The Facts: Electric cars, while not a new concept, are being produced on a large scale for the first time in recent memory. Currently, there are seven full-sized models of electric cars in production and many more in development.

Our Opinion: Electric cars promise to fill a need in the auto industry few other technologies can. The electric car may not be ready to dominate the auto market tomorrow, but it is a future we can all look toward.

The future envisioned by Gene Roddenberry , the creator of Star Trek, is here. While we may not yet be traveling to distant galaxies, we are widely adopting some of the technologies he envisioned in the 1960s . We have cell phones, are harnessing solar power on a large scale, are connected through a global information network and now we have electric cars.

There was a great buzz four to five years ago about the electric car. The common consensus was hybrids were going to be a stopgap measure until we started mass-producing electric cars; however, this was not the case.

Like every emerging technology, the promise is always given long before it can be flawlessly delivered. Dan Neil, Pulitzer prize winning automotive critic for The Wall Street Journal, in his talk Monday underscored that electric cars, to be adopted, had to overcome two hurdles: technology and public consciousness. Slowly but steadily electric cars are beginning to overcome both obstacles.

There are currently seven full-sized models of electric cars being produced around the world. The most notable in the U.S . are perhaps Nissan’s Leaf and the Chevy Volt. The Leaf and Volt are the first large scale attempts from major auto companies into electric cars. Combined, there have been more than 30,000 sold worldwide. And while the sales figures just barely fall short of sales targets, they do show there is a growing consumer base for electric cars.

We’re also beginning to see that electric and speed are not mutually exclusive terms. Until Tesla developed the concept of an electric car, it was implied to be underpowered. The stereotype was often cited as a reason for not adopting the new technology. However, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, as fast as a Porsche 911, there is no doubt an electric car can hold its own against its gas counterpart.

At the University, we are preparing for the growing use of electric cars. There is currently an electric car power station at our visitor center. It is open to anyone who wishes to use it. More importantly, it is symbolic of our University getting on the electric car bandwagon.

Electric cars and all similar “renewable” technologies have had their benefits regurgitated so often and for so long they’ve become trite; however, the benefits are quite real. Decreased emissions, decreased fuel consumption and increased fuel economy are all great needs in the current auto market. While the electric car may not abolish all the problems with the auto industry, it is a good start. But, in the end, it is just that: a start. So, let’s treat it as such, embrace it as it comes and don’t expect instant gratification because of the hype.