9/1/09 - Here Come the EVs - hartfordadvocate.com

[Matthijs]

http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=14398

In 2009, EVs are star players in a drama that is rapidly unfolding. Let's look at some of the highlights:

Fisker's Karma. This is an extremely sexy plug-in hybrid, to be built in Finland by a U.S.-based company led by industry veteran Henrik Fisker, a Dane. Priced around $80,000, but with a $7,500 federal tax incentive, the Karma is reputed to have 60 miles of all-electric range before its turbocharged two-liter engine kicks in. Zero to 60 arrives in 5.8 seconds, and the car tops off at 125 mph. Despite the high performance, it will cruise 300 miles before needing a fill up and return what Fisker says is the equivalent of 100 mpg.

Aptera Motors 2e. The Jetsons would have admired the lines of this airplane-like, extremely aerodynamic battery car (but their ride flew). The 2e is scheduled for launch late this year, CEO Paul Wilbur tells me. The Aptera (the name means "wingless") has a 120-mile range on a charge. For all its unusual styling, the Aptera is fairly normal inside and rides well.

Think City. The fortunes of Norwegian-based Think could fill a Dickens novel, but the company has just emerged from bankruptcy with $47 million in new financing and plans to build its battery-powered, plastic-bodied two-seat City in the U.S. A Department of Energy loan will certainly help that endeavor. Think's City should hit the U.S. retail market in 2012, but they'll be in test fleets before that.

Nissan Leaf. The Renault-Nissan Alliance is not only building sleek battery cars with 100-mile range for introduction next year, it is also creating charging networks all over the world for them to plug into. The Leaf will initially be offered in just a few U.S. markets that are also charging clients, but as EVs take hold those networks should be available everywhere — and the cars, too.

Chevy Volt. The long-anticipated Volt will be here late next year, too, and General Motors is saying it will increase production to meet rising interest. When GM said the Volt will get the equivalent of 230 mpg, it jumpstarted public attention for the car, which is a "range extender" sedan with a gas engine that's there to act as a generator for the electric motor. Electric motors have full torque at zero rpm, and this car was very willing on the track. Banish any thoughts you have about EVs being slow and pokey.