Tesla Whitestar

EVM score: 6
Range: 250 mi
Speed: Highway capable, 0-60 6 sec
Price: $50,000-$65,000
Battery: Li-ion
Safe: Yes
If the Roadster is any indication of what the White Star will look like, then be prepared for a beauty. People will pay this price for an electric car and there might even be a waiting list, but, it still is not at a price that will meet the masses. That will probably be the third vehicle. Who knows, they may not be the first to get there but by building experience in the smaller luxury market they may be the best. And one more thing, Tesla will eventually have to switch to advanced Li-ion batteries. It will all depend on how seamless they can make that transition or if they are stubborn and stick with their battery.

ZAP-X

EVM score: 6
Range: 350 miles
Speed: 0-60 4.8 sec., top sp 150 mph
Price: ?
Batteries: Advanced Li-ion from ABAT
Safe: Probably
This is a pretty sexy little car with performance to match its looks. Problem is, you know that performance is going to be expensive. Four PML Flightlink in wheel motors aren't cheap. I'd say they will charge $72,000. Just guess. So once again, it's nice, people will buy it but it won't meet the masses. Maybe the next version will.

Chevy Volt

EVM score: 10
Range: 40 miles electric only
Speed: easily freeway capable
Price: well under $30,000
Batteries: Li-Iron Phosphate from A123 Systems
Safe: yes
There are so many things to love about this vehicle. You never run out of power because of the range extender. It will fit your whole family. It looks great and even masculine, a first for an electric car. The performance will likely be lively. And the price is right. You can't go wrong, right? Well, then again, it's heavy, having both an ICE and electric power train. One hit to range. It's beautiful but not very aerodynamic, another hit. Performance is a third trade off to range. So they shoot themselves in the foot by trying to be all things to all people. If they can somehow pull it off and still make a profit at under 30K than my hats off to GM. My advice is take some weight off and then your battery won't have to be so big.

News:
GM receives its first battery to begin testing in mule car. Confidence is +90% to have 60-100k cars in production the first year, 2010.