WATCH: DC electric car display aims for wide appeal

Through twists, turns, hard braking and accelerating, automakers and advocates are trying to show that electric vehicles can appeal to a wider audience than just the environmentally minded.

Reporters got some especially spirited rides at an indoor track at the Washington Auto Show Thursday.

The vehicles showing off their tire-squealing chops included the Nissan Leaf, Audi e-tron and Hyundai Kona Electric.

“It does perform well,” said Nissan’s Yvonne Porter of the unassuming Leaf. “It’s not a granny car.”

Hyundai Kona Electric (WTOP/John Aaron)
The Hyundai Kona Electric has an estimated range of 258 miles. (WTOP/John Aaron)
Nissan Leaf (WTOP/John Aaron)
Nissan touts the Leaf as the world’s best-selling electric car, with over 400,000 sold worldwide. (WTOP/John Aaron)
Nissan Leaf (WTOP/John Aaron)
The Leaf goes from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, according to Nissan’s Yvonne Porter. (WTOP/John Aaron)
Audi e-tron (WTOP/John Aaron)
The Audi e-tron starts at about $75,000. (WTOP/John Aaron)
The e-tron accelerates to 30 miles per hour in about 2 seconds, says Audi’s Kevin Mangal. (WTOP/John Aaron)
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Hyundai Kona Electric (WTOP/John Aaron)
Nissan Leaf (WTOP/John Aaron)
Nissan Leaf (WTOP/John Aaron)
Audi e-tron (WTOP/John Aaron)

Neil Dunlop with Kia described the performance of electric cars in general as amazing.

“It’s immediate power and tons of it,” he said. “Because of that battery and that low center of gravity the ride is extraordinary.”

John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.

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