Category Archives: Hybrid Technologies

Hybrid Technologies

Evolution of an Electric Supercar (LiV Rush)

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This is a cool old video on the Hybrid Technologies, L1X-75:

This car is now known as the LiV Rush and the Hybrid Technologies website says the beast accelerates from 0-60 in 5 to 6 seconds. Really pedestrian when you compare that to the 3.1 second claim in the video from over a year ago. What’s with the fluctuation? This car was really ahead of its time as a purchasable electric supercar. I’d blame its failure to really take off on its plasticky, kit car aura; as recent electric sport cars have more refined, individual looks. Compare and contrast:
Hybrid TechnologiesTesla Roadster

So that’s where Hybrid Technologies’ most recent evolution comes in. Popular Mechanics gives a pretty good overview of their latest concept electric car. Complete with unique exterior and hopefully a 150-180 mile range. With this still unnamed prototype, Hybrid hopes to compete with Tesla and Fisker for supremacy in the American electric supercar market by late 2009.

Hybrid Technologies

Hybrid Technologies seems to have everything

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Hybrid Technologies

Electric Supercar? Check.
Lithium-Ion technology? Check.
Highway Speed EVs? Check.
100+ mile range? Check.
Several models? Good 0-60 acceleration? Available now? Cool electric motorcycle? Everything looks good.

If all that wasn’t enough, the company is based in heartland USA: Mooresville, North Carolina. Hybrid Technologies is starting to generate some buzz as it made an appearance on the today show a couple weeks ago. And on the radio a month ago, talking about Senator McCain’s $300 million challenge to create an ev with a 300 mile range. Can’t let McCain forget about that. I could care less if he gets elected, he better put his money (government’s money) where his mouth is if someone accomplishes that goal.

Anyways, Hybrid Technologies offers highway capable Mini Cooper, Smart Car, Toyota Yaris, and PT Cruiser conversions that sport 0-60 times under 10 seconds, similar to the standard gasoline powered versions. The only real hookup I have with the company is that the prices are just out of realistic range for those of us who are not environmental fanatics, but want electric vehicles for economical reasons. Hopefully with time, investment, technological innovation, and larger scale operation, Hybrid Technologies will offer a fair alternative for the rest of us.

You can get this for under four grand though.