Here Come The Electric Vehicles

December has been the biggest month yet for the fledgling electric vehicle movement.

            On December 13^th, the first truckload of Chevy Volts left GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, bound for customers in California, Texas, Washington D.C, and New York. At the same time, Nissan has officially launched all-electric sales with the delivery of the first Leaf. On December 20^th, Nissan will roll out another batch of Leafs for customers in Arizona, Oregon, Seattle, and Tennessee.

            Other automakers aren’t far behind. Ford says it has begun shipping electric Transit Connect vans in North America. Smart USA has said its tiny Fortwo electric car will be available for rent in New York City through Hertz beginning December 15.

            Moreover, The Wall Street Journal reports Staples Inc. has ordered 41 electric trucks from Smith Electric Vehicles. Frito-Lay, FedEx Corp., AT&T Inc. and other companies have also begun purchasing electric delivery trucks. The newspaper says that electric trucks will appeal to businesses if they deliver savings on fuel costs and maintenance. “They have to justify themselves,” said a Staples VP. “They have to prove themselves and pull their own weight.”