Say what you will about the grand pronouncements and publicized lab projects surrounding the electric car. No one has produced one. At least, there's no model than can truly replace the gasoline-powered four-passenger vehicles sitting in the garages of most American homes. There are plenty of glorified golf carts that could prove popular in some European and Asian cities. And dozens of companies will reengineer your Mini or Prius as a plug-in electric car--at enormous expense and compromised range and performance. The most alluring product on the verge of production reality is the Tesla Roadster, especially since its range has been bumped back up to around 245 miles on a charge. But when assembly begins late this year, the company will only produce about 600 cars a year at a price of $100,000 a pop. Granted, Tesla has announced its intentions of building a sedan in the price range of $50,000 to $70,000, but again, today this is just vapor. Almost everyone can agree that EVs are awaiting stable lithium-ion batteries that provide a range of 200 miles or more on a charge and keep the vehicle's price at a rough equivalent with gas and diesel vehicles. Most industry analysts agree that this is the minimum required to get large numbers of American consumers to adopt the technology. "The New York Times" looked at the leading companies in the race for an EV to find out which are close to producing truly adoptable cars, and which are producing their own greenhouse gasses in the way of hype.
Find out after the jump.
ZAP-X
__
__
No company has generated more skepticism than Zap (which stands for Zero Air Pollution). The Zap-X would claim a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 350 miles. The five-passenger largely aluminum crossover would use electric hub motors at all four wheels, delivering 644 horsepower from a lithium-ion battery pack. The hub motors would eliminate the need for transmission, axles and conventional brakes. All of this is a mighty impressive claim, and practically no one believes any car company can deliver this capability before 2018.
Chevrolet Volt
The Volt is actually a hybrid since a small gasoline engine is used to recharge the car's lithium-ion batteries, which turn the wheels. It's an advanced hybrid, however, and General Motors wouldn't commit to production unless it were quite serious about the technology. The price at which the car enters the market will spell out its fortunes. Also, will consumers buy into the uncertanties of EVs if they're still forced to fuss with gas stations, tune ups and other hassles of internal combustion engines?
Think City
The Norwegian company has passed through several hands, including Ford's, with little to show. It currently plans a second-generation two-seater city car--Think City--for Europe in 2008, with vague plans to bring it to the United States in 2009. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the car's range is only 110 miles and its top speed is 62 mph. Don't bet on spectacular sales in the U.S.
Phoenix S.U.T.
Based on the Korean pickup truck, the Ssangyong Actyon, the Phoenix purportedly uses nanotechnology in its lithium-ion batteries. Unimaginably small lithium-titanate particles allow for faster recharging, safer operation and longer life. Using a special high-voltage charger, Phoenix claims the truck could store enough juice in 10 minutes to cover 100 miles. (A full charge would take six or seven hours from household current.) Believe it when you see it.
Electrum Spyder
This convertible E.V. from Universal Electric Vehicle, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., claims its Spyder (estimated price: $69,900) could reach 100 m.p.h. and travel up to 150 miles on a charge of its nickel-zinc batteries. A $25,000 upgrade would add lithium-ion batteries, increasing the range to 250 miles. Universal Electric is taking orders for the car, with deliveries beginning 10 months after an unspecified start of production. Oh, and the company is also seeking corporate financing. Are you ready to write them a check?
.png){kind=logo}
