As crude oil and gasoline prices soar, consumers are getting more and more agitated with the pain at the pump.  Wallets are getting tighter and demand for electric vehicles continues to soar.

Recent data from the Nielsen Energy Survey was analyzed by E Source and they discovered that 85% of US consumers would purchase a battery-driven car. Of the 85%, 3% would buy one immediately, 25% wanted to wait before the technology is proven and becomes more mainstream, and an overwhelming 57% would purchase one when their current car needed to be replaced.  Mainstream automakers such as Chevrolet and Nissan have already produced mass market electric vehicles and other manufacturers are not far behind.

Battery-driven cars have developed into two different categories, plug-in electric hybrid version (PHEV) and all-electric.  The PHEV cars have an electric charge and backup gas engine option such as the popular Chevrolet Volt.  The Volt can drive a range of 35 miles with no emissions on the electric charge but if a driver needs to go farther they can switch to the gas engine and travel an additional 375 miles or until the car can be charged again. 

The all-electric vehicles, such as the Nissan LEAF, strictly rely on their battery charge.  The LEAF has no emissions and can travel approximately 100 miles per charge.  Due to the PHEV flexibility of electricity and gas for distance, 58% of respondents preferred the PHEV version compared to only 8% who favored the all-electric version.

The cost of gasoline continues to change the auto industry focus to fuel efficiency and electric cars.  The Volt and LEAF are major steps in advancement but automakers are pouring millions of dollars into electric car research so they can develop the best and newest option for consumers.

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