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EVs: Hope for Rural Transportation?

August 7th, 2008

Yeah, I know. EVERYBODY is starting to dream about a whole new generation of cars and trucks for getting around in the 21st century without fossil fuels. But those of us who live in the wider countryside inventing wider, self-sufficient lives as homesteaders usually have to plan a bit farther out than city dwellers. Who, when push comes to shove (or just $5+ a gallon gasoline), can always ride the bus or take their bike or even hitch-hike on crowded roads full of mostly empty vehicles at a near standstill any time of day.

I’m a big fan of Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Insight, but the hybrid technology isn’t really where it needs to be for my desire to somehow translate someday homestead energy self-sufficiency to transportation as well. For that, I’ll need all-electric. And something a lot more stable, dependable, useful and warmer in the winter than a glorified golf cart.

Something big enough to carry at least a couple of people, safe enough to protect us from bad drivers, fast enough to use the interstate, with enough range to get to and from the nearest regional farmer’s market - that’s about 60 miles round trip - without having to buy someone else’s electricity. Grocery store and other such amenities are in closer, smaller towns, 5-7 miles away (less than 15 round trip). I’ll need either a pickup-style bed - with sides and tailgate - or large luggage space in order to carry tools, machinery, trash (we have to haul our own), groceries (only shop once a week) and general ’stuff’. Like logs for firewood and lumber for building and… well, you know what I mean. And something that charges in a short enough period of time (whenever gas stations start offering paid by-the-hour 110 and 220 volt chargers) to get 500 miles in one day on occasion.

All that, I’ve discovered, makes for a tall order for what’s actually available out there in the way of electric vehicles right now (or going into production in two years or less). Also, we live in the mountains. We’re going to need some actual power going up steep grades. That too is kind of just a wish right now.

We’ll of course have to just tighten our belts and pay for the gasoline through the next five years at least, but by then I do hope what we need out here will be available at a price we can reasonably afford. If all we needed was a commuter gad-about, there are some very, very cool ones out right now. Cheapest is under $7,000. Some cost as much as high end SUVs do now. Some sleek, fast sports car versions will set you back more than a new Corvette.

For YOUR dreaming-of-the-future pleasure, check out some of the websites I found for EVs (Electric Vehicles). I figure by the time I’ve got the solar panels on the roof, the wind turbine on the ridge and the hydro plant on the creek going and all hooked up to my backwards meter, there will be a pretty fair secondhand market for some of these, and including the current hybrids. Short of getting a mule or horse, I’m going to hold out as long as I can…

Global Electric Motorcars
Offers incredibly ugly glorified golf cart kits if you’re mechanically adept. Top speed is just 25 miles per hour, get ~30 miles per charge on a 72-volt battery using 110. Kind of nice if you live and work in the ‘burbs.

Commuter Cars’ Tango
Kind of cute 1-passenger skinny thing you can park anywhere a motorcycle can. It screams to more than 120 miles per hour, gets 80 miles per charge (depending on new battery tech), and is amazingly stable and safe. It costs more than $100,000, not in my league but will be a big hit with the young execs in the city.

AC Propulsion eBox
This is a strange one. You buy the boxy Scion xB, they’ll do the conversion. They don’t say if you get your actual engine back or anything. It’s exactly the size of an xB (surprise!) and just as ugly. It’ll go 95 miles per hour using an AC induction motor and lithium ion battery. It’s got a 120-150 mile range between charges, and there’s a quick-charge option. The xB and conversion will cost you in the range of $70-75,000.

Myers Motors NmG
The NmG (pictured above) is the cutest little cartoon car you ever laid eyes on! I want one so bad for my college-bound grandson that it’s a good thing I’m not rich (it starts at $30,000). Single passenger, it can get up to 75 miles per hour and accelerates quick, but has just a 35-45 mile range per charge. This is the PERFECT college kid campus town gadabout for anyone who isn’t worried about paying back huge student loans.

Phoenix Motor Cars
These are just what the homestead ordered, but I’m surely going to have to wait until the third-hand market comes around. Phoenix makes full-size SUVs and work trucks that are gorgeous. Selling mostly for fleet use at this point, probably because buyers are taking advantage of capital and tax breaks to do so - you have to email them before you can know how much it costs, I’m guessing $100,000+.

Using new battery technology, the trucks have a 130 mile range per charge, 250 with an expansion pack. They use 220 volt chargers, but do offer a 10-minute quick-charge adaptor.

Universal Electric Vehicle Corp.
The Electrum Spyder 2-passenger convertible is one very classy sports car with a 100+ mph top speed and a 250 mile range. Wowsa. UEV also offers the Electrum COM-V3 2-seater, 3-wheel commuter car. It’s got a 75-150 mile range, an 80 mph top speed, 16 cubic feet of luggage space and not too weird a look. You have to call them for pricing, so expect to bid high.

ZAP Electric Cars
ZAP’s got several models, the most useful-at-a-glance would have to be their Xebra line of 3-wheelers, offering a 4-passenger sedan and a pickup (they also have a 4-wheel pickup). A 40 mph top speed will keep you off the interstate, and the 25-mile range is too shallow for use around this homestead. But it charges on 110, uses lead acid batteries, and starts at just $11,700 - reasonable. Plus it comes in Zebra stripes, which I’m sure is a selling point somewhere.

Here’s a couple of good sources for keeping track of EV developments, as investment has started pouring in and the Big Boyz in Detroit are just not going to be able to stop it any more.

Drive Electric
Electrifying Times: Latest Electric Car News

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