Coming out of almost nowhere is BMW's promise to deliver 500 electrified Minis to drivers in New York, New Jersey and California. While the company has extensive research in liquefied hydrogen, BMW and other German carmakers have shied away from electric cars and hybrids.

This Mini promises a 150-mile range, zero to 62 m.p.h. in 8.5 seconds, and a two-and-a-half hour charge to max out its 35 kWh lithium-ion batteries. Caveats: there's no backseat, a nearly 700-pound weight penalty, you can't service it at a regular dealer, and it's only available on a one-year lease. The timing, however, couldn't be better.