In 1967, when Oregon State University President Ed Ray purchased his first car, a Plymouth Valiant, he hoped his next vehicle would be powered by electricity. Although decades late, his dreams soon may come true.

Wednesday afternoon, in front of the Kelley Engineering Center, Ray sat in an EV-02 electric vehicle prototype from Renault-Nissan that can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, seats five people comfortably and will be priced competitively with other compact automobiles in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

Because the vehicle will produce zero carbon emissions, it will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, lowering the total cost even further.

And best of all, Nissan spokespersons said, it isn't something that's going to be on the drawing board for years. Plans are to have the vehicle available for sale in the Portland area by late 2010 and for mass marketing by 2012.

"It looks great, a little different, innovative" said Ray, who drives a hybrid gas/electric-powered car. "It's terrific. Many of the people who work here drive from Salem, Albany or Sweet Home. With a range of 100 miles, for most people it will get them where they want to go and back on a single charge."

Unlike Ray's current vehicle, the EV-02's motor is powered entirely by electricity from a lithium ion battery stack. There is no auxiliary gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. The electric motor produces the equivalent of 120 horsepower, according to spokesman Mark Perry. He said the car has plenty of torque and can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds, and its top end is well beyond the 55 mph highway speed limit.

"You can definitely get a ticket in it," Perry joked with a member of the crowd gathered near the Kelly Engineering Center.

The in-dash speedometer registers to 180 kilometers per hour n about 112 mph n and the only giveaway that the car is powered by electricity is a battery charge indicator gauge.

Perry said the 500-pound battery pack is mounted low in the vehicle for center-of-gravity balance. Depending on usage, the pack should be good for five to 10 years of service.

"But it is completely recyclable and we are talking with utility companies who could use them as energy storage for wind and solar systems," Perry said. Recharge time is about four hours using a 220-volt system. The goal is to develop charging stations at key areas from Portland to Medford, Perry said.

"It's the same circuit used by your home's electric dryer or hot tub," Perry said.

The vehicle is being shown throughout the Pacific Northwest, California and Arizona before heading to the East Coast. From there, it will go to Europe.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.