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5 Electric Cars Already Making History, Not Hype
You hear about them
every year: gee-whiz, plug-in, battery-powered vehicles poised to
change the world. Granted, they’re tiny, or expensive, or both. And if
they ever make it to the United States, they’ll be downgraded from
electric vehicles (EVs) to neighborhood electric vehicles
(NEVs)—glorified golf carts with a top speed of 25 mph. But overseas,
where getting gouged at the pump is a fact of life, EVs are a growth
market. And with UPS recently announcing an initial purchase of
electric delivery cars, the tide appears to be turning—just in time for
Congressionally mandated boosts in fuel economy. Forget tomorrow’s Tesla Roadster and 2010’s GM Volt. For these cars, the future is now.
ZAP Xebra
Although this three-wheeler is already for sale in the United States through about 40 dealerships, sales of the ZAP-built Xebra aren’t about to change the world. But this month’s deal with UPS just might—the company has bought 42 Xebras for its Petaluma, Calif., branch and plans to use them as local delivery vehicles.
After running the numbers, UPS realized that despite their limited cargo capacity, the zero-emissions, energy-efficient Xebras are more cost-effective than the company’s standard delivery vans for getting packages from a regional center to the customer’s door. “It’s good for the environment,” says ZAP CEO Gary Starr, “but it’s good for the bottom line, too. A lot of companies are talking about trying to do the right thing. UPS is doing it.” Starr believes that every company with a large transport fleet could swap out 10 to 20 percent of those vehicles with electric models. Could the Xebra be the tipping point for electric vehicles in the United States? Wal-Mart has done its eco-friendly part, but only time—and legions of corporate bean-counters—will tell.
Cost: $10,000 to $11,000
Top Speed: 45 mph
Range: Up to 40 miles
Availability: United States (and recently approved for sale in the United Kingdom)
Although this three-wheeler is already for sale in the United States through about 40 dealerships, sales of the ZAP-built Xebra aren’t about to change the world. But this month’s deal with UPS just might—the company has bought 42 Xebras for its Petaluma, Calif., branch and plans to use them as local delivery vehicles.
After running the numbers, UPS realized that despite their limited cargo capacity, the zero-emissions, energy-efficient Xebras are more cost-effective than the company’s standard delivery vans for getting packages from a regional center to the customer’s door. “It’s good for the environment,” says ZAP CEO Gary Starr, “but it’s good for the bottom line, too. A lot of companies are talking about trying to do the right thing. UPS is doing it.” Starr believes that every company with a large transport fleet could swap out 10 to 20 percent of those vehicles with electric models. Could the Xebra be the tipping point for electric vehicles in the United States? Wal-Mart has done its eco-friendly part, but only time—and legions of corporate bean-counters—will tell.
Cost: $10,000 to $11,000
Top Speed: 45 mph
Range: Up to 40 miles
Availability: United States (and recently approved for sale in the United Kingdom)
Reva G-Wiz
This is the top-selling electric car in the world, with more than 750 sold in London alone. And the British government is making a serious effort to get plug-in vehicles on the road, particularly in London, where EV drivers can park for free in some areas, avoid paying the daily $16 “congestion charge” for driving, and recharge at one of nearly 60 public stations (another 200 are planned for next year).
Sales are still slow by automotive standards—approaching 300 for 2007—but London has become the most competitive market for EVs. On the downside, the batteries need replacing every three years, and there’s no a/c in any of the G-Wiz models, including the new G-Wiz i arriving in February (pictured above). But in damp, drizzly London, perhaps that’s not such a loss.
Cost: Starts at $14,400
Top Speed: 40 mph
Range: 48 miles
Availability: Europe, India, Sri Lanka
This is the top-selling electric car in the world, with more than 750 sold in London alone. And the British government is making a serious effort to get plug-in vehicles on the road, particularly in London, where EV drivers can park for free in some areas, avoid paying the daily $16 “congestion charge” for driving, and recharge at one of nearly 60 public stations (another 200 are planned for next year).
Sales are still slow by automotive standards—approaching 300 for 2007—but London has become the most competitive market for EVs. On the downside, the batteries need replacing every three years, and there’s no a/c in any of the G-Wiz models, including the new G-Wiz i arriving in February (pictured above). But in damp, drizzly London, perhaps that’s not such a loss.
Cost: Starts at $14,400
Top Speed: 40 mph
Range: 48 miles
Availability: Europe, India, Sri Lanka
Piaggio Porter Electric
One of the best-selling EVs in Europe, this electric version of Piaggio’s workhorse delivery van has been hiding in plain sight for years. It looks no different from its gas-burning predecessor—or any other cargo van, for that matter. There’s also nothing particularly high-tech about it, although its 85-mile range makes it one of the most useful cargo-hauling electrics.
When you look at the Porter Electric, you’re not looking at the glorious future of eco-friendly business—you’re ogling a four-wheeled, cost-cutting measure that’s been on the road for years.
Cost: Starts at $34,000
Top Speed: 35 mph
Range: 85 miles
One of the best-selling EVs in Europe, this electric version of Piaggio’s workhorse delivery van has been hiding in plain sight for years. It looks no different from its gas-burning predecessor—or any other cargo van, for that matter. There’s also nothing particularly high-tech about it, although its 85-mile range makes it one of the most useful cargo-hauling electrics.
When you look at the Porter Electric, you’re not looking at the glorious future of eco-friendly business—you’re ogling a four-wheeled, cost-cutting measure that’s been on the road for years.
Cost: Starts at $34,000
Top Speed: 35 mph
Range: 85 miles
Kewet Buddy
Another relatively unknown soldier in the EV wars, the latest version of the Buddy is a three-seater that also happens to be one of the cheapest cars in Norway. The company currently manufacturing it has started offering a lithium-ion version, bumping the top speed slightly, and providing 50 percent more range.
Unless you happen to live there, you might be wondering, who cares about a Norway-exclusive EV? The Buddy is about to go up against at least two new electric models, spurring the kind of competition that leads to faster cars and bigger batteries.
Cost: Starts at $18,500
Top Speed: 49 mph with lead-acid batteries; 55 mph with lithium-ion batteries
Range: Up to 62 miles with lead-acid; 93 miles with lithium-ion
Availability: Norway
Another relatively unknown soldier in the EV wars, the latest version of the Buddy is a three-seater that also happens to be one of the cheapest cars in Norway. The company currently manufacturing it has started offering a lithium-ion version, bumping the top speed slightly, and providing 50 percent more range.
Unless you happen to live there, you might be wondering, who cares about a Norway-exclusive EV? The Buddy is about to go up against at least two new electric models, spurring the kind of competition that leads to faster cars and bigger batteries.
Cost: Starts at $18,500
Top Speed: 49 mph with lead-acid batteries; 55 mph with lithium-ion batteries
Range: Up to 62 miles with lead-acid; 93 miles with lithium-ion
Availability: Norway
Future Vehicles Elettrica
The superstar of the EV world, Reva’s top-selling G-Wiz, finally has a worthy enemy. The two-seater Elletrica went on sale in London this fall, making it the United Kingdom’s first production EV that runs on lithium-ion batteries, and one of the least expensive li-ion models anywhere (a cheaper lead-acid version is also available).
It’s not much faster than lead-acid EVs, but the more expensive battery pack gives the Elletrica an endurance boost, with up to 22 miles more range than the G-Wiz. It provides the same government-mandated benefits as Reva’s car, such as free parking and waived fees in London, but with a range that could take it well outside city limits. Even if the Elletrica doesn’t come out on top, it’s the first of the next generation of longer-range, lithium-ion-powered electric cars that someone might actually buy.
Cost: $26,000
Top Speed: 45 mph
Range: 70 miles
Availability: United Kingdom
The superstar of the EV world, Reva’s top-selling G-Wiz, finally has a worthy enemy. The two-seater Elletrica went on sale in London this fall, making it the United Kingdom’s first production EV that runs on lithium-ion batteries, and one of the least expensive li-ion models anywhere (a cheaper lead-acid version is also available).
It’s not much faster than lead-acid EVs, but the more expensive battery pack gives the Elletrica an endurance boost, with up to 22 miles more range than the G-Wiz. It provides the same government-mandated benefits as Reva’s car, such as free parking and waived fees in London, but with a range that could take it well outside city limits. Even if the Elletrica doesn’t come out on top, it’s the first of the next generation of longer-range, lithium-ion-powered electric cars that someone might actually buy.
Cost: $26,000
Top Speed: 45 mph
Range: 70 miles
Availability: United Kingdom