Sexy electric: Frankfurt Motor Show's promise of a petrol-free future

Whether addressing issues of safety, congestion, efficiency, pollution or just changing consumer tastes, most of the major automobile manufacturers at this year's prestigious IAA motorshow in Frankfurt unveiled a concept powered by alternative energy.

Up until now, it has been the American upstart firm Tesla headed by the Tony Stark-like figure and billionaire iconoclast Elon Musk that has pioneered the concept of a totally electric high-performance vehicle. Toyota may have famously solved one-half the equation by bringing a gasoline-electric hybrid car to the mainstream, but it was Tesla that went a step further and made an all-electric car that was practical, powerful and attractive.

Spurred by this healthy competition -- a recipe that surely includes equal parts economics and prestige -- it was Porsche whose results in the all-electric category, that garnered the most attention at IAA.

Star of the show

Without a doubt, Porsche was the sensation of the show when it unveiled its Mission E concept car. With plenty of pre-event buzz circulating and plenty of anticipation, crowds of international media representatives gathered in the Porsche hall to await the first official viewing. Then, in the Stuttgart-based company's signature understated style, without drama but with plenty of bravura, Porsche CEO Mathias Muller addressed the standing room only audience and revealed a sports car that could very well change the direction of the electric car industry.

The Mission E is a 4-door, 4-seat, 4-wheel drive sports car boasting an incredible 600 horsepower. It's able to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), all with a range of 310 miles (500 km) on a full charge. Not only that, but 80% of its battery can be recharged within just 15 minutes. Incredible, yes, and also plausible given Porsche's track record. So while it's merely conceptual at this point, it's evident that Porsche has Tesla clearly in its sights and aims to win the crown.

I spoke to Porsche's Head of Style, Michael Mauer, who confirmed my suspicions. "We believe that competition is healthy and produces excellence," he said. Admitting that Tesla made an impressive impact in the industry, he confidently asserts that Porsche is now looking to lead the future.

Down at the Tesla hall, the Vice President of Global Communications, Ricardo Reyes, seemed genuinely pleased with Porsche's vision of the future. Speaking with the poise of a pioneer, he said, "Tesla has always been about trying to change the industry. Our mission has been to get the world off fossil fuels. We're not out to target any one car maker or category, our purpose has been to create an entirely new category. If Porsche or anyone else can help us achieve this, then that's a good thing."

Like Porsche, who already has quite a lineup of hybrid cars, including the Panamera sports sedan, the Cayenne SUV and 918 Spyder supercar, BMW also made its mark at IAA.

See photos of collections of the Electric cars here: