Electric Kit Cars

[Olivero]

How many electric kit cars are there on the market at the moment?

I am thinking of cars that are more sporty rather than milk floats...


I would love a 7-clone or to be able to retro fit an Austin Sprite.
Don't need a long range but would like something 'quick'.

[Olivero]

Yes I am very much based in the US. At some point I am planning to move from NYC to the west coast (LA or San Francisco) where something fun would work.

My feeling is that electric could make sense in a small, light and simple sports car.

Ignoring any arguments for or against electric vs petrol, and what the future might bring battery wise.

The UK makes some great cars and its auto engineering is first class.
The US is great at marketing and the business of business.


Germany seems to be on the right track with cars like the Wiesmann. I am sure there is room for a modern Lotus, Caterham, Cobra car. A blend of all the best bits and ethos, just at a sensible price. But make it modern, light and simple. Not retro and not at a crazy price.

[Olivero]

qdos said:

Electric Atom Supercar

Watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVV9azx4OBA

Oh and that's from 6 years ago too. Electric cars are NOT a joke

This is the type of car I am thinking about. Just cheaper!

I think the price should be ignored for the moment. As the market matures and demand goes up, costs will go down.


I would prefer a body shape closer to an MX5/Fisher Fury for a couple of reasons.
- To make it 'fit-in' with conventional cars a little more.
- So that at some point the whole surface could be covered in flexible solar panels that has been embedded into a clear gelcoat. Extend the range for free.
eg - http://www.siliconsolar.com/flexible-solar-panels....


Could the batteries be quickly recharged using another car, in the same way that you would jump start a car at the moment?

[Olivero]

Max_Torque said:

Now, don;t get me wrong, it's perfectly possible to build an electric kit car, and it will be alot of fun, but you could have a lot more fun for a lot less money with a conventional ICE engine ;-)

I remember an interview with a very bright chap from a few years ago. He was given a (very large) grant to live in a very low-impact/low-energy way for a year. He figured out how to do this in many, non-hippy ways but said that the one area where it was not that practical was personal transport. Basically the calorific value of petrol is so high to weight and an ICE is pretty good at what it does to rule out getting rid of it.

I would love an impractical sports car, that has a limited range and ok top speed, for no other reason than trying something new. That and a near silent car would be cool.


Do I think electric cars are the answer to some big question? No, not really, but I don't think that matters.

Do I think prices will come down in a very big way? Yes, not for a while and only when the big companies really get involved.



I also want to hear the rumble of N/A 4.6l V8 in something rapid. That shouldn't have to rule out a tiny electric toy though.