neat car came into work today

[FB71]

We're currently talking with Th!nk EV about becoming their Mid-Atlantic (possibly entire east coast) training facility. They're getting ready to release their cars for public sale by 4th qtr 2010. Two reps stopped by to talk with us today. Top speed of 70mph, range of 100 miles (@55mph). No info recharge time or price yet, but expected to be above $30k. Too rich for me... But, here's some pics!

[FB71]

more pics;

[FB71]

more still;

[FB71]

last one

[SimonTuffGuy]

Looks like a pretty neat little car. But at $30k? That's out of my range to consider.

[eurotiva]

At least it has a funtop....

[batstiva]

Greg, you figured out how to turbo an EV yet?

I like the idea of running on something other than gasoline/diesel, but they will have to massively come down in price and up in range between charge ups before they will actually be commercially viable.

[Ephet]

Wow thats awesome but $30k i dont know about that, ill just get a prius for 20 and ill get places faster when the pedal gets stuck.

[MTec007]

IF i had the money (and i dont) i could actually use that one, it will get me to and from work (barely) but my wife would get stuck on the way home from school. i think the AC and power steering should be removed completely, that may make enough of a difference

[wybnrml]

It's like a cross between a Mini Cooper and a Smart car.:p I do like the rear hatch though.

[chrisofna]

Replace the batteries with LiPo equivalents, it'll go farther.

[MTec007]

the rear hatch will probably cost as much as the car to replace when it gets cracked chipped, or some idiot rear ends you or hits your PARKED car.. :S

[Pu241]

IF i had the money (and i dont) i could actually use that one, it will get me to and from work (barely) but my wife would get stuck on the way home from school. i think the AC and power steering should be removed completely, that may make enough of a difference

Yeah was thinking same thing!
But might be able to charge while at work to make the drive back.
But at $30K, this is a toy for the rich.

Replace the batteries with LiPo equivalents, it'll go farther.

Agreed, but the price would go up how much more?
Better/cheaper to plug in if your at work for 8+ hrs, if you can!

[chrisofna]

Agreed, but the price would go up how much more?
Better/cheaper to plug in if your at work for 8+ hrs, if you can!

Yeah true but Hybrid/Electric Car technology won't make it anywhere on these crap lead batteries, they are counter-intuitive; you want to keep the weight down for the electric motor to get anywhere but then fill the car with 1500 pounds of batteries.

[FB71]

IF i had the money (and i dont) i could actually use that one, it will get me to and from work (barely) but my wife would get stuck on the way home from school. i think the AC and power steering should be removed completely, that may make enough of a difference

this one didn't have PS, really doesn't need it. It will be an option when they go on sale.

DTE gage (Distance To Empty) starts at 100 miles, but that is greatly influenced by the speeds driven.

It would work fo me (70 miles round trip, with charging available at work), but no way I'm paying that much for it. Its the batteries that add to pricetag.

Replace the batteries with LiPo equivalents, it'll go farther.

they are LiPo, according to the rep.

EnerDel in Indiana makes them.

Oh, and the car itself is being built in Indiana, too.

Yeah was thinking same thing!
But might be able to charge while at work to make the drive back.
But at $30K, this is a toy for the rich.

yeah, definately not for most of us.

Also, this is the Th!nk City, designed for short urban commutes. The Th!nk People is on its way behind this one, and is supposed to be larger and have a longer range.

Not defending this thing, guys. Just sharing what I know.