Zippy Electric Car
by Celine Ruben-Salama, New York, NY 
on 05. 4.07
Who says the electric car is dead? If you are looking for a zippy little electric car that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds to a top speed of 120 mph your search might end here. The car generates no emissions and operates from a set of lead-acid batteries that can recharge using any service up to 50 amps, providing enough power for a range of 40-80 miles, up to four times the average commute in the U.S. Charge from any outlet using either 110 or 220 current.
This 2-seater is well suited for city life. No wider than most motorcycles at 39", it can fit in a 6' half-lane with more clearance than a semi-truck in a full 12' freeway lane, enabling you to negotiate traffic congestion where lane splitting is permitted. Its small size also eliminates the need for parallel parking as it can park perpendicular to a curb without the need for a full space.
According to Hammacher Schlemmer, the car’s retailer, it’s very safe too. More below the fold
With body panels made of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass, its side impact bars offer four times the protection found in typical SUVs. The cars unique stability is derived from its low center of gravity, created by 1,100 lbs. of batteries under the floor, giving it a rollover threshold equivalent to a 5-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating found in the lowest-slung sports cars.
If the $108,000 price tag doesn’t deter you, head over to the Hammacher Schlemmer website and order yours. Also check out the The Electric One-Person Car for $24,899.95. :: Hammacher Schlemmer :: Sprig
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I saw this before. Check out commutercars.com.
so for around 100k you can either have this or a tesla roadster. i think i'll take the tesla.
This is totally the Tango! What a novel way of selling it they've come up with. Now if only they could put some Altair Nano batteries under the floorboards, then you could further, accelerate faster, and possibly even charge your car in a couple minutes; and what's another 50K on the price tag, it's in Hammacher Schlemmer.
This looks a lot like the Tango. Similar specs, too, including price. http://www.commutercars.com/
Commuter Cars is promising a version of the Tango for less than $20K in a couple of years.
It's not exactly great for city dwellers. I can't be guaranteed a parking space near my house, let alone within reach of an outlet. And I'm pretty sure my city would mind me stringing extension cords across the sidewalk.
It's really only good for people who have garages or who commute into cities. City dwellers need something they can refill at gas stations.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd rather spend less and get a Tesla. This thing looks like monkeys and clowns should be pouring out of it every time it parks.
This looks a lot like the Tango.
It is the Tango.
Commuter Cars is promising a version of the Tango for less than $20K in a couple of years.
And the check's in the mail.
They've sold exactly one of the $108K versions - to George Clooney. It'd be interesting to see how they plan to get one that's 1/5 the cost to market in two years.
Looks like the company's owner wants $50 million to get there.
http://commutercars.com/news/pressReleases/060427PressRelease.pdf
Good luck, pal.
Too bad the $108,000 price tag was after the jump, I could of saved myself all that excitement and letdown.
The price of the Zippy, or other's like it, are all in the 60k$ and more price range, and tiny two seat cars.
The Zenn is half the price, but it only goes 25MPH !!!
This is why I bought a Toyota Prius, more or less same price as a Zenn.
Then in 4 or 5 years, I'll spend another 30k$ to make it EV-30. That's today's price, should be less then.
So for the 60k$ total, today, you can get a brand new Prius, converted to EV-30, a gas engine for the real long trips or highway speeds, seats five adults and large cargo space.
So, is the Prius underpriced ???
they day this thing is safe? It looks like it could roll over very easily. Especially going 70MPH on a freeway. I would be scared! And the price, wooofta.
Looks very ugly... and the price tag is insane..
Why don't people just buy a G-Wiz?
Ross,
I've seen footage of the Tango smoking a normal sportscar in a tight-cornered circuit. It has stability control, and the center of gravity is very low. But, it does look a little odd.
Wait, wait, wait a minute.
Okay, so I'd be spending 100 thousand dollars on a car to save money on gas?
Oh wait, I'd be spending 100 thousand dollars to save the environment...by spending 100 thousand dollars on a car.
Where do I send my deposit?
Makes perfect sense.
Signed,
The MAdd Hatter