IEEE Tech Talk’s John Voelker’s report is titled EVS-08: A Surge of Energy for Electric Cars. It is a first comment on the palpable difference being experienced at this year’s Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS23), the electric drive industry trade show.

An astounding 450 people attended Sunday’s plug-in hybrid workshop. A member of congress, for the first time, spoke from the floor about promoting electric vehicles through federal legislation. Five major automakers have expensive displays. Voelker writes:

A year ago, the Chevrolet Volt was unknown……The demand for plug-in hybrids has exploded…..grumbled the City of Vancouver’s Brian Beck, “I’m ready to change the building code to require electric plugs throughout parking garages, but automakers tell me I can’t get their plug-in prototypes…

Still no plug-in hybrids or electric cars in showrooms, but things are looking up.