Electric
and hybrid cars are the focus of the Detroit Auto Show as the world’s
automakers unveiled a number of these vehicles, a sign of how much
emphasis auto companies are placing on the electrification of vehicles,
the New York Times reported.
Among the hybrid
gas-electric and battery-powered vehicles on display are the Nissan
Leaf, Commuter Cars’ 39-inch wide Tango, a concept version of Toyota’s
Prius called the FT-CH and Honda’s CR-Z coupe.
The
focus on electric and hybrid cars is apparently more than just a desire
to reduce oil dependency and help the environment. It will also help
automakers meet future emission regulations, the Times reported.
The
new U.S. standards require automakers’ fleets to achieve 35.5 miles a
gallon by 2016, up from 27.5 miles a gallon today, according to the
Times.