Project EVIE Blog

I was reading through a forum on electric cars the other day and came across a user-submitted comment something along the lines of:

“No way I’m getting in an EV. I’m not driving my family around in a tuna-can on wheels. Too many crazies on the road.”

Admittedly, some city-minded EVs do fit this description, such as the Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept:

Square wheels?

But then again, so do some gasoline cars.

The reason I’m writing today though, is to allay the fears of all hunters, off-roaders, soccer-moms, and truckers, by bringing to their attention that for each of them there’s an EV out there that can handle all their size (and size-compensating) needs.

First off, for all free-spirited, off-road adventurers that enjoy expressing their individual liberty by blazing down muddy dirt paths, there’s the upcoming Jeep Wrangler EV.

'Go Anywhere, Do Anything.'

Delivering 268 hp, and 400 Nm of torque, and doing 0-60 mph in 9 seconds, it’ll more than satisfy any lust for power. It uses the hybrid technology of the Chevy Volt, meaning it’ll run on its battery for the first 40 miles, then a small, gasoline-powered generator will kick in and start powering the electric motor. This also means you can go off driving trails in the middle of nowhere to your heart’s content, and as long as you bring some extra gas, you never need worry about finding a charging station.

Including a full battery charge, the 8-gallon tank of gas gives the Wrangler EV a range of 400 miles, equating to ~50 mpg. Running on gasoline alone, the Wrangler EV still gets ~45 mpg – far in excess of a standard Wrangler, which only gets combined ~17 mpg.

Next up, all hunters, contractors, or people that like looking like they haul around large loads on a regular basis, can find solace in the Phoenix SUT.

An all-electric Sports-Utility-Truck.

The all electric Phoenix SUT can carry a payload of up to 1,000 pounds (half a ton), and better yet, can do it emissions free. Not only that, its lithium-titrate battery, which is safer, stabler, and environmentally friendlier than typical lithium-ion batteries, gives it a range of up to 130 miles, and can be recharged in only 10 minutes from a 3-phase (480 V) outlet. This makes it extremely handy for contractors and other construction workers, who are often around industrial 3-phase power.

And for all soccer moms, what you’ve long been yearning for is finally here: the opportunity to drive around your kids in an SUV, and get that feel-good feeling from being eco-conscious. Meet the Phoenix SUV:

Looks like an SUV, feels like an SUV, only greener!

It has all the same specs as the SUT: lithium-titrate battery, 130 mile range, 10 minute quick charge.

There’s also the all-electric G2 from Global Green Cars, which promises a 100 miles range, a top speed of 90 mph, and an MSRP of just $26,950.

'The fuel-less car for the in-town soccer mom and dad.'

And if that’s not enough space for all the hockey equipment, Chrysler is coming out with a hybrid version of its Town & Country. It will run on the same drive-train as the Wrangler EV, giving it 40 miles of battery charge, 360 miles on an 8-gallon gasoline generator, and combined 50 mpg.

Lastly, for all truckers, who think it’s a sheer impossibility that any ‘tuna-can’ EV could ever muster enough gusto to meet their needs, there’s the line from Smith Electric Vehicles.

A UK company, Smith specializes in building all-electric vans and trucks for commercial purposes. Its 5 vehicle fleet goes from the Edison Panel Van, which offers a range of 100 miles, a top speed of 50 mph, and a payload of up to 2,700 lbs (1,220 kg):

Available in Medium-roof or High-roof.

To the Newton, which has a range of up to 130 miles, a top speed of 50 mph, and can carry a payload weighing up to 16,000 lbs (7,400 kg):

Tuna-can on wheels no more!

As the distance is often pre-determined with deliveries, electric-powered delivery vehicles actually make a lot of sense. And, as Smith points out, fuel costs are up to 75% less with their fleet than with diesel-powered equivalents.

Just goes to show, EVs can, and will, do everything your current gas-guzzler can do, but at a fraction of the running cost to you, and a fraction of the price on the environment.