Plugging in, taking off: Eight electric vehicle startups to watch
The Tesla Roadster: Already selling. (Credit: Tesla Motors)
Bright Automotive. Bright doesn’t do sexy. Its vehicle is a plug-in hybrid panel van, intended for fleet use. Headed by John Waters, the guy who designed the battery pack for the General Motors EV-1 electric car, Bright has laser-like focus on just the fleet market, and is talking to big players like Coca-Cola. Launched just last year, the Bright team built its vehicle from the ground up in a year. On the road, the Bright Idea (which I have not yet seen) achieves a reported 100-mpg equivalent. Production is set to begin in 2012, with a target of 50,000 annually, but that’s pretty ambitious.
Brammo. There’s something about a distribution deal with Best Buy that gets people to take you seriously. This is a cool-looking electric motorcycle that can be fixed by the Geek Squad. The $12,000 Enertia, which has a lightweight carbon-fiber frame carrying lithium-iron-phospate batteries, weighs just 280 pounds. Fast it isn’t, with a top speed of 50 mph from its 18-horsepower electric motor, but Brammo is claiming the equivalent of 300 mpg. It recharges in three hours on regular house current. CEO Craig Bramscher says, “What we’re selling is a lot closer to consumer electronics than to transportation.” I second that emotion.
Fisker Automotive. Denmark-born Henrik Fisker is an industry veteran who knows how to create a business plan, in this case to finance the 2010 Karma, a Tesla-rivaling four-seat plug-in hybrid exotic with a 50-mile range on its battery pack, and the fuel economy equivalent of 100-mpg once the engine kicks in. The car, to be built in Finland, will sell for $87,900. If it’s a Tesla-like tiger on the road (I haven’t driven it) the Karma will have a good chance in the marketplace. Fisker thinks it will be producing 15,000 annually, and again that’s a big number. (Tesla has only delivered 500 cars so far.) Deposits are $5,000, but if you want the more-exclusive Karma S convertible that will be $25,000 please.
BYD. The fact that financier Warren Buffett bought into this Chinese company (10 percent for $230 million) caused a lot of people to sit up and take notice. And when BYD got a plug-in hybrid car on the market before any other world manufacturer, they noticed even more. I saw the car at the Detroit Auto Show, and the F3DM is not exactly showy, but on the other hand it can reportedly go 60 miles on a charge, and the one-liter gas engine recharges on the fly. BYD says it will come to the U.S. in 2011. BYD is not technically a startup, but cars are a relatively recent development for this world-leading battery company.
Think Global. This Norwegian company has had a fascinating history. From a startup in Norway it went to becoming part of Ford, but the automaker sold out in the 1990s. The company has had serious cash flow problems, but is reportedly soon to announce a reorganization plan that will include U.S. sales. Think’s major asset is a lightweight, plastic-bodied electric car with sodium or lithium-ion batteries (from a variety of manufacturers, including U.S.-based Ener1) that it has already started delivering in Europe. According to its website, “Think is getting closer to resuming production of the Think City and to honoring its commitment to start delivering vehicles to customers before the end of the year. Think’s customers are eagerly awaiting their new Think EV in cities across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain.” Think is technically not a start-up either, but for the few cars it has ever sold its re-launch certainly counts as one.
Coda. I drove a Coda in Greenwich, Connecticut recently, my first time behind the wheel of a Chinese-made car. Coda’s Corolla-sized car is based on the Saibao sedan, with a big battery pack built by the Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Company. Porsche Design Studio gave it a makeover (necessary, if the $45,000 asking price is to find buyers). The Coda reaches 60 mph in less than 11 seconds, is speed-governed at 80 mph, and has 100-mile range. CEO Kevin Czinger is a smart player, with a long business resume, and his car has cemented strong relationships with Chinese and European supplier that should make the car more than the sum of its parts. The plan is to sell 2,700 in 2010, and then ramp up to a full production capacity of 20,000 annually.
Wheego. This Atlanta-based startup makes the whimsically named Wheego Whip, a low-speed vehicle that’s not allowed on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or more. Unlike other LSVs, this $19,000 entry with 55 miles of range is fully finished, with four-wheel discs, air conditioning, a stereo and other amenities that take it beyond golf-cart status. There are reportedly 40,000 LSVs on American roads, but Wheego will soon introduce a fully road-worthy EV and that’s when the company could really become a player. CEO Mike McQuary is, like Elon Musk at Tesla, a former investor who liked what he saw. “The Whip is the best electric car in the world,” he says.
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Comments(48)
Posted By JB - Tue, Sep 15 2009 at 10:59 AM ESTMan even Africa can do better than these 6
See the design specs for the Joule at this link - what happened to the new world ????
http://www.carblog.co.za/2008/10/21/the-joule-south-african-electric-car...
Posted By Anonymous - Sun, Jul 19 2009 at 11:11 PM EST50 Miles??!!??
Really??! they can go 50 miles some of us go 2 times that far just to get to work. i guess i would have to leave hours early so i could stop half way there. What about caring a load or 4 wheel drive.... So i am guessing none of them will work very well unless you live in a city and don't really need to drive them. Then that would fix everything you would not need a car any way.....
Posted By Anonymous - Sun, Jul 19 2009 at 7:05 AM ESTMINI electrics
If I remember right , I believe I recently saw a piece about a new MINI EV being planned. Sounds interesting and would make a good platform for EV.
Posted By Anonymous - Sat, Jul 18 2009 at 9:52 PM ESTJust like 1991 all over again!
A few years ago, while cleaning old records out of storage, I happened across a receipt for a computer our office bought in 1991. I remember at the time we thought it was AMAZING!
It was a "386 IBM clone" (386 mhz processor) with 16 meg of ram and a 125 megabit hard drive and it included a tape backup!
And the best part? It only cost $3100.00 (a steal at the time).
That was the cost of being an early adapter. Whether it's ego, adventure or seeking a competitive advantage -.... More
Posted By ulagsm.ru - Thu, Jul 16 2009 at 2:35 PM ESTmy next car is EV
It's decided, burning oil in the engine is dinasaurus. Waste of money, oxygen and opportunities. Electric vehicle is faster!!! Teslamotors Model S!!!
Posted By Lewis R Cramer - Thu, Jul 09 2009 at 11:03 AM ESTElectric Cars have been around for awhile
In the 80s the magazine Mother Earth News published several articles about an individual who converted several autos to electric using electric starters from jet engines (bought from surplus stores), a battery probably, an alternator and a lawn mower engine, he also sold plans.
Posted By Dan Jenkins - Thu, Jul 09 2009 at 5:55 AM ESTSmith Electric Vehicles is Already Here
Dear Jim, I would invite you to visit Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp out in Kansas City. Smith builds proven pure electric trucks, which have been successfully operating in Europe for almost three years. Smith is already delivering vehicles to Fortune500 customers - and furthermore in 2010 it will deliver the first EV in Ford's new electrification strategy. www.sev-us.com.
Posted By AmaradoDave - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 10:52 PM ESTVectrix Electric Scooter
I realize the article was mainly about cars, but I have used a Vectrix Electric Scooter for a commuter vehicle for a year now (weather permitting). 27 miles each direction at hwy speeds... and 25 cents per day to operate. No complaints. It was $9500 off the showroom floor and I consider it money well spent.
Posted By Jim Motavalli - Thu, Jul 09 2009 at 8:52 AM ESTscooters too
I think a piece just on electric scooters and motorcycles would be timely, but I can't get everything into one story!
Posted By Anonymous - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 3:50 PM ESTVapourware from Silly Con Valley
Most of these are toys for the well heeled - not serious contenders. The Tesla is pure vapourware. A $40K Elise with a $30K battery pack and $30K of low volume engineering amortization = a guaranteed loss on every vehicle
With the price of Li compounds escalating, the EV industry is charging down a blind alley - attempting to compete with conventional fuel energy densities with vehicles that cant compete.
Posted By Anonymous - Fri, Jul 10 2009 at 12:00 AM ESTNot sure you understand
the term 'vaporware' (or 'vapourware' if you're a Brit). It refers to technology that is always being developed, and just around the corner, but never actually materializes. The Tesla Roadster, which you characterize as vapourware, has existed for several years. It exists. Therefore it cannot be vaporware. Tesla is also making a profit off of every vehicle sold. So your "guaranteed loss" is looking about as guaranteed as a GM pension plan. It will also kick the living sh+t out of an Elise. .... More
Posted By Jim Motavalli - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:17 PM ESTnot just a technology race
You're forgetting the twin drivers of global warming and peak oil. Even if conventional cars are "superior," we have to stop burning so much fossil fuel.
Posted By Exxon - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:13 PM ESTComment brought to you by big oil!
It never ceases to amaze me that status quo "we don't gifve a sh*t about the future" trolls have the time to populate such sites and deny we are heading for serious do-do if we allow the disgustingly short sighted present to continue.
Wait... I get it... Give a couple thousand dollars to a few of the growing unemployed and ask them to sell their souls and spread garbage on sites trying to save the planet!!! Wow!!!
Posted By Mic Litter - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 2:32 PM ESTTHESE ARE TOO EXPENSIVE!
You didn't mention Phoenix Motors or Extreme Cycles, the former of which makes awesome trucks waaaaay less expensive than most of these models and the latter which makes highway-safe electric bikes that actually happen to look good and are easiy to repair at home. You didn't mention ZAP, either, but they only have one decent-looking vehicle that isn't some stupid glorified golf-cart. Hybrids are cheating... they are for engineers who like to CUT CORNERS.
I own one of extreme's electric.... More
Posted By Anonymous - Fri, Jul 10 2009 at 12:07 AM ESTOk, settle down
Let's not make the perfect the enemy of the good. There is room for more than one type of electric car. Different people have different tastes. Some may actually want luxury or a sports car.
Truth is right now the technology is so expensive you have to get people who are willing to pay the premium. One way to do that is to get into more expensive car markets. Tesla seems to be following the model of pay for the innovation with an expensive sports car, then use the resulting.... More
Posted By Cosmo - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 1:26 PM ESTWhat about Better Place?
I'm curious as to why Better Place was left off this list. Does the author not think that that company is viable? Is so, I'd be interested in hearing why, it seems that the business model is very unique, so I don't know exactly how effective the company or that companies plan is myself. I know there are no plans for deployment in the US for some time as well, so even though the company is based in Palo Alto, this may not count in terms of the point of this article.
Cosmo
Posted By Jim Motavalli - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 2:02 PM ESTnot a car startup
Better Place is indeed a fascinating company but it's in the business of wiring cities, states and countries for electric car charging. It's not going to make cars. Other players in this field are Coulomb, ECOtality and Project Get Ready.
Posted By Carol T - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 1:08 PM ESTToo expensive
With all that Government money, it looks like they could design a vehicle that is affordable to the average consumer. Once again, China, Korea and Japan will come up with a better design for less money and put these American, silicon Valley car developers out of business and we (taxpayers) lose the "development loan" $ to a bankrupt company. How many "regular" (not celebrities) people do you know that can afford a $100,000 car, expecially in this economy? Why can't American's develope an.... More
Posted By we make the future - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:21 PM ESTthe volt is really much more exciting
I know it's not a start-up, but the volt is really much more exciting to look foreward to. The Karma is pretty slick, and yes while these first units are a wee bit o $$$, the Think will be much more reasonable and really only the tesla and karma are way out of reach for lots of folks...
Bright is definately one to watch, as is the volt and in general I think that as battery tech continues to improve (lots of activity in this area) and new materials tech is incorporated (a la Amory Lovins group.... More
Posted By Doug Bartlett - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 12:49 PM ESTCan't Wait!
Great article. I can't wait to have all of these choices when I purchase my next car. Someone told me that their might be BIG problems in the future with replacing all of the batteries that have a finite life in all electric cars. I gather that some battery materials are starting to become hard to fine... is that true??? I mean, if we need to replace millions and millions of these kinds of batteries once these cars get selling, won't that be troublesome?
Posted By Rich M. - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 12:44 PM ESTConservative and for only the well-to-do
Please look at ZPM's Air car: once it is supported it will leave all the above in the ether. France's Guy Negre, the designer, is way ahead of the thoughts to save our ailing planet and to supply AFFORDABLE CARS TO ANYONE.
Peruse the site and support ZPM!
Posted By we make the future - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:29 PM ESTnet energetics suck
from what I understand both the net energetics and mpg equivalent analysis' have shown this to be a poor technology. Batteries have loads of multi-purpose synergistic factors in their favor, such as serving as decentralized storage systems/peaking resources for renewable energy. The entire new models of an electric future dovetails nicely, indeed even demands rapid deployment of electrics.
Oh, sorry... back to my point... air cars are mostly hot air unless they find a new system for.... More
Posted By ChadO - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 2:19 AM ESTZero S
No mention of the Zero S? It is at par with that Best Buy Bike but has a bigger, Swappable, battery and a lower price. Not to mention looks better too.
Posted By Internet troll - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 1:07 AM ESTLive oil free now
"Solar system is not visible from the street, yet powers both the house and two plug-in EVs.
Live essentially oil-free using solar rooftop electric to make your own electricity, feeding excess electric into the grid during daytime periods of peak power, and charging the Electric Vehicle at night when electric usage falls and generators are shut down for lack of demand.
The plug-in cars, the batteries that give over 100 miles range, and the solar systems exist right now. You can put.... More
Posted By DaveC - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 3:56 PM ESTGood Summary
Great article and summary of the CA local electric transportation companies. I know people can second guess your choices all day long..but was surprised to not see Phoenix Motorcars on the list..especially since you're including fleet vehicles. Looks like a good company with a viable product. In any case..these are the companies leading the way and pulling Detroit kicking and screaming into the current century. My money's on Tesla..literally. - R75
Posted By RB - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 10:46 AM ESTWrong on Brammo
I agree with Tesla, Bright, BYD. Fisker, I hope so. As for Brammo's EEM, only the prototype's chassis is made of carbon fiber. The production model's is made of extruded and forged aluminum. Furthermore, that distro deal with Best Buy is not a sure thing. This summer Best Buy is testing Segways, scooters, and most likely the Brammo Enertia in 20 west coast stores. If they don't like the results, they won't be selling them. (I say this with some authority- I'm a IMPA member and I spoke to.... More
Posted By Clear Evolution - Fri, Jul 24 2009 at 4:11 PM ESTBrammo Distribution
It will be interesting to see how things pan out with Bram and Best Buy. Seeing as Best Buy is supposed to be the leading hub for new technology and improvements, they would really be laying the ground work and setting the standards for electric transportation.
Posted By Jstfadd - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 8:39 AM ESTWhat? No Aptera?
How could you ignore Aptera but include so many Vapor cars?
Posted By Anonymous - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:31 PM ESTAptera
Enter your comments here
As a designer, Aptera's shape is the most interesting part of the vehicle. I like the features, and of course the electric/fuel efficency aspects. Making a car that is as aerodynamic as a plane fucelage tells me this company is considering all aspects of getting from point A to B, not just batteries,weight and engine size. I find it hard to understand why car makers are still putting square boxes on wheels, when we know the inefficiency of this shape moving through.... More
Posted By Jim Motavalli - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 9:00 AM ESTJim to Aptera; Show me
I didn't "forget" about Aptera. I have a hard time believing that the car can achieve liftoff wiith such a strange design--an airplane without wings--but I could be surprised. I like the car and the people behind it.
Posted By Stanley M - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 12:36 AM ESTZAP Electric Vehicles
Zaptruck XLs are shipping 100% plug-in electric LSV. Everybody keeps talking about EV's of the future, but this is one of the only companies actually doing it right now.
The stock price is cheap too! Ticker symbol: ZAAP
Posted By Anonymous - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:44 PM ESTZap
Enter your comments here
We bought a Zap Zebra for our 16 yr. old son. The first time I helped him wash it, and saw how cheaply it was made, I realized what a death trap it would be if it got hit by almost anything else on the road. (Problem 1) Problem 2 pretty much solved my fears reguarding problem 1. When the weather got cold, even with the "upgraded" batteries, it would only get about 5-6 miles on a full charge: hardly enough for us to use it for any transportation, since we live.... More
Posted By Electricnick - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 11:00 PM EST5 Startups Plus One
We would definitely add Commuter Cars with their Tango.
The Electricnick.com team.
Posted By Anonymous - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 10:45 PM ESTTake a look at KLD
$12K for an electric motorcycle? (it does look cool) KLD's new electric motor will bring the price of electric way down:
www.kldenergy.com
Posted By kdcalgary - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 10:30 PM ESTWhat about Motive Industries?
If you like Aptera then you have to consider Motive Industries "Switch" composite battery exchange electric vehicle! After all they designed the Aptera! www.motiveind.com
Posted By Rus - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 10:23 PM ESTNo Aptera?
Moreso than any of these ... Aptera will be bigger than any of these.
Posted By we make the future - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:32 PM ESTI'm eagerly waiting for this to come true
real slick vehicle... would love to see it work... glad I live in California!
Posted By Jim Motavalli - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 10:19 AM ESTWhat evidence?
What evidence do you have to support this claim of Aptera greatness? I hope you're right.
Posted By Puneet - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 10:08 PM ESTZenn Motors?
Zenn Motors will also change the game when it launches early 2010 with a high speed, well priced, eletric car that you can charge at home.
Posted By we make the future - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:37 PM ESTreally a questionable claim
Boy, we are all so hopeful!!! again, I'd love this to come true but thus far, Zenn pairing up and becoming dependant on that "maybe someday" ultra capacitor company (forget the name) rings hollow to me... there's a lot a bullsh*t in this field but I do know that if just a few of the above live up to their expectations and as tech improves, we're on the way to a different world!!!
Posted By VeloChef - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 3:51 PM EST9th Electric Vehicle - Optibike
Optibike is the highest performance electric bicycle in the world. The company was started by Jim Turner, an automotive engineer, with the simple notion to build the a quality electric bicycle to help people become more healthy and mobile.
Each electric bike is hand made in Boulder, CO, to fit the consumers needs. It weights a slight 68lbs, is powered with an integrated electric motor, and will easily travel over 30 miles between charges of its lightweight Lithium batteries. Only.... More
Posted By Randy C - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 11:12 AM ESTTo Expensive
Its Cool, but its priced itself out of reach for the average consumer.
Posted By Anonymous - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 12:25 PM ESTNew Auto Industry
Excellent piece -- I hadn't heard of many of these companies. The "New GM" that emerges from bankruptcy will face tough competition from these aggressive start-ups. I hope the US Gvt understands that companies like Bright and Fisker are the future of the auto industry, and that they give as much attention / resources to helping these companies grow as they have devoted to helping GM and Chrysler shrink.
Posted By we make the future - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 7:43 PM ESTTHIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!!
I agree, excellent story. I hope some of the factories shed by our domestic auto industry are refitted to produce ultra highly efficient electrics... These factories should be offered, at bargain basement rates to companies such as Bright to help facilitate mass deployment of this stuff. Our children will either hate us for what we fail to do or love us for finally waking up and doing what we desperately need to do...
Posted By Grey Garvin - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 11:36 AM ESTwhen i see stories like this...
I don't feel badly about GM or Ford...these are our future endeavors...innovation, creativity, something novel that we can export.
Posted By Barry W. - Mon, Jul 06 2009 at 11:24 AM ESTEVs
Who ... super cool. I hadn't heard of all these companies.
Tesla is doing it right
I have to think that tesla is the best of the group. They are actually making one that 57k, and it's as sexy as any other car. When you factor in gas it's not priced bad at all.
http://www.carinfo4u.com