Posted on April 23, 2009 by Mark Urbin
The Aptera looks like it just rolled off a SciFi movie. It’s three wheeled and streamlined to squeeze every last mile out its 13-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery. A hundred mile range is what they are guaranteeing, and that is with two adults and the AC running. Even though it has front wheel drive, I wouldn’t want to drive this compact trike in any sort of snow or ice. I’m probably not the first person to think this, because the initial roll out will in California, followed by Florida and Texas. The list on this will probably run no less than $30-35K and probably be over $40K.
If it starts flirting with $45K, it will be close to the low end prices of the Tesla Type S, which is an electric luxury sedan. The Aptera is a compact with a big trunk.
Filed under: alternate fuel cars | Tagged: alternate fuel cars, Aptera, automobile, Car, electric car | 4 Comments »
Posted on August 28, 2008 by Mark Urbin
The MIT Technology Review has a look under the hood of the electric Tesla Roadster.
Some the interesting things found there include the alternating-current induction motor and the lithium-ion battery cells.
The motor is of the type advocated in the late 19th century by Nikola Tesla, and has several mechanical advantages over a DC motor. The lithium-ion battery cells give more power for the volume than nickel-metal hydride batteries. The nickel-metal hydrides are what are typically used in gas-electric hybrids, such as the Pious.
Unlike the gas-electric hybrids, the Tesla roadster can go from 0-60 mph in 4 seconds, without putting a dime the pocket of Middle Eastern oil tyrants or Central American Socialists.
Filed under: alternate fuel cars | Tagged: automobile, Car, electric car, sports car, Tesla, Tesla Roadster | 4 Comments »
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