Tag Archives: ev

ZENN

ZENN, EEStor, and LightEVs Love Triangle

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There seems to be a lot of confusion recently concerning who owns the rights to EEstor’s breakthrough (hopefully) battery technology. Let me simplify it to the best of my knowledge:

ZENN- as of April 2007 ZENN has exclusive rights to EEStor’s capacitors (EESU) for use in small 4-wheeled vehicles.

Lockheed Martin- as of January 9, 2008 Lockheed Martin has exclusive rights to integrate and market EESU units in military and homeland security applications.

LightEV- as of September 24, 2008, LightEV has exclusive rights to EESU units for two and three wheeled vehicles.

So basically, none of these overlap. ZENN still has exclusive rights to use EEstor’s game changing technology in their four wheeled vehicles. LightEV, who nobody has ever heard of, seems to have really pulled a fast one, and gained exclusive rights to make three and two wheeled vehicles with it. I mean, look at the LightEV site. A lot of three wheeled and two wheeled electric vehicle producing companies are probably kicking themselves right now. I’m looking at you, Aptera, Zap!, VentureOne.

In April 2008 ZENN Motor Company announced that a future highway speed electric vehicle using EEStor’s capacitors will achieve 80 mph (130 km/h) speeds, 250 mile (400 km) range and charge in 5 minutes. EEStor also claimed it would weigh 90% less than conventional batteries. That is how powerful this technology could potentially be. But ZENN stated later in May, “[The Batteries] are still under development and there can be no assurance that it will be successfully commercialized at all or on a timely basis.” This was in the latest press release on the ZENN homepage. Anyways, the hype surrounding the EEStor technology seems to be tapering off, with rumors that it might not be much of a breakthrough after all. Some say the government got hold of it when EEStor signed with Lockheed Martin, hiding it with Bigfoot and the Area 51 aliens. You never know.

[Edit] The official name of the company is LightEVs, not LightEV.

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Play by Play of 60 Minutes’ Electric Car Episode [VIDEO]

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Watch CBS Videos Online

:25- “The jury is still out on whether electric cars can ever really be practical”

The EV1 and Toyota Rav-4 EV showed us that electric cars could be completely viable alternatives over 10 years ago, using lead-acid batteries.

:58- “This (Tesla Roadster) is the first, all electric sports car…”

C’mon Lesley, you’re better than that. Forget the Venturi Fetish, Hybrid Technology’s LiV Rush, the Wrightspeed, and the Tzero; the Tesla Roadster was the first electric sports car. Why? Because an intern at CBS Googled it.

2:50-Enter Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of GMBob Lutz

Is it me or could this man talk me out of driving a Ferrari off the lot for 10 grand. He is a terrible spokesman. He just sounds like he would rather be playing with his helicopters, his countless sports cars, and his Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet in German Luftwaffe colors (image right).  It sounds like hes doing this because he doesn’t want to be embarrassed by Tesla, not because he believes in the product.

4:13- “GM is already touting the car even though don’t yet have a working prototype.”

Really, not even a working prototype? GM had EV1’s with 160 mile ranges before they canceled the program.  What happened?

4:25- “The real trick on the car, is software. The car needs to know where home plate is.” -Lutz

Oh, thats the holdup.  The hold up is developing a completely unnecessary amenity that will tell the car how close you are to home.  Use GPS, hook it up to the gasoline activation system, done deal.  Why are they even working on this? If the charge is low, the gasoline extender should just come on regardless of where you are, for safety’s sake.  This is like delaying a trip to Mars because they can’t decide what color to paint the ship.

5:55- “People say, I hope you enjoy the billions you got from the oil companies, you swine” -Lutz

Well, do you?

8:45- Ethanol and hydrogen all had problems, won’t that happen with the electric car?

Ray Lane- “It could.”

Come on man, your selling electric cars. You should have a practiced response to this.  New, cheap, clean, and renewable sources of electricity are being built every day.  Electric cars can run off electricity that is available everywhere.  The infrastructure is already here, as well as the technology; electric cars are the only vehicles that can someday have absolutely no carbon emissions. You cannot compare it to ethanol and hydrogen.  Those were fake solutions to begin with. Why? Because the oil companies want to sell ethanol and hydrogen.

10:20- Yeah, but they (silicon valley) have no experience in the car business…-Lutz

Grasping for straws…

Mitsubishi iMiev

On the Mitsubishi iMiev

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iMiev

The Mitsubishi iMiev is a highway capable, compact electric car that will get have a 75-100 mile ev range and a top speed of 80mph.  It is uncertain if the iMiev will reach the US, but it is expected to be released for commercial sale in Japan by 2009.  Test fleets are already on the road in Japan and will soon hit the streets of Iceland.  Nearly all of Icelands power comes from geothermal and hydro power; electric cars are the logical next step in being emission free and energy independant.

The iMiev is expected to be priced at around $37,000.  Should the car ever reach the US, I would expect it to be successful in urban areas and among the well endowed environmentally conscious.  The car shares very similar ev performance and price range as the GM EV1, a car that was leased in California over ten years ago. I don’t see why recent technological advances are not translating to higher ev ranges than 75 miles.

Here is an informational Popular Mechanics video:

Venturi Fetish

On the Venturi Fetish

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Venturi Fetish

The Venturi Fetish became the world’s first production electric sports car when it was unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. To this day, it remains the worlds most expensive and rare electric sports car, as only 25 were delivered worldwide. The price range has been around $400,000 to $500,000 over the years. Performance is relatively pedestrian when compared to the electric supercars in development and on the streets now. The Fetish accelerates from 0-60 in just under 5 seconds, with a top speed of only 100 mph and a 150 mile electric range. More information can be found at the Venturi Fetish website.

This is a cool video of the car in action:

The Monoco based Venturi company has since teamed up with French tire maker Michelin, and is going to introduce its next generation electric supercar extremely soon at this year’s Paris Auto show on October 2, 2008. Venturi has two other project cars that heavily utilize solar power, the Venturi Eclectic and the Venturi Astrolab. More can be read about them at the Venturi website here. More info on those vehicles will come soon.

Chrysler

Chrysler Reveals its Electric Cars!

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Looks like the good ol’ boys at Chrysler have been paying attention. With rising gas prices, economic downturn, and their own disappointing sales, Chrysler had been secretly developing electric cars since 2007 in the ENVI program. Each of these 3 highway capable EV’s has its own distinct characteristics and function.

Dodge EV
Dodge EV

The Dodge EV is an obvious reaction to the popularity and media buzz created by the Tesla Roadster. The car features the same Lotus styling, and a 150 to 200 mile EV range while boasting a 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Look for them to undercut the Tesla Roadster’s price, as Chrysler will be able to produce cheaper than any EV startup.

Chrysler EV
Chrysler Minivan EV

The Chrysler EV is a serial plug-in hybrid in that can go 40 miles on electric power before a gasoline generator kicks in to extend the range to 400 miles. When the small gasoline motor is on, the minivan gets 50 miles per gallon. An electric minivan is really ingenious because middle class families will be able to save money driving their ev on the long trips that really are starting to cost us an arm and a leg. This way they do not need an electric car for the day-to-day driving and a gasoline car for long trips. Having two cars to save money is sort of counterproductive and why many would be wary of buying an ev.

Jeep EV
Jeep EV

The Jeep EV will have the same electric/gasoline combination power setup as the Chrysler EV, but the Jeep will feature four electric motors at each wheel. Which could, in theory make the Jeep EV superior to the regular Jeeps in many ways. Each wheel being independently powered could open up some interesting opportunities in maneuverability during off-roading situations.  Jeep EVs will also not have regular axle setups that can hinder Jeeps off road.

Chrysler says around 100 test cars should be on the road next year.  There is really no reason why these cars shouldn’t be released within the next couple years, because they are not using any new technology that has not already been demonstrated by EV startups.  Regardless, anytime a big automaker like Chrysler recognizes electric car’s potential, it is good news for everyone… except the startups.

Lightning GT

Lightning GT promises 10-minute recharge

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Lightning GT

-Provided you have an industrial strength outlet. But the Lightning GT was unveiled at the London Motor Show this summer, and boy does it look mean. With four at-the-wheels electric motors, the vehicle puts out 640 bhp, propelling it from 0-60 in 4 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. The 30 Nanosafe batteries should provide a 180 mile range and weigh around 400kg. These batteries employ a new lithium-ion technology that replaces graphite with a titanite-based material to make them more thermally stable. The price could be comparable to the Tesla Roadster, but with exchange rates going the way they are, the GT will probably be around 200,000 USD. The car is still on schedule to be released in 2009. Here’s the Lightning GT’s London Motor show debut:

Well, I’m certainly looking forward to the UK’s answer to Tesla.