One of Austin EV's cars.

Electric cars seem to be shedding their image as gimmicky little utility vehicles and moving into the mainstream. And Austin is leading the way with a city-sponsored program that entices drivers to trade the pump for a plug-in.

A new documentary gave local electric cars owners a chance to show what modern versions of the vehicles can do. Who Killed the Electric Car looks at the demise of the EV1 over the last 10 years.

On Saturday, electric car owners in Austin met at the Regal Arbor Cinema to watch the film together and display their vehicles in the parking lot.

"An electric vehicle is perfectly practical. The truth is the cars can get the range that the majority of people out there actually need to do their commuting, and the cars themselves aren't that much more expensive than a typical car,” owner Aaron Choate said.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Electric cars Allison Toepperwein gets the scoop on what electric cars of the 21st century can do.

The Austin Area Electric Auto Association said refueling costs for a fully electric vehicle are one-fourth the cost of gas refueling.

"Since gas is so expensive right now, it's so important we have this technology and the batteries to just plug in our cars to a regular electric socket," Lisa Braithwaite of the city of Austin said.

Austin EV said an electric vehicle adds about $15 a month to the utility bill. A typical electric car can travel 50 to 100 miles and can go zero to 60 miles per hour in eight seconds.

"One of the myths about electric cars is the golf cart image. But GM and other manufacturers have shown they don't have to be slow and pokey," engineer Marc Kohler said.

	Photo courtesy Electric Cars of Austin. The 2004 Dynasty SPORT iT sells for $16,900.

The city of Austin is taking the lead role by starting the Green Choice Renewable Energy program. Now, San Francisco and Chicago have joined to push electric.

Electric cars do have their downsides. You won't be able to take a road trip with an EV.

"We have both the gasoline-powered car to do the long trips that we know we need to take and we also have the electric car for the shorter trips," Choate said.

Electric Cars of Austin sells low-speed vehicles (LSV) that can travel up to 75 miles when fully charged, but can only be driven on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Their models, such as the Barton and the Dynasty, cost between $10,000 - $15,000.

	For more information
The U.S. Department of Energy has a comprehensive Web site on the several types of Alternative Fuel Vehicles, including makes and models of hybrids, electric cars and those that run on biodiesel, propane or natural gas.