Automakers detail electric car plans at L.A. show

By Nichola Groom and Kevin Krolicki

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Many of the world's biggest automakers on Wednesday detailed ambitious electric-car plans that promise zero emissions but will demand patience from consumers and subsidies from governments to succeed.

Nissan Motor Co, BMW's BMWG.DE> MINI, General Motors Corp and Volkswagen's Audi were among the automakers who promised, at the Los Angeles auto show, to bring electric cars to market in the next few years.

Consumers have been clamoring for greener vehicles amid soaring gasoline prices and increased concerns about global warming. The costly batteries required to power gas-free electric cars, however, are not powerful enough to deliver the long driving range car buyers are accustomed to.

"It's going to be a tough sell," said David Champion, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "People are used to buying their cars and being able to take them anywhere they want. There are a lot of hurdles for electric vehicles."

Of the cars unveiled at the show, the first one consumers will be able to drive is the Mini E, an all-electric Mini Cooper that will hit U.S. roads next year. The plug-in car will have a range of 156 miles before it needs recharging.

Initially, only 500 Mini E vehicles will be available in two markets -- California and New York -- so the company can gather details on their performance.

They will only be available for lease, for $850 a month.

BMW executives said that despite being all-electric, the Mini E would be as peppy and fun to drive as cars with traditional combustion engines.

Other automakers echoed that concern, saying the car's performance was paramount.

"As a responsible manufacturer we have to look at what the Audi interpretation of electric drive will be and you will see this in the near future," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, a board member of Audi, which is also working on an electric car. "The car would be extremely good looking and you will have a lot of fun driving it -- despite what's going on underneath."

Nissan and General Motors both have electric vehicles they plan to sell to consumers, beginning in 2010.

Nissan has yet to unveil its all-electric vehicle, but the company projected that about 10 percent of global vehicle sales by 2020 will be electric cars, equivalent to roughly 7 million units in annual sales.

But Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn conceded that a lot of uncertainty surrounds that forecast. "Whatever number I give you is going to be wrong," Ghosn said. "The reality is today there are zero electric cars on the market."

In order to jump-start demand for the zero-emission vehicles, governments at the national, state and city levels need to help provide incentives and establish infrastructure for electric recharging, Ghosn said.

Nissan has clinched tie-ups with governments in Japan, Israel, Denmark and Portugal as well as the U.S. states of Tennessee and, most recently, Oregon.