What Electric Cars Are Available Today in the U.S.?
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 07.25.06
There's a total of two electric cars available for sale in the U.S — the NmG from Myers Motors and the Xebra from Zap!. The NmG (No More Gas) Electric Vehicle is a part car, part motorcycle. It's highway-legal and can hit 70 mph and costs less than $25,000. The Zap! Xebra is a similar electric car, just introduced this summer. The price is under $10,000. Good for going around town with a 40-50 mile range, and quick enough at 40-50 mph.
Beyond those two cars, there are quite a few electric cars in the pipeline: the high-performance Tesla Roadster and the equally powerful Wrigtspeed X1. There are also a couple of commuter electric cars in the pipeline: the Tango and the Think car.
The Tango, is a novel EV offered by Spokane-based Commuter Cars Corp. The Tango seats two people -- one behind the other, like on a motorcycle -- and the super-slim, battery-driven vehicle that results is designed to slip in and out of traffic and parking spaces in ways conventional cars can't. Tango's most affordable model is priced at $18,700, but don't hold your breath: According to the company's Web site: "This car has not been designed yet as it will require a team of engineers, tens of millions of dollars, and at least 18 months to meet all of the safety requirements."
And then there's the Th!nk. This nifty little EV, developed by a Norwegian design team, was sold as the CityBee in Europe and the Citi in the U.S., before being purchased by Ford in 1999. Ford leased just over 1,000 of them throughout Europe and the U.S., comprising the world's largest EV fleet. But in 2004, much to the chagrin of environmentalists and others, Ford sold Th!nk to a European firm, which went bankrupt early this year. The company's remnants were purchased in March by a group of Norwegian investors that is looking to introduce the vehicle back into the U.S. market.
Via: The Huffington Post
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Well, this shows that we really needed Tesla Motors. I can't wait to see what their sedan will be like.
I can't wait for more electric cars to come on the market! The demand for them will, of course, ultimately result in a lower price so that the average car buyer can afford one. These vehicles will be critical to reducing pollutants.
not to forget the
http://www.zapworld.com//cars/obvio828E.asp
Electric Propulsion
Drive System: 120 kW, 220 Nm, 13,000 rpm Regenerative braking
Battery: Li Ion, 39 kWh, 580 lb
Charger: Onboard,plug in anywhere, up to 20 kW
Vehicle to grid (V2G): Bi-directional grid interface
Vehicle Performance
Range: 200 - 240 miles
Acceleration: 0 to 60 Top Speed: 120 mph
Charge Rate: 30 minutes for 20 - 50 miles
Full Charge: 2 hrs (fast), 5 hrs (normal)
Estimated Retail Price: $49k
Delivery Date: TBA
Isn't Smart planning to come out with an EV version?
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editor note: Yes (last paragraph).
Of course, if you count "neighborhood" electric vehicles, there are other options, like the GEM -- http://www.gemcar.com/index.asp
It should be mentioned, that electric cars have been available for years. There are people all over the country who will convert a conventional car to electric for you. There are currently thousands of electric cars on the road because of this.
Some companies even offer complete kits for converting specific models of cars and trucks.
Conversions of small cars and trucks cost much less than buying a new one, and many perform better. There are also far fewer registration, licensing and insurance problems (I know a woman who had to go to Lloyds of London to insure her new electric car).
Plus, most of your car would be made of post-consumer recycled content ;)
Carl's right. Check out:
http://tinyurl.com/opd2p
there are other nev's also. I like this one:
http://www.itiselectric.com/
If you're interested, there's a great movie about the history of electric cars out right now:
Who Killed the Electric Car:
www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com
The ZENN IS in production and arriving in the States in August. It's a NEV/LSV, but unlike the GEM, it is a real car. US price range $10-15k
Confused why an article discussing EVs you can buy today discusses the poor Think or the non-engineered
What's new with the tango? I haven't heard anything after they delivered the car to George. Are they building more? Can you guys do another article on it?
It seems to me that three wheelers really shouldn't be discussed in the category of "cars". They have an entirely different stability dynamic.
While the Tango production model isn't designed yet, that *only* refers to the assembly line products that are at consumer prices.
They T600 *IS* available NOW, just that they are being individully built at a price of $108,000. They stack it with all the premium racing parts though. 1000 ft-lb of torque, 0-60 in 4 sec, more roll resistant than most roadsters, racing grade roll cage. Clooney got #1, but others have shipped and are in the works. While technically it is classified as a kit, assembly is mainly a formality that allows it to be exempt from various DOT requirements that they can't afford to undergo as of yet.
While pricey, that may not be so much more than the MSRP of the Tesla Roadster.
By the way, though the Tango is narrow, it is not small. It sits up like a tall car with fantastic visibility (yes I sat in Clooney's car.) The Tesla by contrast makes a Miata almost look bulky.
What about the Reva from INDIA
Its already available in the UK
Look at amount of goverment suppport for this car in the UK
# exempt from road tax
# exempt from (C) charge
# free parking in London
# free charging in London
# lowest insurance group
I am not sure why it is still not available in the US
Links to the REVA
http://www.goingreen.co.uk/
http://www.revaindia.com/index.htm
Looking at the Reva websites I would say that it could be that it won't meet US safety regs. Plus all the models shown were right hand drive. They might have to redesign the charger because we use a different voltage and frequency of electic service in North America.
I think they should change the US safety regs to allow for city cars that don't go on high speed highways.
Now here's the big question, will someone build a cool looking "turnkey" electric car. Every car pictured to in this story to me looked goofy.
Actually, CommuterCars is based in Spokane not Seattle.
Check out the list of electric vehicles at PESWiki. I've not asked each one about present availability, but it seems you may have missed a few.
http://www.peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Electric_Vehicles
Other than the Tesla, how many of these are not fugly?
Electric cars tend to look like they were designed by people who hate cars.
As someone who likes cars I can say that automotive history is littered with vehicles that "looked to radical or different". They might have sported the latest tech, been safer, more powerful etc. but they still failed to gell with the masses. Those in the anti-car, alt-car, not Detroit etc. camps try to go too different and most people won't buy. Many of those that will already have a Prius and might not be ready to buy another car.
Here's one big thing when it comes to North American car buyers non-car people might not know: Hatch back cars are considered downmarket and cheap however practical they may be. Plus you might have noticed from the number of modified (riced as it's known) imports that even if a car is not fast or sporty the owner would like it to look as if it is. Except for the Tesla (which I would buy if not to much $$$ and a decent range) look wimpy. The car on the lower right with a few changes could look cool but it looks like it has a stupid happy face.
I like the idea of the ZENN car, however the 25mph capp just does not cut it for my community, because the main road in town has a speed limit of 35mph. I have tried going 25 and it just does not work. The G-wiz in the UK seems perfect, except for the fact that it can not be bought here in the USA. Will keep positive thoughts that a 4 person EV, that exceeds 35 mph, will be produced here in the states, soon. The Toyota RAV4EV would be perfect. Too bad they stopped production.
Does anyone know of an EV van or UV suitable for a family of 7?
I'll take tips on conversion specialists who work with larger vehicles if you have any as well.
Thanks!
I think this is great. However, did anyone notice the pricetags on these vehicles??? they are freaking expensive!!!
If you hate the ugly cars, then they are winning. I will convert your gasoline car to electric for you. For about $6000 you can buy conversion kits for any basic sedan or small pick-up you may have. You pay me $1000 for the conversion. 919-259-2734. Your car will then travel up to 50 miles per charge for 2 cents a mile. Charge it at home and /or at work. Drive 70 mph. Fight the War on Oil. When gas reaches $6 per gallon in the next few years you will have nothing to worry about. paulcvanness@yahoo.com.
A new set of batteries every few years will cost about $1500. you will pay about 10 or 20 times that every few years in fuel. Gas will be $6 per gallon soon. you can also buy used electric cars at evtrading post online. EV= electric vehicle. solar panels work as well.
I am interested in having an EV built for me and I was wondering if it might increase the range if I had the axles customized so that each wheel sported an altenator that used the "free spin" motion of each wheel to generate power as the car moves?
I believe that the captured energy could then be boosted using a on board step up transformer and then channeled into the motor reducing, or eliminating the need for the battery to supply current except during start up, or to move the car from a standstill.
The process could even recharge the battery in route.
What do you think?
This article is now 1 1/2 years old, and it's not clear whether a real EV is available to buy or not. Does ZAP make and sell cars? Or is it s venture capital scheme that never got much beyond the drawing board? Tesla's cars have been in development for an eternity, may remain the eternal "car of the future," and would probably be too pricey or sporty (aka cramped and no trunk). Why can't Honda simply take the frame of its smallest Civic, rip out the usual power train, and insert an electric motor and lithium battery? There is too much obessession with developing a 300 mile range battery. Heck, just sell a car with two 100 mile batteries. One to keep and charge at home, and the other to keep and charge at work. Just swap them like a suitcase upon reaching destination. Or just plug in the car to an AC outlet at work to recharge during the 8 hour day.
I can't believe there aren't more Electric cars available! After the XV-1 was crushed did the idea of alternative energy dry up and die?
Now is the time that Americans are screaming for something new that will provide the answer.
Where is that XV-1 Technology? Obviously it worked and did so well!
Chevy say's their electric car will be out in 2010 so I guess that means Honda or Toyoata will have something in 2009? I sure hope so beacause the GAMES and Political Agenda are killing us!
WE need something today!! 2Hrs / 70MPH
They T600 *IS* available NOW, just that they are being individully built at a price of $108,000
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The problem with this is "We don't have as much money as Jay Leno!!
Anyone that can afford to spend $100K, or even $40K on an electric car, can easily afford today's gas prices.
The price of electric cars has got to be affordable for the majority of people and not just for the very wealthy, or electric cars will never have any real impact on oil consumption.
All of the 9-11 hijackers were funded from Arab oil money, yet we continue to depend on oil. No doubt Iranian oil money is paying for the bombs and bullets in Iraq that is killing our soldiers, yet we continue to depend on oil.
We seriously need electric cars to break our dependence on oil, but we need affordable electric cars ... not $100K techie toys for the rich.
Electric cars don't need oil or ethanol.
The idea of using corn to make ethanol is driving up the cost of food worldwide. The idea of using food to drive our cars is tragic. Instead of helping to feed people around the world, we are using food (corn) to drive further for less. I would sure hate to explain that logic to a loving God.
Model like the T600 will not help our society to switch because the price is far too expensive for middle class! We need something that can reach the power (speed) of actual cars and can afford family and couple (such as one model for 2-3 peoples and one model for 4-5 peoples). The big step will be the replacement of the SUV by an electric model. But everything today refer to an urban model that do not reach more than the minimum required for highway! A lot of people in our society today are moving to subburban to accommodate the new era of living around the city. This phenomenon need to be consider by the EV as well as people will required to reach highway to go back to city for work purposes. For my case, Montreal is surrounded by bridges because it is an island and every bridges are consider as highway and the minimum is 60 km/h. The actual version of EV will not be legal and this is a real problem. Another aspects to consider will be the weather. A log of EV are developed and warm area (such as California) but while we have electric engine for Mars or Noth Pole, we seems to have a lack for winter in North America. The THINK car get all my attention at this moment as it is manage by people who have a winter that can be similar to the one in Quebec.
We are late in the schedule of humanity to get another solution than GAZ!
so far, the Zap-X and the Roadster are the only cars i would even consider buying, although there's no way i could afford them. i agree with all the above comments about how ridiculous some of these cars are. nobody wants to drive something that looks like a plastic replica they bought for their 3 yr old.
if these companies ever want to sell something in america, take a long hard look at a lineup of cars from a company like Dodge. and if you want to sell cars in the southern states, you should really be planning a line of trucks. i really really want an electric car, but so far the models have been sad and hopeless.
In 2001 I saw an electric car being displayed in a local Phoenix mall. It was a funny looking car. It was bright canary yellow. It was a one passenger vehicle. It was called:"The Sparrow". A few years roll by, and I attempt to look this type of car in the internet. Much to my dismay, the Sparrow's website had disappeared. Jump ahead a year or so and I look it up again, and Meyers Motors has purchased the rights to the Sparrow, renaming it "NMG". For some unknown reason, I have always liked this car. Unfortunately, the power for this car is derived from lead acid batteries. I hope Meyers Motors changes this, and convert to a more efficient type of battery. I hope they go beyond the lead acid or the gel acid battery. There are new battery technologies, my only hope is that they get wise and decide to pursue a better battery. I like the idea that this odd shaped car (looks to me like shoe) can do 70+ miles an hour on the highway. I saw one once in a Phoenix freeway, and it passed me, like I was standing still. I think they need to work on the range. But it is pretty decent. If I had the money I would certainly but this car.
We Need to demand electric cars now. What we need is cars that don't need a "fill'er up" at all -- ever. Hybrids don't measure up, cause car companies act like it's a big favor to toss 30 MPG to us. I say we need Zero Fossil Fuel - we must be free from the shackles.
in my opinion, the idea of electric cars is great. however, the problem i see especially commuting to and from big cities is traffic, so far ev cars and batteries do not last but up to 2 hrs and coming from a big city you can get hung up in stop and go traffic ulimately running your battery down, and no way to charge back up. secondly the cars i have seen other than the one million dollar super limo in japan, 0-60 in 3 seconds and a battery lasting 4 hrs are not practical for 90% of the us population. we need family cars not 2 seater cars that only go 35 mph.
if they can make a sedan with a speed of 70 mph comfortably sitting 4 people and a battery thats lasts around 4 hrs as in a lot of industrial forklifts. and of course being affordable at 10-20k would be ideal . but this is just my opinion.
in 1983 I had my all electic home (2000 sq ft) in miami powered by solar power - it saved 60% on my electric bill and I had a big family - 7 of us (laundry, cooking, cooling, etc). The man who placed my photovolteic cells had newer cells on his 4500 sq ft home but government would not let him sell them - he was allowed to test them on his home only - his home was all electric and his electric bill per month was $3.00!?! this is not new technology it has been 25 years since then - we should have all homes on solar power and most automobiles on solar power or power them at home via solar - in Texas where sun shines 365 days per year oil lobby will not give us tax breaks on solar/pv cells - in New York where sun shines 120 days a year- they get 25% tax break on solar/pv cells.
Electric cars are great idea except for the lack of innovative battery technology that we are just now seeing in the form of NiMh and Lithium chemistry's. Imagine how far we could have advanced if ten years ago we offered 700 billion dollars for better batteries and better electricity generation. Our leaders chose the status quo and now we are stuck with the bill for 700 Billion dollars and the status quo. We need to break the choke hold of the oil infrastructure. I believe high oil prices aggravated our financial problems on main street and wall street. I will buy any electric car that is free of the oil infrastructure, looks conventional and performs equally.
I am interested in owning an electric car, but I need 4WD where I live. I would love to buy a Toyota RAV or Highlander or Honda CRV and have an electric conversion done. Is this possible?