Overseas-based projects abound, but in the U.S. both major and not-so-major vehicle manufacturers are pursuing plug-in technology via an increasing array of not-quite-ready-to-roll concept cars. But a few are hitting the streets.
Among the more electrifying current endeavors is the Tesla Roadster, which began production in March. Carrying a price tag of $98,950, the sleek and sporty 248-horsepower two-seater can run for 249 miles on a single charge. It accelerates from 0 mph to 60 mph in less than four seconds, topping out at 125 mph and achieving a collection of automotive industry engineering honors in the process. A five-passenger Tesla sedan is set for a 2010 debut with a network of dealerships and service centers to follow.
"We are solely focused on ramping-up production of the Tesla Roadster over the next several months," says company spokesman Joe Powers.
Tesla Motors Chairman Elon Musk, a co-founder of PayPal, was named Inc. magazine's 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year. The 2008 manufacturing run at the San Carlos, Calif., Tesla plant is already sold out; more than 900 Roadsters are on a reservation list that includes such high-profile celebrities as George Clooney and Matt Damon.
Aptera Motors of Carlsbad, Calif., has presold some 1,300 of its two-seater plug-ins due to roll out later this year. Technically designated as a motorcycle, the three-wheeler (the single third wheel is in the rear) has a body comprised of high-strength composites. Interior accruements include cup holders – very important to many motorists – plus an infotainment system complete with a cell phone charging outlet.
Production of the luxury Fisker Karma is set for 2009. Among other California-based electric vehicle upstarts are AFS Trinity Power Corp. with its XH-150 plug-in SUV and ZAP, which has a strong international presence.
OEMs such as Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi continue to generate electric vehicle (EV) innovations designed to push demand into the American mainstream.U.S. fleet-testing of Mitsubishi's i MiEV is set to get under way this fall. A "kei-class" model has been selling in Japan since 2006, and the company has unveiled an i MiEV Sport concept vehicle with a fastback roofline designed to enhance its appeal to the American market.
"The exterior and interior designs offer a fresh take on the traditionally boxy mini-car class," says Tetsuro Aikawa, managing director for Mitsubishi product development.
Chevrolet's Volt draws from GM's previous experience in starting the modern electric vehicle market when it launched the EV1 in 1996, according to GM Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz.
"The EV1 was the benchmark in battery technology and was a tremendous achievement," he recounts. Even so, Lutz points out, electric vehicles in general had limitations. They had limited range, not much room for passengers or luggage and you couldn't drive up a steep hill or run the air conditioning without depleting the battery. And once you got to your destination, there was no available charging device to get you back home.
"The Chevrolet Volt is a new type of electric vehicle," says Lutz. "It addresses the range problem and has room for passengers and their stuff. You can climb a hill or turn on the air conditioning and not worry about it."
Bringing a robust-enough battery package to market has been a bane to EVs since 1907 when the Anderson Carriage Co. introduced its Detroit Electric runabout. Lohner-Porsche had produced an early hybrid in 1899. These early electrics were favored mostly by doctors and women with neither the time nor inclination for the repeated cranking and breakdowns associated with gasoline engines. (A person aggravated over a recalcitrant car came to be described as "cranky.") Men balked at buying a "women's car," and the limited range between re-charges eventually left EVs in the dust of internal combustion.
Range restrictions have remained a key roadblock to widespread acceptance, especially in the U.S. Battery weight, cost and concerns over ecologically sound disposal methods are other hindrances along with a paucity of public charging stations.
"On a positive note, the technology is improving on all of these issues," says Dominick Infante, national manager of product public relations for Subaru of America.
"The weight of today's batteries is much lighter than just a few years ago, and as the adoption of lithium ion continues by OEM manufacturers, the weight penalty will continue to diminish," he points out.
"The Subaru R1e (concept EV) features technology that allows for a 15-minute charge to 80 percent capacity using a special charging station. The infrastructure for these stations is quite small and quickly set up — and at a cost of about $30,000 they could easily be added to commercial sites. This allows for a quick charge at work or at a rest stop. The overnight charger is still set up for home use and is also standard," Infante says.
"On the environmental side, our new batteries are designed with recycling in mind. The batteries are built in layers, like meat in a sandwich, and the layers can be stripped and then recycled quickly. As more and more OEMs develop and adopt the new batteries, the costs will drop," he notes.
"As gas prices continue to rise, consumers will look for alternatives," Infante tells Aftermarket Business, observing how the proliferation of higher-performing smaller cars is "opening the eyes of U.S. consumers. As they make headway, the market will change."
Eventually, motorists will enthusiastically embrace the concept, according to Infante. "At the present time, electric vehicles are designed to be commuter cars, not necessarily cars designed for longer road trips," he says, yet "the reality is that the majority of Americans travel short distances for their commutes."
At a cost of just $3 per juice-up, the R1e's 50-mile range and quick-charging capability creates a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-based propulsion, Infante asserts.
"Certain cities, such as Los Angeles, already have charging stations in place," he explains. "As more electric vehicles go on sale, more stations will appear."
