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5 Electric Cars You Can Buy Now
by Peter Valdes-Dapena
Tesla Roadster
Charge time: 3.5 hours
Range: 220 miles
Top speed: 125 mph
The Tesla Roadster, which recently entered production, is probably the best known in America. The company's president has called it "the only production electric car for sale in the United States."
There are several other electric car companies that would differ with him on that point, but those other vehicles are either limited to speeds below 25 miles per hour or have fewer than four wheels, making their status as "cars" somewhat debatable.
With a full set of wheels and a claimed top speed of 125 mph, there's no question this two-seat convertible is a real car. Tesla also boasts an amazing 220-mile range on a full charge as measured in EPA fuel economy tests.
Meanwhile, the charging time claimed by Tesla is less than half that of other electric vehicles, thanks to advanced lithium-ion batteries which do account for much of the car's high cost.
But even gasoline-powered two-seat soft-tops are luxury toys, not daily drivers. Tesla promises it is working hard on a more moderately priced four-door model for driving's other half.
GEM Car
Cost: $7,000 to $13,000
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Range: 30-40 miles
Top speed: 25 mph
The GEM car, from Chrysler's Global Electric Motorcars division, is more typical of what's available to today's average consumer.
It's a small, lightweight vehicle that can go up to 25 mph. It can go just a little faster on a downhill grade, but the electric motor automatically steps in to slow it down.
The 25 mph top speed is a matter of law, not engineering. "Low Speed Vehicles" (LSVs) like the GEM don't have to meet the same safety requirements as faster cars. They can only be driven on roads with speed limits below 35 mph, so highways and even faster surface arteries are off limits.
But 25 mph is still adequate for many daily commutes and around-the-town errands. In many gated communities, you're not allowed to go any faster, anyway.
Like most low-speed vehicles, the GEM has three-point safety belts and uses laminated safety glass for its windshield. It has a range of 30 miles on a six-to-eight hour charge, the company says.
The GEM still sells mostly to fleet customers. It's available in versions with seating for two, four or six and with a flat bed or with a literal trunk, as shown here.
Dynasty iT Sedan
Cost: $14,000 to $25,000
Charge time: 6 hours
Range: 30 miles
Top speed: 25 mph
Dynasty Electric Car Corp. is a company in transition. The Canadian electric car maker was recently bought by a Pakistani auto company, and its North American manufacturing facilities are being transferred to Pakistan, a company representative said.
Right now, Dynasty has only a few cars available in the U.S., but more should be available once factory production is up and running again.
The Dynasty iT sedan has a two-speed transmission and halogen headlamps. It has an aluminum frame and a fiberglass body, and it can go up to 25 mph.
ZENN
Cost: $16,000
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Range: 30-50 miles
Top speed: 25 mph
The ZENN (Zero Emissions, No Noise) is available with a sunroof, a stereo and air conditioning. (For a limited time, the company is offering free AC.)
Its maker, ZENN Motor Company Inc., claims its energy efficiency is equivalent to a gasoline-powered car getting 245 miles per gallon.
The Toronto-based carmaker recently announced plans for a highway-capable auto to go on sale in the autumn of 2009.
Zap Xebra
Cost: $11,700
Charge time: 6 hours
Range: 25 miles
Top speed: 40 mph
Technically speaking, the Xebra isn't a car. That's because it has only one front wheel, which makes it a motorcycle even though it can amazingly seat up to four.
And as a motorcycle, it can go faster than 25 mph without having to meet the heavy-weight safety requirements of a real car. But with a top speed of 40 mph, the Xebra still isn't suited to highway driving. It can go 25 miles on full charge.
The Xebra is made by California-based electric vehicle maker, Zap, but it's manufactured in China. It's available with leather seats and a CD player.
( Source : Yahoo News )
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