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China reveals Electric 4x4
By Simon Ward-Hastelow
10th Jun 2009
Chinese company, New Power, has revealed what it describes as the first production ready, electric family car. the fact that its also a 4x4 is beside the point but it does show what is possible. The question should be why are US and European manufacturers so far behind?
For years, engineers in Europe, America and Japan have struggled to achieve the perfect balance: a battery that is small and light enough to fit in a family car, yet capable of storing enough energy to keep it going for a practical range between charges.
The pathetic G-Wiz, Britain’s bestselling electric vehicle, can just about squeeze 48 miles between charges as long as you don't need to use the lights or windscreen wipers; the Smart ED beats that by only 14 miles; and even the electric Mini only claims a range of 150 miles and the the huge battery takes up the back seat making it a 2 seater - plus the slight problem that BMW on't plan to make it anyway
Then along comes New Power with an electric four-seater and a range of 250 miles, a top speed of 75mph and an estimated price tag of between £16,300 and £20,500.
The car’s basic bodywork and chassis are based on a 2006 Daihatsu Terios, a compact 4x4, the licence for which was bought and adapted for Chinese production, originally as a petrol car. The electric version looks identical to a conventional Terios from the outside, with the recharging point where the petrol cap should be and only the absence of an exhaust pipe giving the game away.
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