Major makers announce electric cars for US
Ford, GM and Toyota have all announced electric cars to be launched in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the USA
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Ford is to introduce a new battery electric commercial van in 2010, a new battery electric small car in 2011, to be jointly developed with Magna International and “Next generation” hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version in 2012
GM’s offering is the Chevrolet “Volt”, to be launched in late 2010, which will run for up 40 miles after a three hour charge on a 240V outlet or eight or nine hours when plugged into a 120V socket. When the battery runs out, an on-board petrol engine will self engage to generate electricity so that the car starts as a battery powered vehicle, then turns into a hybrid.
Toyota has announced that it will launch an all electric car for city commuting by 2012, although it still considers petrol electric hybrids to be the main basis of its planned future products.
Ford will be assisted in its $20 million programme by a $10 million grant form the US Department of Energy towards the cost of research, development and demonstration of plug in hybrid electric vehicles.
