Top Green Electric Cars for 2011

We've all heard the talk of how electric cars are the future of automobiles. However, it seems like very few, if any major car companies actually produce them. For the last few years, most electric cars on the market are tiny, limited range vehicles, clearly not very useful for the majority of consumers. However, 2011 has some awesome electric cars to be released, from major manufacturers, both foreign and domestic. Check out these upcoming electric cars for 2011!

Nissan Leaf
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Getting an awesome 100 miles per complete battery charge, the Nissan Leaf leaves the old, limited range EV's in the dust. Capacity is 5 passengers in this stylish hatchback. The battery type is a lithium ion 24kWh than can be charged to 80% capacity in only 30 minutes using a fast charger. A slower charger will fully charge the battery in 20 hours. Nissan has warned against soley using the fast charger, as it will cut down on the battery life. The battery is expected to last 5-10 years, under normal use.
The 5-door Nissan Leaf certainly is no golf cart, with plenty of room. This cool upcoming electric car won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award and also the 2011 European Car of the Year award. It is certainly one to look forward to!

Ford Focus Electric
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Another electric hatchback is the Ford Focus Electric. Currently planned for production in summer of 2011, it also sports 5 doors, a range of 100 miles on one charge, and a length of 178.5 inches. Unfortunately, it will only have a limited release during the late part of 2011, in select major cities across the USA (including Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California). Supposedly, the Ford Focus Eletric will be able to fully charge in about half the time of the Nissan Leaf, according to a report from this years Consumer Electronics Show at EarthTechling.

Chevy Volt
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The Chevy Volt is one of the most discussed and hyped electric cars of 2011, and for good reason! It sports the capacity to carry 4 people and is not a true electric car. Instead, it is a hybrid, similar to the popular Toyota Prius, running on electricity or gasoline. Interestingly enough, the car's battery can carry passengers on pure electricity about 25 to 50 miles, depending on number of passengers and luggage. The car can switch over to a internal combustion engine for gasoline after it exhausts its pure electricity range of 25 to 50 miles that will charge the battery, so the car is only truly driving on electricity, albeit electricity generated by a gasoline-powered generator. Bluetooth integration is also a feature of this intriguing next-gen hybrid, along with a remote keyless starter and USB port.