Luxury Electric Cars Coming from BMW, Rolls Royce, Tesla, More

Originally, one of the main appeals of an electric car was to save money on gas by going green. Now, it seems that some of the eco-friendly cars will become luxury status symbols. Upscale manufacturers like BMW and Rolls Royce are rushing to bring electric cars to market alongside fuel efficient models like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt.

A range of car companies are betting that there's room at the high end of the market for electric cars that could become status symbols for owners who want to convey an eco-friendly image but not sacrifice luxury for the sake of going green.

BMW

The famed German automaker recently announced a line of luxury electric cars that will debut in 2013 under a new brand. The BMWi series of plug-in cars will be made from aluminum and carbon fiber. The company promises that the electric cars will offer the same driving excitement of their gas-powered models, with a planned hybrid sports car boasting a zero-to-sixty time of under five seconds.

Don't expect these electric cars to be targeted at cost-conscious drivers looking to save money on their fuel spending. Despite the use of green technology, the key selling point is luxury, with a sticker price to match.

"Some people are interested in having more flexibility when it comes to driving cars," Ian Robertson, BMW's head of marketing, said. "The logic is simple: I'll pay for it when I want to use it. "

Rolls Royce

Perhaps the ultimate luxury car brand, Rolls Royce, unveiled its own version of the electric car for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX is still an experimental car, and not available for sale to the public. But the company says it will be carefully evaluating the car's green technology and its effect on performance, as well as the reaction of its target market - super luxury buyers who can afford to go green while spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car.

"We have engineered the world's first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of the famed British automaker. "With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drivetrains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future. I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience," Müller-Ötvös said. "It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future."

Tesla Roadster

An American car company is also looking to capitalize on the eco-friendly leanings of customers most able to afford high-priced performance cars. Tesla Motors of California has introduced a series of plug-in electric cars that target wealthy drivers looking to make a statement about their commitment to green technology, but not at the expense of performance.

The Tesla Roadster and the more powerful Tesla Roadster Sport sell for $110,000 and $130,000, respectively. The Sport version will go from zero to sixty miles per hour in a heart-pounding 3.7 seconds, without using a single drop of gasoline.

"What we tried to do is show that an electric vehicle didn't have to sacrifice performance or style or looks in order to be electric or wean ourselves off gasoline," says Ricardo Reyes, VP of communications for Tesla Motors. "Our goal at the end of the day is not only to sell cars but to educate people about the benefits of electric vehicles. Some people think of it as a hybrid -- it's not a hybrid. A hybrid is a bridge technology that will eventually lead to the electric vehicle. We're already offering an electric vehicle."

Nissan

Even Nissan, the maker of the Leaf electric car, has its sights set on the higher end of the automotive market. The company will debut a two-seat sports car called the Nissan Esflow, which is designed to compete with upscale eco-friendly models such as those from Tesla and BMW.

"It tells you something about the future of Nissan based on our sports heritage," says Francois Bancon, Deputy Division General Manager at Nissan. "ESFLOW is a concept but of course this shows our serious considerations of EVs sports car in the future. We are a sports car company and a leader in EV."