Battery life and sticker price have been two of the major stumbling blocks for electric cars.

The electric car is not dead after all. Several big auto manufacturers are racing ahead with low- or zero-emission technology, and a new generation of electric vehicles should be widely available in Canada as early as 2012. http://thechemistrysideoftheforce.blogspot.com/

This much-desired concept is being improved by the day, and concerns once seen as all-but-insurmountable are melting away.

BATTERY RANGE

What’s the concern?
Many drivers want to own cleaner vehicles, but are worried electric cars simply cannot travel far enough to meet their needs.

What’s changing?
The Nissan Leaf — an all-electric, zero-emission vehicle set for release in late 2011 — will have a single-charge range of 160 km.

“We feel that the best way to control CO2 emissions is by producing none at all,” says Mark McDade, director of marketing at Nissan Canada Inc. “The average commuting driver in Canada has an average round trip of 30-40 km. With a range of 160, those drivers’ needs are completely satisfied.”

Toyota, manufacturer of the successful Prius hybrid vehicle, is focusing on several options, all of which are good on range.

“Right now, we’ve announced a global demonstration program for our plug-in Toyota Prius hybrid,” says Rodney Jones, manager of advanced technology and powertrain at Toyota Canada. “That vehicle will be available for consumers in 2012, as well as the battery electric vehicle that we are working on.”