The 7:30 report has an episode on the new generation of electric cars being touted at the Frankfurt Motor Show and by companies like Better Place - Electric cars new hope for ailing motor industry (via Convenient Solutions).

ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: After one of the toughest years in its history, the global motor industry is pinning its hopes on a new generation of electric cars to get back in the black. An unprecedented range of all electric models will be unveiled at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, which starts tonight. Next year, Mitsubishi launch the first mass-produced electric vehicle in Australia, and the ACT is already expanding its electricity grid to accommodate the recharging of electric cars. But it's not just the big names trying to get a share of the action. Thea Dikeos reports.

EVAN THORNLEY, BETTER PLACE AUSTRALIA: I think the electric vehicle is going to be the biggest industrial transformation of our generation.

ROBERT MCENIRY, MITSUBISHI MOTORS AUSTRALIA: The global demand is quite extraordinary. The speed with which the interest in electric vehicles has accelerated is quite interesting and really quite staggering.

THEA DIKEOS, REPORTER: The technology has been touted for decades, but now, with fears of climate change and the skyrocketing price of oil driving consumer demand, big carmakers are finally embracing the electric alternative.

EVAN THORNLEY: I think if you look at where all the major car manufacturers are going, that's clear; if you look at the position of the Obama administration in the US, if you look at the position of the Chinese Government. So that's the two biggest markets in the world; they've basically signalled that they are moving electric and quickly.

THEA DIKEOS: Next year, Mitsubishi will be the first major manufacturer to roll out an electric vehicle called the i MiEV on Australian roads. ...

The SMH has a big selection of reports from the Frankfurt motor show, highlighting a slew of electric car and high fuel efficiency vehicle designs on show. First up, Renault's small flock of new electric cars - .

Renault plans to have four electric vehicles on sale by 2012. The French car maker previewed four electric concept vehicles at this week's Frankfurt motor show and says all four will make it into full-scale production. The vehicles follow on from the launch of the Leaf electric car released by Renault's Japanese partner Nissan earlier this year. They include a two-seater city runabout, two conventional cars and a van. The cocoon-shaped runabout uses a 15kW electric motor to produce similar acceleration to a 125cc motorbike, although it has a top speed of just 75km/h.

Volkswagon are displaying a high efficiency diesel engined Polo that beats the current Toyota Prius hybrid on fuel efficiency - VW reveals Prius-beating Polo.

Volkswagen chairman Ulrich Hackenberg said the Polo Bluemotion, a diesel-engined version of the compact five and three-door hatch revealed over the past few weeks, would use 3.3 litres of fuel per 100km and emit 87 grams of carbon dioxide a kilometre. The Toyota Prius, currently Australia's greenest car, uses 3.9L/100km and produces 89g/km CO2. Dr Hackenberg said the Polo was the new world leader for fuel economy in its class.

Hyundai are planning to release an EV next year - Hyundai to trial electric car in 2010.

The Korean car maker, which recently launched the world's only LPG hybrid vehicle, confirmed it would begin a limited production run of the Hyundai i10 Electric in 2010. The i10 Electric is powered by lithium ion batteries and has a driving range of 160km on a single charge. It weighs just 1000kg, courtesy of extensive use of drive-by-wire technology and electrically operated pumps and pulleys in the engine.

And to close, Peugeot are also getting in on the tiny electric car act as well - Peugoet BB1: shorter than a Smart Fortwo.

The award for trying hardest at this year's Frankfurt motor show has to go to French maker Peugeot and its BB1 micro-car. Similar to the design strategy employed for other light cars already on sale, the BB1 has four wheels pushed right to each corner. The body consists of an upright box, but it is how Peugeot has packaged it that makes all the difference. It's an electric car. And it seats four people in a body that measures just 2.5 metres long, making it shorter than a two-seater Smart Fortwo. ...

Solar panels formed into the roof help recharge the BB1's batteries, as well as running the air-conditioning system while the car is parked so that it's not too hot, or cold, once the driver returns.

Todd Woody at The New York Times' Green Inc blog has a post on some announcements from Better Place at the Frankfurt motor show - Better Place Unveils Electric-Car Software.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday, Better Place, which builds electric-vehicle charging networks, is expected to take the wraps off a software platform that tells drivers when and where to charge their batteries, while giving utilities the ability to manage the impact of tens of thousands of vehicles tapping into the power grid. ...

The car’s on-board software system, which Better Place calls AutOS, will run on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded software on an Intel Atom processor. A video display will tell drivers how far they can drive and the location of the nearest charging post or switch station. ...

The software rollout comes as Better Place faces competition from other electric car networks, including Coulomb Technologies and Ecotality.