Font size: 
The Tesla electric Roadster (Image: Tesla Motors)Ford Motor Company's head of electrification, Nancy Gioia, says the electric Focus is coming in 2011 -- no word yet on the price tag. GM's main electric offering, the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, rolls out late next year.
Environment writer Jim Motavalli calls the field embryonic now, but close to explosive growth. He's the author of the book "Forward Drive," and writes about electric cars for the "New York Times."
"I think Ford is actually at the forefront of the three, big American automakers," said Motavalli. "I think they actually have a good overall strategy. General Motors could be said to be putting all of its efforts into the Volt, and I think time will tell whether that's a good strategy or not. Because of its economic woes, Chrysler has announced that it's going to be building electric-drive vehicles, but I think they've been able to spend very little on developing those."
While Ford may be at the forefront, Motavalli says the company is still "very conservative" in the space. "They don't think there's a lot of early adopters out there."
Internationally, he thinks Japan's Nissan has the "smartest overall strategy for vehicle electrification."
"And what's smart about their approach is they've also got into the charging business. The Renoit-Nissan alliance has built strategic alliances around the world to set up charging stations."
read more on this story
