Wired for Speed - The Age of Electric Supercars

By Paul Stabin

Paul Stabin

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Wired for Speed - The Age of Electric Supercars
Sure, think golf cart if you can't resist the dig. Or those things going up and down the grocery... Read More

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2012 Tesla Model S

   Sure, think golf cart if you can't resist the dig. Or those things going up and down the grocery aisles. Think slow cars with no range, no sex appeal and long recharge times.  

Okay, now, think Tesla. E-tron. E-Wolf. Maybe Liz Inizio or even the Lightning GT. And let's not forget the Green GT. What do all these cars have in common? They are all seriously fast, with 0-60 times that will embarrass most sports cars.

Style? No more than your average gas guzzling supercar. In other words, gorgeous. Range? As much as 250 miles between charges. Recharge time? As little as ten minutes. Yes, you read that right. No longer than filling up a tank of gas without a pit crew. Wow. Second prize? 30 minutes for a full charge, still incredible. Now were talking. Prices? Dont ask, but probably not much more than for the gas powered competition. And for that you get constant torque and minimal maintenance, for at least a few years. 

The only thrill-kill, besides the price of admission, is the megabucks down the road when replacing thousands of lithium batteries. And yes, at least initially, batteries are included. But even that has been addressed by at least one company. So lets go for a ride...

Take the E-tron, Audis take on an electric supercar. It marries excellent acceleration (4.6 seconds to 62!) with enough room for five, and looks to be more prototype than concept car. Albeit a gorgeous and luxurious one, as you would expect from Audi.

The Dodge Circuit is styled as a true sports car, hitting 60 in under five seconds, and is based on the Lotus Europa platform, just as the Tesla is based on the Lotus Elise chassis.  It will have a range of 150 to 200 miles, depending on the driver, and is penciled in for 2011.

Then there is the aforementioned Tesla, named for the great inventor Nikolai Tesla (of alternating current fame). With a few hundred examples already on the roads, a lightning quick 3.9 second 060 time and an eye-catching chassis all would seem perfect. But being Tesla they have their sights on the Tesla Model S, with room for five, or seven with the folding child seats. Look for it in 2011. Keep in mind, family resemblance aside; the Tesla only shares 7 % of its parts with the Lotus.  With lithium batteries, weight reducing diets of carbon fiber and aluminum, and regenerative braking, Tesla claims over 244 miles on one charge, more than enough for in town commutes and even enough for a road trip if you limit yourself to a three or four hour drive. Still not up there with the 500 or 600 miles that some hybrids claim, but comparable with most gas guzzlers. And not too many hybrids can hang with your neighbors 911.

 The E-Wolfs e2 uses four in-wheel 134 horsepower electric motors to combine for 536 horsepower and wait for it - 738 lb-ft of torque! How about a top speed of 155 and all-wheel drive (you know, like Audi)? The e2 will have a187-mile range.To expedite your need for speed, it will use an innovative flat cell Li-Tec battery to recharge in just a half hour.  That torque figure above is truly scary in a good way when you factor in that most of it hits you from the get-go and never lets up. I remember the primal fear and thrill of a 911 Turbo jumping off the line, and this should feel faster, as it boasts more torque and response is truly instant.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

From the Lightning Car Company we get the Lightning GT Electric, with 1960s inspired design, a 130 mile per hour top speed, a four second sprint to 60 mph, and best of all a battery that recharges like lightning in only ten minutes. Heck, I can't get my shaver to fully recharge that fast. And then you are rewarded with a 250 mile range! Looks like the one to beat.  Most electric vehicle manufacturers have gone to using four motors, one per wheel, and the Lightning GT is no exception. Altair Nanotechnologies provides the lithium-titanate battery technology - supposedly a less toxic and more stable battery.   Those of us not on the Forbes 500 list will also appreciate that these batteries are designed to last twelve years, as opposed to the usual 3-5 before needing replacement. It's a good thing when your batteries outlast your payments.