Frequent readers of HybridMile have read plenty of articles about all-electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. These stories rarely touch on the American public’s broader knowledge of electric vehicles. The assumption that every American household is familiar with all-electric and hybrid options is challenged by a recent report from the UC-Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

Well, that may be a thing of the past with the ongoing development of the world’s first fully submersible car.

Readers of HybridMile have read a few stories in the past about Nissan’s commitment to bringing hybrid and all-electric vehicles to the market in the near future. The motor company’s representatives used its advanced technology briefing to unveil additional information about HEV and EV offerings that are slated for 2010. Nissan also highlighted its ongoing development of lithium ion battery packs that will enable both vehicles to operate efficiently.

We have posted several stories on HybridMile about all-electric vehicles that are emerging in markets around the world. Each story has noted that one of the problems with all-electric cars and trucks is the strain placed on existing utility grids. Electronic Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) has received funding from the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to take a step toward solving the electric grid issue.

The upcoming release of the Typ-1 electric vehicle by California-based Aptera Motors has been buoyed by recent investments from companies like Google.com. Aptera Motors has received nearly $24 million in venture funding from Google.com, Esenjay Investments, Actacell and Idealab to advance development of the next generation of electric vehicles. The executives at Aptera Motors have stated that they want to use most of the funding to improve its production facility in Vista, California.

The designers and presenters from the NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) Car Company may have made the greatest strides toward commercial success in the recent British International Motor Show. This London-based car company unveiled five vehicles in total that run entirely on electricity and function well in city environments. NICE has expanded its inventory to address the needs of families, commuters and vacationers looking to drive into the country.

The recent announcement that General Motors is partnering with 30 utilities throughout the United States to develop stations for electric vehicles may seem self-serving at first. Readers of HybridMile are likely aware that General Motors has plans to unveil its all-electric Chevy Volt in 2010. The initial reaction that GM is looking at its bottom line as it works with utilities in 37 states on an electrical infrastructure overlooks the overwhelming challenges to this project.

Former Formula One designer Gordon Murray has thrown his considerable expertise behind a diminutive car called the T.25. This vehicle’s main feature is its smaller frame than the smart fortwo that allows a driver to park bumper first into a street parking space. Gordon Murray Design has touted the fact that three T.25 cars will be able to fit into a traditional space on a city street. The first prototype of this community vehicle will be produced in 2009 with wider distribution in Asia and Europe thereafter.

The Detroit Free Press has reported that Chrysler has created a new division called ENVI to develop vehicles that run entirely on electricity. Chrysler’s representatives stated that ENVI’s work toward advanced motor systems will take between three to five years to produce anything viable in the marketplace. Many experts see the newly created ENVI division as a response to fuel efficiency standards and grumblings by dealers about Chrysler’s sales.