The Globe and Mail

Chevrolet Volt

AUDI A1 E-TRON: Still in development, the electric version of the gas-powered A1 (not sold in Canada) is about the size of Audi's TT. Audi says it will run on a lithium-ion battery and have a range in excess of 200 km on one charge.

TESLA ROADSTER: This EV is already on sale. A small, two-seat sports car running on thousands of cellphone batteries, the Tesla roadster can do 0-100 km in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed approaching 200 km/h.

MINI E: Mini’s EV is in field tests with 450 leasers in California, New York and New Jersey. Mini is testing this EV to learn about reliability and the duration of battery power. Engineers are also working to refine the abrupt stop-start action that comes with regenerative brakes.

Hyped for years, the Fisker Karma is a four-seat sedan that runs for about 70 km on pure battery power before the gasoline-powered engine turns on to charge the battery.

FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC: This one has a Canadian connection. Ontario-based supplier Magna International developed much of the car’s technology. It has a projected range of 160 km using its lithium-ion battery. Ford wants EVs that can be sold in high volumes to mainstream customers, which makes the Focus Electric a logical step for the auto maker.

TOYOTA FT-EV: Toyota's electric ride will share a platform with the iQ, a tiny car sold in Japan and Europe and coming to Canada next year as a Scion. Toyota says the electric version will use a lithium-ion battery to reach about 90 km/hour. The car is slated to launch in 2012.

TESLA MODEL S: This $49,990 (U.S.) has a predicted range of about 400 km and a 0-100 km/h time of less than six seconds, seating five adults. Tesla says it will charge at a “quick-charge” station in just 45 minutes. Deliveries are slated to begin 2011.

SMART FORTWO ELECTRIC DRIVE: Daimler’s Smart brand has been testing an electric version of its fortwo in Europe since 2007. The company has a program to test the fortwo EV in the United States now. The car has a lithium-ion battery and a small electric motor, combining for a range of 120 km or so.

TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN: A plug-in version of the Prius hybrid is being tested in Canada right now. The Toyota Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) is designed to deliver a range of more than 20 km and a top speed of almost 100 km/h on battery alone. A small onboard Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine enables the vehicle to revert to hybrid mode and operate like a regular Prius.