Not all green cars are created equal, however several models do have one important aspect in common: their release year. As the competition to become the leader in a growing industry intensifies, several manufacturers have decided to introduce eco-friendly vehicles in 2010. This is a race in which nobody wants to be left behind, so auto makers are doing their darndest to make their new offerings as appealing to the masses as possible. Among the vehicles set to debut that year are:

Chevrolet Volt - The Volt has been generating a respectable amount of buzz for awhile now and will attempt to give the Prius a run for its money in the plug-in hybrid market. The car will be able to travel for 40 miles before the gas engine kicks in, though its price tag is expected to be higher than originally thought.

Mercedes - Pick a model. The makers of Mercedes vehicles are clearly feeling ambitious, as they have announced their intent to eliminate petroleum-run cars from their lineup by 2015. Electric cars, hydrogen vehicles and biofuels are all expected to be developed and yes, the company also has plans to release an electric car in - you guessed it - 2010.

Nissan - Charles Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, has said Nissan will also introduce an electric vehicle to the U.S. and Japan in 2010, to which he added that the company hopes to begin "mass marketing zero-emission vehicles."

BYD - The Chinese battery maker wants to expand into hybrid cars and electric cars, first in Europe and then to the U.S., most likely with their plug-in hybrid, the F6DM, which has the ability to run for 62 miles before a small gasoline engine kicks in. The company is also expected to introduce the smaller version of their car, the F3DM, as well as the E6 electric car, similar to the F6DM but 100 per cent electric. BYD expects the car battery will have a lifetime range of 600,000 kilometers.

» The Huffington Post

The chairman of General Motors has offered his two cents on the future of petrol car. In his opinion, announced at the opening of the Detroit motor show, Rick Wagoner said he believes global oil supply has peaked and that ethanol was the likely short-term solution until electric cars are designed to keep pace with the driving range of petrol vehicles.

"There is no doubt demand for oil is outpacing supply at a rapid pace, and has been for some time now," Wagoner said. "As a business necessity and an obligation to society we need to develop alternative sources of propulsion. So, are electrically driven vehicles the answer for the mid- and long-term? Yes, for sure. But … we need something else to significantly reduce our reliance on petroleum in the interim."

GM has an electric car - the Volt - in the works, but problems in the development of battery technology mean the car, due in 2010, will likely be delayed. In the meantime, GM has entered an agreement with an ethanol supplier that is claiming it can produce ethanol out of farm and municipal waste, old tires and plastic waste.

» Sydney Morning Herald