and power output and can be precisely controlled. Electric motors can provide torque whilst not moving, unlike internal combustion engines, and do not need gears to match power curves. This removes the need for gearboxes, torque convertors and differentials. Electric motors also have the unusual ability to convert movement energy back into electricity, through regenerative braking. This can be used to reduce the wear on brake systems, and reduce the total energy requirement of a journey.

Most electric transport is directly connected to stationary sources of energy through the grid. Due to the extra infrastructure and difficulty in handling arbitrary travel, most directly connected vehicles are owned publicly or by large companies. These forms of transportation are covered in more detail in maglev trains, metros, trams, trains and trolleybuses. A hypothetical electric vehicle design is Personal rapid transit, a cross between cars and trains optimised for independent travel.

In most systems the motion is provided by a rotary electric motor. However, some trains unroll their motors to drive directly against a special matched track. These are called linear motor trains. Often these are also magnetic levitation trains, floating above the rails through magnetic force. Note that the levitation and the forward motion are independent effects: while the forward motive forces still require external power, Inductrack achieves levitation at low speeds without any.

Chemical energy is the most common independent energy source. Chemical energy is converted to electrical energy, which is then regulated and fed to the drive motors. Chemical energy is usually in the form of diesel or petrol. The fuel is usually converted into electricity by a generator powered by an internal combustion engine or other heat engine. This approach is known as diesel-electric or gas-hybrid locomotion.

Another form of chemical to electrical conversion is electro-chemical. This includes fuel cells and batteries. By avoiding an intermediate mechanical step the conversion efficiency is dramatically improved over the chemical-thermal-mechanical-electrical-mechanical process already discussed. This is due to the higher carnot efficiency through directly oxidising the fuel and by avoiding several unnecessary energy conversions. Furthermore, electro-chemical batteries conversions are easy to reverse, allowing electrical energy to be stored in chemical form.

Despite the higher efficiency, electro-chemical vehicles have many technical issues which prevent them from replacing the more cumbersome heat engines. Heat engines have been easier to scale up, with the largest electrical generators always being driven by heat engines. Fuel cells are fragile, sensitive to contamination, and require external reactants such as hydrogen. Batteries require highly refined and unstable chemicals that could be harmful to the environment and must be recycled to minimize their impact and maximize their sustainability through material reuse. Both have lower energy and power density than heat engines.

For especially large electric vehicles, namely submarines and aircraft carriers, the chemical energy of the diesel-electric can be replaced by a nuclear reactor. The nuclear reactor usually provides heat, which drives a steam turbine, which drives a generator, which is then fed to the propulsion.

There have been a number of experiments using flywheel energy storage in electric vehicles. The flywheels store energy as rotation, which is converted to electricity via a generator, which then drives the wheel motors. It might seem odd to convert rotational energy to electrical energy, only to convert it back, but flywheels need to spin very fast to store enough energy to be useful, and it is easier to use electricity to convert the motion to something suitable for the vehicle.

There are two commonly available electric vehicle designs for automobiles: Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy in batteries; and Hybrid vehicles, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy via an internal combustion engine and a generator.

HISTORY

Electric motive power started with a small railway operated by a miniature electric motor, built by Thomas Davenport in 1835. In 1838 a Scotsman named Robert Davidson built an electric locomotive that attained a speed of four miles an hour. In England a patent was granted in 1840 for the use of rails as conductors of electric current, and similar American patents were issued to Lilley and Colten in 1847. http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r066.html

Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented the first crude electric carriage, powered by non-rechargable Primary cells.

By the 20th century electric cars and rail transport were commonplace, with commercial electric automobiles having the majority of the market. Electrified trains were used for coal transport as the motors did not use precious oxygen in the mines. Switzerland's lack of natural fossil resources forced the rapid electrification of their rail network.

Electric vehicles were among the earliest automobiles, and before the preeminence of light, powerful internal combustion engines, electric automobiles held many vehicle land speed and distance records in the early 1900s. They were produced by Anthony Electric, Baker Electric, Detroit Electric, and others and at one point in history out-sold gasoline-powered vehicles.

The Achilles heel of electric cars is range and price. Everybody wants one, especially those who live in congested cities. The very latest car with a respectable city range and very fast charge time is the Kity 301, seen below in white.

The Kity 301 is a two seat, two door hatchback that could retail around the £7,500 mark with car tax, to make it one of the most economical to buy city cars in the UK. The range is likely to be 50-60 miles on a single charge at city speeds, with fast charging in around 20 minutes and a top speed more than enough to cope with fast moving city traffic.

You may be able to get a home charging outlet fitted free of charge, subject to conditions.

There may be Goverment backed incentive schemes to help offset the cost of replacing your existing petrol or diesel car.

Model	Top speed	Acceleration	Capacity adults+kids	Charging time	Nominal range	Market release date
BEV Electron	110 km/h (68 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds	5 adults	9 hrs with onboard charger 1.5 hrs with external charger	120 km (75 mi)	Available in Australia only.
BMW i3	150 km/h (93 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 8 seconds	4 adults	4h with the 240-volt charging unit or less than 30 minutes at public DC charging stations (when charging from 0 to 80%)	130 to 160 km (81 to 99 mi)	Released in Europe in 2013. A gasoline-powered range extender option is available to increased range to 240 to 300 km (150 to 190 mi)
BMW Brilliance Zinoro 1E	130 km/h (81 mph)				150 km (93 mi)	Released in China in early 2014.
BYD e6	140 km/h (87 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in < 8 seconds	5 adults		300 km (186 mi)	Field testing as taxi fleet began in Shenzhen, China in May 2010.
Chery QQ3 EV						Launched in China in March 2010
Chevrolet Spark EV					132 km (82 mi)	The first all-electric car from General Motors after the GM EV1. It was released in limited quantities in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013.
Citroën C-Zero	130 km/h (81 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 15.9 seconds.	4 adults	7 hours when charged from household; 30 minutes when charging from a quick charger system	150 km (93 mi)	Available in Europe.
Fiat 500e	88 mph (142 km/h)	0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds.			87 mi (140 km)	Available in California only
Ford Focus Electric	135 km/h (84 mph)	0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 10.2 seconds.	5 adults	18 to 20 hours when charged from 120v outlet; 3 to 4 hours when charged from 240V outlet.	122 km (76 mi)	Available in the U.S. since December 2011; available in Europe since August 2013.
Honda Fit EV	148 km/h (92 mph)	0-97 km/h (60 mph) in 9.5 seconds.			132 km (82 mi)
JAC J3 EV						Launched in China in 2010
Kia Soul EV					150 km (93 mi) EPA, 130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi) Kia	2014
Lightning GT	200 km/h (124 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in < 5 seconds.	2 adults	under an hour	240 km (149 mi)	2013
Mia electric	100 km/h (62 mph)		1 to 4 adults	3 to 5 hours when charged from household	125 km (78 mi)	Available in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Norway, Czech Republic, South Africa, Mexico
Mitsubishi i-MiEV	130 km/h (81 mph)		4 adults	7 to 14 hours when charged from household, depending on the type of power; 30 minutes when charging from a quick charger system (80% charged)	170 km (106 mi)	Released in Japan in July 2009 for fleet customers. Available in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, the U.S., Canada and some Latin American countries. As of July 2014, global sales reached 32,000 units, including the rebadged variants Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero sold in Europe.
Morgan Plus E	185 km/h (115 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 6 seconds.	2 adults
Nissan Leaf	150 km/h (93 mph)		5 adults	up to 20 hours when charged from 110/120v outlet; 8 hours when charging from 220/240 volt outlet; 30 minutes for 440v "quick charge" (to 80% of battery capacity)	EPA rating 117 km (73 mi); 2013 model: 121 km (75 mi) EPA / 200 km (120 mi) NEDC	Released in the U.S. and Japan in December 2010, is available in 35 countries. The Leaf is the top selling electric car ever, with global sales of 125,000 units by July 2014.
Renault Fluence ZE	135 km/h (84 mph), electronically limited		5 adults	battery swap in 5 minutes	135 km (84 mi) + 15 km limp home mode	Released in France in 2010, Israel in Jan 2012, UK in Jan 2012, Turkey in May 2012.
Renault Zoe	135 km/h (84 mph), electronically limited	0–100 km/h (62 mph), in 13.5 seconds	5 adults	six to nine hours with 3.7 kW, 30 minutes with 43 kW (80 %)	210 km (130 mi)	Released in France in December 2012
Smart electric drive second gen						Released in 2013
Tesla Model S	P85 kW·h 214 km/h (133 mph) 85 kW·h 201 km/h (125 mph) 60 kW·h 193 km/h (120 mph)	P85 kW·h 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 4.2 seconds 85 kW·h 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 5.6 seconds 60 kW·h 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 5.9 seconds	5 adults + 2 kids (optional)	battery swap in 1.5 minutes; 50% in about 20 minutes by Tesla Superchargers	85 kW·h 426 km (265 mi) (EPA) 483 km (300 mi) (Tesla Motors) 60 kW·h 335 km (208 mi) (EPA) 370 km (230 mi) (Tesla Motors)	Available in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Hong Kong. As of June 2014, a total of 39,163 units have been delivered.
Venturi Fétish	200 km/h (124 mph)	0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds.	2 adults	3 hours with external charge booster, 8 hours with onboard charging system	340 km (211 mi)	2006 to present
Volkswagen e-Up!	130 km/h (81 mph)		4 adults	2.3 kW plugged into any standard 230V socket, 3.6 kW via a home-installed wall box or with up to 40 kW plugged into a DC fast-charging station	160 km (99 mi)	Relea

Model	Type of PEV⁽¹⁾	Original MRSP⁽²⁾ /Lease per month (current $)	Range (EV mode for PHEVs)	Comments
Models currently available in some markets (2007–2014)
Buddy	BEV	144,900 kroner (~US$24,000) to 186,850 kroner (~US$30,500)	50 mi (80 km)(Lead-acid battery) 75 mi (121 km) (NiMH battery)	A total of 754 units have been sold in Norway between 2008 and the first quarter of 2013. Since its inception in 1991, combined sales of the Kewet and Buddy totaled about 1,500 units through October 2013, mainly in Norway.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO	BEV	4 million yen (~US$43,000) to US$29,125 (US)	100 mi (160 km)	Fleet leasing began in July 2009, and sales to the public began in Japan in April 2010, followed by Hong Kong and Australia in 2010, and several European countries, Costa Rica, Chile, Canada and the U.S. in 2011.
Chery QQ3 EV	BEV	CN¥40,000 (~US$6,480) after incentives	100 km (62 mi)	Deliveries began in China in March 2010. Sales during 2012 totaled 5,305 units, making the QQ3 EV the best selling all-electric car in China in 2012, with a market share of 44% of total electric cars sales that year. Cumulative sales since January 2012 reached 9,512 units through October 2013.
JAC J3 EV	BEV	CN¥158,000 (~US$25,595)	130 km (81 mi)	Launched in China in 2010. Cumulative sales reached 4,068 units through December 2012. A third generation model, called JAC J3 iev, was launched in September 2012.
Tazzari Zero	BEV	€20,300 (~US$29,200) GB£21,500 (~US$34,850)	140 km (87 mi)	Sales began in several European countries in 2010. A total of 34 units were sold in Norway in 2011.
Nissan Leaf	BEV	US$32,780⁽⁴⁾ (MY 2011) US$36,020 (MY 2012) US$29,650 (MY 2013)	MY 2011/12 73 mi (117 km MY 2013 75 mi (121 km) MY 2014/15 84 mi (135 km)	About 140,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide since December 2010, making the Nissan Leaf the world's best-selling highway-capable electric car in history. The United States is the top selling market with 63,944 units sold through September 2014, followed by Japan with 45,342 units, and Europe with over 28,000 units. The European market leader is Norway with 11,020 new Leafs sold and over 14,600 units registered (includes over 3,000 used imports) as of September 2014, followed by the UK with 6,115 units sold, and France with 3,302 units.
Chevrolet Volt	PHEV	US$41,000 (MY 2011) US$39,995 (MY 2012) US$34,995 (MY 2014)	35 mi (56 km)	As of September 2014, the Volt and Ampera models have combined global sales of over 83,600 units. Volt sales are led by the United States with 69,092 units sold, followed by Canada with 3,725 units, and the Netherlands with 1,060 units registered. A total of 9,334 Opel/Vauxhall Amperas have been sold in Europe through August 2014, with the Netherlands as the leading market with 4,970 Amperas registered as of September 2014 followed by Germany with 1,493 Amperas sold through September 2014.
Smart electric drive	BEV	2nd generation Leasing only GB£375/month (UK) US$599/mo (US) 3rd generation US$25,750 (US)	2nd generation 63 mi (101 km) 3rd generation 90 mi (140 km)^[	More than 8,800 units have been sold in North America and Europe through June 2014. This figure includes over 2,300 units of the second generation models leased in 18 markets around the world between 2009 and October 2012. Of these, 1,721 units were registered in Europe through October 2012,and 527 units in the U.S. through December 2012. During 2013 a total of 4,130 units of the third generation were sold worldwide. Over 6,500 units of the third generation have been sold through June 2014. As of June 2014, combined sales of both generations reached 3,959 units in Germany, 2,542 units in the U.S. and 865 units in France.
Wheego Whip LiFe	BEV	US$32,995	100 mi (160 km)	U.S. sales began in April 2011. A total of 34 units have been sold by March 2012.
Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric	BEV	€1,500/mo (US$1,955) Leasing only	93 mi (150 km)	A total of 209 units have been leased in Europe through October 2012. Since 2011 a total of 149 units have been delivered in Sweden through March 2013.
BYD e6	BEV	369,800 RMB ~US$32,995	190 mi (310 km)	Sales to the general public began in October, 2011, in Shenzhen, China. A total of 33 units were sold in 2010, 401 during 2011, and cumulative sales in China reached 5,059 units through June 2014.
Bolloré Bluecar	BEV	€19,000 (US$24,850) + €80/mo (US$105) fee for the battery (VAT not included)	250 km (160 mi)	Retail sales began in February 2013. Owners can access the Autolib' network of charging stations around Paris for an optional monthly fee of €15 (US$20). A total of 3,302 units have been registered in France through July 2014, with over 2,000 units deployed for the Autolib' carsharing program. The Bolloré Bluecar was the top selling highway-capable electric car in the French market in 2012.
Ford Focus Electric	BEV	US$39,995	76 mi (122 km)	U.S. Deliveries for fleet customers began in December 2011 and to retail customers in May 2012. Initially sales are limited to New York, New Jersey and California. A total of 3,965 units have been delivered in the U.S. through September 2014.
BMW ActiveE	BEV	Leasing only US$499/month for 24 months + US$2,250 downpayment	94 mi (151 km)	Field testing in the U.S. began in January 2012, after the Mini E trial ended. Available only in Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston, and select markets in Connecticut. This is a demonstration program only with no plans for a production version. The ActiveE was followed by mass-production of the BMW i3 electric car. A total of 671 units were leased in the U.S. through September 2013.
Renault Fluence Z.E.	BEV	205,000 DKK (€27,496) + a monthly fee for the battery	100 mi (160 km)	Since 2010 a total of 3,459 units have been sold worldwide through May 2013, with 2,068 registered in Europe. In France, 725 units have been registered through June 2014. The battery leasing service is provided by Renault. The Fluence Z.E. was the only electric car deployed within the Better Place network in Israel and Denmark. Less than 1,000 units were deployed in Israel and around 400 units in Denmark through May 2013, when the company filed for bankruptcy.
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid	PHEV	US$32,000 (base) to US$39,525 (advanced)	11 mi (18 km)	As of September 2014, global sales totaled 65,300 units, with the United States as the market leader with 36,680 units delivered, followed by Japan with about 19,100 units, and Europe with around 9,100 units. The leading European markets are the Netherlands with 3,955 units registered as of August 2014, followed by the UK with 1,089 units registered as of March 2014 and Sweden with 1,053 units registered as of September 2014.
Tesla Model S	BEV	US$95,400 to US$105,400 (premium) US$57,400 to US$77,400 (base)	265 mi (426 km) (model with 85 kWh pack) 208 mi (335 km) (model with 60 kWh pack)	About 47,000 units have been sold worldwide as of September 2014. Sales are led by the United States with about 31,500 units delivered through September 2014, followed by Norway with 5,518 units, China with about 2,800 units, the Netherlands with 2,150 units registered as of September 2014, and Canada with 1,200 units sold through August 2014.
Honda Fit EV	BEV	Leasing only US$389/month for 3 years	82 mi (132 km)	A total of 1,007 units have been leased in the U.S. through September 2014. In July 2014 Honda announced the end of production of the Fit EV for the 2015 model, together with the Honda Insight hybrid and the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell car. The Fit EV was released through leasing to local government and corporate customers in Japan in August 2012. Availability in Japan is limited to 200 units during its first two years.
RAV4 EV second generation	BEV	US$49,800	103 mi (166 km)	Produced jointly by Toyota and Tesla Motors. Initial production will be limited to 2,600 units through 2014 and is available only in California. The battery supply deal between Toyota and Tesla is set to conclude by the end of 2014. A total of 2,255 units have been sold in the U.S. through September 2014.
Ford C-Max Energi	PHEV	US$33,745	20 mi (32 km)	Over 16,200 units have been sold in North America through September 2014, with 16,014 units delivered in the U.S. through September 2014 and 199 units in Canada through December 2013.
Renault Zoe	BEV	€20,700 (US$27,250) + a monthly fee for the battery	210 km (130 mi)	The cost of leasing the battery for 36 months starts from €79/month (US$104/month). Global sales passed the 10,000 unit milestone in February 2014. As of June 2014, sales are led by France with 7,637 units, followed by Germany with 1,532 units, and the Netherlands with 632 units. Cumulative global sales reached 12,631 units through June 2014.
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid	PHEV	~ €50,000 ~ GB£40,000	50 km (31 mi)	Over 11,000 units have sold in Europe through May 2014. As of June 2014, sales are led by the Netherlands with 8,231 units, followed by Sweden with 931 units delivered.
Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid	PHEV	US$39,780	13 mi (21 km)	A total of 835 units have been sold in the U.S. through September 2014. The Accord PHEV was introduced in Japan in June 2013 and it is available only for leasing, primarily to corporations and government agencies. As of December 2013, the Accord PHEV ranks as the third best selling plug-in hybrid in the Japanese market.
Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV	PHEV	¥3,324,000 US$36,650 to ¥4,297,000 (US$47,380)	60 km (37 mi)	As of June 2014, about 33,000 units have been sold worldwide, led by the European market with over 17,235 units. As of August 2014, the largest country market is Japan with 16,518 units sold, followed by the Netherlands, the top European market, with 14,195 units registered, Sweden with 1,692 units, and Norway with 1,092 units by mid-September 2014. The Outlander P-HEV was the top selling plug-in electric vehicle in Europe during the first half of 2014.
Roewe E50	BEV	CN¥234,900 (US$37,589)	180 km (110 mi)	Available only in China, with 238 units sold in 2012 and 7 units during the first half of 2013. Deliveries began in Shanghai in January 2013.
Ford Fusion Energi	PHEV	US$39,495 (Feb 2013) US$35,525 (Jan 2014)	20 mi (32 km)	Released in the U.S. in February 2013. Over 15,500 units have been sold in North America through September 2014, with 15,412 units delivered in the U.S. through September 2014 and 116 units in Canada through December 2013.
Mahindra e2o	BEV	Rs 7.0 lakh (US$12,900) to Rs 8.5 lakh (US$15,670)	100 km (62 mi)	About 400 units have been sold in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka by mid November 2013.
Chevrolet Spark EV	BEV	US$27,495	82 mi (132 km)	The Spark EV was released in South Korea in October 2013. 1,303 units have been sold in the U.S. market through July 2014.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive	BEV	€416,500 (US$544,236) in Germany	250 km (160 mi)	Limited production. Sales began in Europe in June 2013.
Fiat 500e	BEV	US$32,500	87 mi (140 km)	Launched in July 2013, the 500e is initially available only in California. About 1,490 units sold in the U.S. through July 2014.
McLaren P1	PHEV	GB£866,000 (~ US$1,350,000)	19 mi (31 km)	Deliveries to retail customers started in the UK in October 2013. Production is limited to 375 units to maintain exclusivity. The entire production was sold out by mid November 2013.
Volkswagen e-Up!	BEV	€26,900 (~US$34,500)	160 km (99 mi)	A total of 4,952 e-Up! cars have been sold in Europe through June 2014. The market leader is Norway, with 921 units registered through February 2014, followed by the Netherlands with 588 units sold through December 2013.
BMW i3	BEV and PHEV option	€34,950 (US$46,400) in Germany US$42,275 in the U.S. plus US$3,850 for range-extender option.	130 to 160 km (80 to 100 mi) with range extender 240 to 300 km (150 to 190 mi)	Global sales passed the 10,000 unit milestone in September 2014. Germany is the leading market, with 2,299 units registered through August 2014, followed by the U.S. with 2,082 units delivered up to August 2014, and Norway with 1,536 units registered through August 2014.
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid	PHEV	€110,409 in Germany US$99,000 in the U.S.	32 km (20 mi)	As of December 2013, a total of 90 units had been delivered in France, 86 units in the United States, 59 in the Netherlands, 14 in Spain, and about 12 in Germany. Cumulative sales in the U.S. reached 698 units through August 2014. Global sales between January and August 2014 totaled over 1,500 units, presenting 9% of all Panamera models sold worldwide.
Kandi EV	BEV	Leasing only US$130 to US$160 per month	120 km (75 mi)	The Kandi EV city car was deployed in 2013 in China as part of the Kandi EV CarShare, an electric car vending machine-like carsharing program in the city of Hangzhou. The car is also available for leasing of between 1 to 3 years. Sales totaled 5,239 units in the first half of 2014.
BYD Qin	PHEV	189,800 rmb (~US$31,000)	70 km (43 mi)	Since December 2013 cumulative sales in China totaled 9,615 units through September 2014.
Cadillac ELR	PHEV	US$75,995	35 mi (56 km)	Cumulative sales in North America reached 812 units up to August 2014, with 780 units sold in the U.S. and 32 units in Canada.
BMW Brilliance Zinoro 1E	BEV	Leasing only 7,400 RMB per month (~US$1,200)	150 km (93 mi)	Only available for leasing in Beijing and Shanghai.
Kia Soul EV	BEV	42 million won ( ~US$39,400) in South Korea US$33,700 in the U.S.	93 mi (150 km)	Sales in South Korea totaled 218 units through June 2014.
BMW i8	PHEV	US$135,925 (~ €103,000 GB£86,800)	37 km (23 mi)(NEDC) 15 mi (24 km) (EPA)	A total of 60 units were delivered in Europe up to June 2014. As of August 2014, registrations in the German market totaled 160 units.
Porsche 918 Spyder	PHEV	US$845,000	12 mi (19 km)	A total of 4 units have been delivered in the U.S. through July 2014; 3 in the Netherlands up to June 2014; and 2 in Sweden through July 2014.
Volkswagen XL1	PHEV	€111,000 (~US$146,000)	50 km (31 mi)	VW expects its diesel-powered PHEV to achieved 0.9 l/100 km (260 mpg_-US), becoming the most fuel-efficient car in the world.
Volkswagen e-Golf	BEV	€34,900 (~US$47,800) in Europe US$35,445 in the U.S.	130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi)	Retail deliveries began in Europe in May 2014. U.S sales are slated to start on selected markets in November 2014. A total of 1,358 Volkswagen e-Golf cars have been sold in Europe through August 2014, of which, 925 units were sold in Norway.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive	BEV	US$41,450	87 mi (140 km)	Deliveries began in the U.S. in July 2014. A total of 92 units have been sold in the U.S. through August 2014.
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron	PHEV	€37,000 US$49,000	50 km (31 mi)	Sales across Europe began in August 2014. Retail sales in the U.S. are scheduled to begin in early 2015. The first units were registered in Germany in August 2014. A total of 250 units have been registered in Germany as of September 2014.
Volkswagen Golf GTE	PHEV	€36,900 (~US$48,390)	50 km (31 mi)	Market launch in Europe was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2014. The first units were registered in Germany in August 2014. A total of 89 units have been registered in Germany as of September 2014.
Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-in Hybrid	PHEV	€108,945 (~US$146,000)	30 km (19 mi)	Deliveries were scheduled to begin in Europe in September 2014 and early 2015 in the U.S. A total of 17 units have been registered in Germany as of September 2014.
Venucia e30	BEV	CN¥267,800 (~ US$43,705)	160 km (99 mi)	The Venucia e30 is the Chinese manufactured version of the Nissan Leaf, and as such, shares many features of the Leaf, including bodywork, dimensions, and electric-drive specifications. Dongfeng Nissan started pilot projects in Guangzhou, Xiangyang and Dalian in 2013, with a total of 300 rebadged Leafs deployed since local production of the Venucia e30 had not began at the time.
Notes: PHEV: Plug-in hybrid vehicle, BEV: Battery electric vehicle or electric car. (1) Plug-in conversions are not included. (2) Sales price does not reflect any government incentives or tax credits, except where noted. Prices are shown for comparison purposes only. Actual price may vary by country and by dealership.(3) U.S. price (4) US$32,780 is U.S. price, ¥3.76 million (US$40,500) in Japan, €32,839 (US$40,800) in the Netherlands and €34,955 (US$43,400) in Portugal, all before any government incentive and exchange rate as of May 18, 2010.

SMARTCHARGER - Potentially the world's fastest electric car: 400mph using energy from nature. Featuring built in battery swapping system, charged using renewable solar energy. A project in waiting in PR terms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_modern_production_plug-in_electric_vehicles