All-electric cars tested

More and more car companies are coming out with cars that are all-electric — no gas needed. Several claim the equivalent of 100 mpg or more. The government tax credit of up to $7,500 could have you thinking about getting an electric vehicle.

Consumer Reports just tested some of the latest entries.

Ford calls the Ford Focus Electric the most fuel-efficient compact car in America. Consumer Reports finds it can get the equivalent of 107 mpg. The engineers compared it with other all-electric cars, including the smaller sub-compact Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

“The i-MiEV is even more fuel-efficient, getting the equivalent of 111 mpg. It’s also easy to park, but it’s slow and cramped, and it rides stiffly. In fact, our engineers thought it was more like a glorified golf cart,” said Consumer Reports' Rik Paul.

With any all-electric car, a primary consideration is how far it will go on a charge. Consumer Reports found the i-Miev’s range is around 60 miles.

“It takes 21 hours to recharge the i-MiEV on household current, but you can get a 240-volt charger installed in your house that will cut that time down to six hours,” said Paul.

The most luxurious all-electric car so far is the Tesla Model S. It claims a range of up to 265 miles. Special charging stations can charge the battery halfway in just 30 minutes.

“Our initial impression of the Model S is that it’s quick, agile, roomy, and refined. But it’s also expensive — starting at $57.000, and the top-of-the-line model is closer to $100,000,” said Paul.

The Ford Focus Electric falls somewhere in the middle. The one Consumer Reports tested cost $41,000. Its range is about 80 miles and a full charge takes less than four hours with a 240-volt charger.  The Ford Focus Electric performed well at the Consumer Reports test track, with impressive ride and handling. It proved a lot more fun to drive than the Nissan Leaf — the first of the new wave of electric cars.

Manufacturers are delivering a steady flow of all-electric cars. Electric versions of the Toyota RAV4 and Smart ForTwo are just out. And others are expected soon, including the Chevrolet Spark EV, Honda Fit EV, and Fiat 500e.