Sep. 27--While it could take years for everyday consumers to shell out their money for a new electric vehicle -- that will most certainly come with an initial price premium -- businesses like AT&T, Frito-Lay, Staples, utilities and others are lining up for new models.

For consumers, electric vehicles compete against fuel-efficient alternatives that cost less.

For example, the compact Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle, is expected to cost $32,000 to $38,000 after a tax credit of $7,500.

"We are still not very bullish on electric vehicles unless the prices come down," said Mike Omotoso, an auto analyst at J.D. Power and Associates. "The 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid starts at $22,000 and gets 50 m.p.g. So it's kind of a tough sell for the Volt to be $10,000 more than the Prius."

For businesses, however, electric vehicles make more sense.

Companies accustomed to managing a fleet can save by switching to vehicles powered by electricity, which is relatively cheap. They are also likely to find recharging issues easier to manage than everyday drivers, who might have to install a special outlet in their garage. What's more, companies could get an image boost by going green and advertising it on their trucks.

"With our customers ... it's 'How soon can we get them?'" said Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles in Kansas City, which expects to begin production of a 180-vehicle fleet for business customers in October.

Businesses ready to save on electric fleets

When Bright Automotive was founded in 2008 with investors such as Duke Energy Corp. to develop electric vehicles, it decided to serve customers that manage fleets, such as businesses.

"Fleets have been under-served for a long period of time," said Lyle Shuey, vice president of marketing and sales for Anderson, Ind.-based Bright Automotive.

Now, that business model is looking smarter than ever.

On Thursday, Duke Energy Corp. and FPL Group Inc, said they would transition all their cars and trucks to plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles by 2020.

Duke and FPL Group's announcement represents a potential investment of $600 million for as many as 10,000 vehicles, and illustrates how corporations, municipalities and utilities are rapidly adopting plug-in and electric vehicles while consumers wait for affordable options to arrive.

Over the past several years, global automakers -- such as General Motors Co. and Nissan -- have announced plans to launch plug-in and electric vehicles for consumers.

What's more, President Barack Obama has said he would like to see 1 million plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2015.