Gas no more

The Frankfurt Motor Show is seldom a forum for flights of fancy. The fact that this year's event has devoted so much square footage to electric vehicles goes to show the seriousness of battery power.Every major manufacturer is showcasing hybrid electric or pure electric concepts at the event, which is on this week and next. In some cases, the concepts took centre stage, stealing the limelight from actual production models.Audi's e-tron is one such example.The stunning sports car, which overshadowed the anticipated Audi R8 Spyder, is driven by an electric motor at each wheel.Combined, they produce 313bhp and 4,500Nm of torque, accelerating the two-seater to 100kmh in 4.8 seconds.The car's lithium-ion batteries can last 248km between charges.Rival companies BMW and Mercedes- Benz both have visions of the future. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel as well as two electric motors. Together, they produce 356bhp and 800Nm of torque.The car has exceptional aerodynamics, with a drag co-efficient of 0.22, the lowest of any BMW road car.Power is transmitted to the road via an enhanced version of BMW's existing seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, allowing the car to cover close to 50km on pure electric mode.The Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid also has an extended electric range. It has a direct-injection V6 coupled with a 44kW electric motor, giving a 0-100kmh timing of 5.5 seconds.Its lithium-ion batteries can be recharged by the engine or via a wall socket.Volkswagen showed off its funky E-Up!, which could be in showrooms from 2013. The 3+1 seater is driven by an electric motor with a peak output of 60kW.Driving the front wheels, the motor has 210Nm of torque from the word go.Instead of a gear lever, the E-Up! has a rotary knob at the centre console. Zero to 100kmh is accomplished in 11.3 seconds.Despite its 240kg of batteries, the car weighs only 1,085kg. It has a range of 130km between charges.Not to be outdone, French carmaker Renault, which is producing a series of electric cars with partner Nissan, exhibited four e-cars.The Renault Twizy ZE concept is an ultra-compact two-seater powered by a 15kW motor. Its footprint is barely larger than a scooter's, with acceleration comparable to a 125cc motorbike.The Renault Zoe ZE concept is a fourseat supermini. It features a 70kW motor and has a 160km range. It is characterised by 21-inch alloy wheels and retractable rear spoiler for greater aerodynamic efficiency.The Fluence ZE concept is an electric version of Renault's elegant five-seat Fluence saloon. With a range of 160km, it will be supplied to the Israeli market in a joint project with Better Place, a group that is advocating electric vehicle infrastructure.Finally, the Kangoo ZE concept, a light van with a 70kW motor and solar roof panels.Fellow French company PSA Peugeot- Citroen also showcased its own line-up of electric and hybrid concepts, including the Peugeot BB1, a four-seater measuring no longer than 2.5m bumper to bumper.Peugeot unveiled the RCZ HYbrid4, a sporty diesel-electric car, as well. It has a 2-litre 163bhp diesel engine as well as a 37bhp rear-mounted electric motor, for a total output of 200bhp.Although Ford Motor is not showcasing any fanciful concept, it unveiled its next generation of four-cylinder petrol engines that could find its way into future hybrid models.Called EcoBoost, it is a global engine family that features direct petrol injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing. Consumption is typically 20 per cent more efficient than conventional engines of the same size. Available in 1.6- and 2-litre forms, they will be found in cars from next year.