3 competitors that make the Chevy Volt sound like a bargain
By Matt Jansen
The Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius have received lots of press coverage and create buzz on a regular basis, but what other competitors are out there? These four companies compete in the same industry, but likely appeal to an entirely different segment of consumers: those with truckloads of cash.
First up is the Loremo LS plug-in version, which is tentatively planned for release in 2010 and allows for six to twelve miles in electric-only mode.
Here are some specifics from Loremo:
- Engine: Central Electric Motor
- Output: 20 kW, Li-Ion
- Top Speed: 170 km/h (106 mph)
- Acceleration: 0 to 63 mph < 15 s
- Gearbox: 2-gear manual
- Drive: Mid-engine / Rear drive
- Gas Mileage: (6 kWh / 63 m)
- Range: 95 m
- Weight: < 600 kg (1300 lb)
- Approximate Price: < 30,000 Euro
- Standard Equipment: Air bags, radio
- Optional Equipment: On-Board PC, A/C, MP3-player, navigation system
Differences from the Chevy Volt include a diesel engine, significantly less range on electric-only power but the price tag that may hover near the same. A quick search on the Google calculator yielded 27,000 Euros equal to $41,858.
Second on the list is cityZENN. This vehicle is an electric only vehicle and is definitely intended for city or urban driving. Its max speed is 25 mph and it has a range of 30-50 miles. The battery can regain 80% of its charge in 4 hours, but the cityZENN is definitely slated for a narrow segment of drivers and it sells in the US for about $16,000.
It seems ZENN is aware of that because they’re planning on producing a new version of the cityZENN closer to 2010 that will take advantage of a new solid state battery technology that would recharge in 5 minutes or less and have a range of about 400 km. Now that’s an exciting prospect.
Third on the list is the Tesla Roadster which is definitely targeted to the rich. It has a unique, sporty look and some impressive stats:
– 100% electric
- 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds
- 13,000 rpm redline
- 135 mpg equivalent
- 220 miles per charge
- less than 2 cents per mile
Tesla claims the Roadster will fully charge in about 3.5 hours.
So what’s the catch? It’s pricey. The base price is $109,000 and to even make a reservation you’ll need $5,000.
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June 18th, 2008
The CityZENN is a FUTURE product of ZENN and will be a highway capable vehicle. Their CURRENT product is simply called ZENN.
June 19th, 2008
Wow, well for 40k I will happily take a 2010 chevy volt and settle for the 640 miles on a full tank (http://www.chevy-volt.net)
June 19th, 2008
Saying the ‘Volt’ has competitors is like saying that Google’s Android is a competitor to the iPhone.
As far as buying a usable EV for real-world use goes…
Here’s a list of manufacturers:
Saab, Fiat, Citroen, BMW, Renault, Rover, Audi, Suzuki, Mercedes, Proton, Lotus, Subaru, Jaguar, Mazda, Rolls Royce, Morgan, Hyundai, Kia, Lamborghini, Skoda, VW, Seat, Bentley, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Porsche, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Volvo, GM
NOT ONE of these is currently selling a highway capable EV in the US.
Doesn’t that strike you as odd?
And doesn’t it also strike you as odd that the press are not asking why?