What to see at the Paris Motor Show: electric vehicles

The world's automakers have clambered to introduce electric vehicles at the Paris Motor Show this year, with most hinting that even if they didn't have a car ready, they would soon.

Volvo's CEO Stefan Jacoby told a press conference that the future of his brand lies in electric cars, promising that Volvo will "set a standard in the industry."

He also confirmed that the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric will go into production in 2011, ahead of a plug-in hybrid from the brand in 2012.

Visitors can see Volvo's all-electric C30 concept on the firm's stand at the show, but there are several other cars also on display that are likely to beat it to the roads.

Nissan is displaying the production version of its all-electric Leaf ahead of its market introduction in the UK, Portugal and Ireland over the coming months, with altered materials from the pre-production models currently out and about.

Mitsubishi confirmed that its i-MiEV, also on display at the show, will enter production in October and deliveries to 14 European markets will begin in December 2010.

Peugeot is also showing its iOn, a rebadged version of the i-MiEV, which will go on sale in January, with a 130 km range and top speed of 130 km/h.

Fellow French brand Renault officially launched the Fluence Z.E. at its stand September 30, saying that it plans for the vehicle to be available in Europe from the middle of next year.

Regular visitors to the French capital may also want to pay a visit to the Smart stand, where the Daimler-owned brand is showcasing the Smart Fortwo electric drive, which it hopes will be selected as one of the vehicles available as part of the Paris "Autolib" electric car sharing project.

The Paris Motor Show runs October 2-17.

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