Gas prices may have leveled off, but the public remains invested in electric cars with smaller carbon footprints and less emissions. Think Global, the Norwegian automaker who debuted one of the first crash tested and highway approved electric cars (the Think City), has responded for the high demand for Earth- and wallet-friendly electric motors with the new Think City for U.S. market. Think City cars will be outfitted in the U.S. with lithium ion batteries manufactured by EnerDel and will be charged by stations built by AeroVironment. According to Think, the new batteries will be able to charge from zero capacity to 80 percent charge in just 15 minutes. When fully charged, the Think City all electric car will be able to drive approximately 112 miles before requiring another charge. The car will also be able to get speeds up to 70 miles per hour.  Think also said that the car will be produced to have the lowest-possible carbon footprint and will be made with recyclable plastic body panels and a fully recyclable interior.

The Think City car will be able to charge using a normal 110-volt outlet as well as a special 220-volt “fast-charging” outlet that can be installed in your home. Mazda, EnerDel and Think Global are partnering to launch a pilot project utilizing the fast-charging stations in 2010. When the technology will be rolled out in the U.S. is not yet known.

North Americans can expect to see the first American-made Think City cars on the road in 2011, however. Think chose to open its very first plant on U.S. soil in Elkhart, Indiana. The electric motor plant is expected to be churning out 20,000 cars a year by 2013 after an investment of $43 million and will employ over 400 workers.

There are already Think City cars on the road in Europe, and Think intends to sell imports in the U.S. later this year to build hype while the Indiana plant gears up production.

Think’s investment in Indiana was helped along thanks to tax incentives offered by the state of Indiana, an Energy Department loan guarantee to finance the plant and its convenient proximity to the border of Michigan, which is home to numerous automotive suppliers.

The car will first be sold in five markets, including the San Francisco area. There is no definitive word on how much the car will cost.