10 Electric Car Companies You Don’t Know About
As consumer demand for electric cars continues to grow so has the number of electric car companies. Automopedia.org brings you ten up and coming electric car companies that you should keep your eye on. These companies are leading the way in developing electric vehicles for all types of uses. From affordable compact city vehicles to high performance sports cars, there is an electric car company out there building your dream green machine.
1. Tesla Motors
www.teslamotors.com
Based out of Silicon Valley, Tesla Motors was found by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in the summer of 2003. The private company’s first production vehicle is an all electric sports car called the Tesla Roadster. The vehicle can travel 221 miles on a single charge and the ability to go 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The company has plans to introduce a sedan in 2009 and an affordable model codenamed “Bluestar” by 2012.
2. Commuter Cars
www.commutercars.com
Commuter Cars is an electric car company out of Spokane, Washington founded by Rick & Bryan Woodbury. The company’s current production model is the the narrow 2 door, the Tango T600. The vehicle cost $108,000 and requires minimal assembly upon delivery. Actor George Clooney was the first to receive a T600in August 2004.
3. Global Electric Motorcars
www.gemcar.com
Global Electric Motors (GEM) was founded by ex GM employees in 1992 and purchased by Chrysler in 2000. The company currently offers 6 different models and has produced over 35000 vehicles. The vehicles are plug in battery electric and have an average range of 30 mph. GEM vehicles have been very popular fleet vehicles, on military bases, airports, golf courses, parks and senior communities.
4. AC Propulasion
www.acpropulsion.com
AC Propulsion was founded in San Dimas, CA in 1992 by Alan Cocconi. The company produces a top of the line sports car called the “AC Propulsion tzero” as well as electric vehicle drive systems. AC propulsion has also developed prototype vehicles including a Volkswagen that has been modified to run on electricity called the “Plug Bug.”
5. Venturi
www.venturi.fr
Venturi is a French automaker that was founded in the mid 80’s. The company started off producing high end sports cars under the names MVS, which in English stand for sport car manufacturer. In 2001 the manufacturer was bought by Gildo Pallanca who has since shfted the focus of the company to electric powered vehicles. The companies current models include the Eclectic and Astrolab. The low speed Eclectic is the first ever energy autonomous car, with solar panels, a wind charger and the ability to be plugged in. The Astrolab is a hybrid that runs on a plug in charge or solar energy.
6. Think
www.think.no
Think is an Aurskog, Norway electric car company founded in 1991. The company has had its ups and downs, with company ownership changing hands multiple times, but a revamped model of the Think City is currently in production. The vehicle will be available in the US by the second half of 2008 and features a 106 mile range and a top speed of 62mph.
7. ZENN
www.zenncars.com
ZENN Motor Company is a Canadian based company that manufactures neighborhood electric vehicles. The company was found by a professional photographer named Ian Clifford who started the business after finding it difficult to purchase an electric vehicle in Canada. In 2001 the company teamed up with French automaker Microcar, utilizing the company’s small diesel powered vehicles. ZENN is currently working with EEStor, a company that has developed a battery that gets 800 kilometers per charge.
8. Lightning Car Company
www.lightningcarcompany.com
The Lightening Car company develops high performance electric sports car at its Peterborough location. The company’s first production car, the Lightening GT, went on sale in 2008. The vehicle features all wheel drive, can get 250 miles per charge and has a top speed of 150mph. The compnay is currently taking deposits on the Lightening which will br delivered in 2009.
9. Nice
www.nicecarcompany.co.uk
The NICE Car Company was founded in 2005 in London. The young company has already began distributing the Mega City, an electric city car that was developed by Aixam-Mega. NICE is also a distributer for Vectrix, Mega Mult-itrucks and electric scooters by e-max and Oxygen.
10. REVA
www.revaindia.com
REVA is an India based manufacturer of an electric city car. The automaker has produced more electric cars than any other company and sales continue to increase. The REVA is a 3 door hatchback that can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. The vehicle’s top speed is 45mph and has a range of 50 miles. The vehicle may be imported to the U.S. Where it can be used as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. The compnay plans to offer models with increased range, speed and acceleration in 2008.
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