Electric cars are swiftly moving away from the puttering, snub-nosed, pet carriers that characterized the early models. Business Week reports that auto makers around the globe are racing to get a battery-powered hot rod into the market.

Tesla Motors of San Carlos, Calif., is in the production phase with its Roadster that clocks in at 130 miles-per-hour, while Great Britain is coming on strong with the 700 horsepower Lightening GT.

The article notes that while electronic automotive technology is advancing rapidly, the high-end cars won’t go for pocket change.

The Tesla-GT race alone won’t pump up the wavering automotive advertising sector, but it could fuel demand for leaner, meaner electronic ponies. That would be where the ads come in. --Deborah D. McAdams