Touche': Maybe GM Should Have Taken Lessons From These Guys On How To Make A REAL Electric Vehicle

You gotta admire the gumption of a small suburban Cincinnati outfit called Amp Electric Vehicles. They saw a vacancy in the green-vehicle market -- electric crossover SUVs -- and just decided to fill it, with no direct cooperation from a major manufacturer.

They figured they'd begin by picking a popular vehicle that already achieves state-of-the-art fuel economy (Chevrolet's four-cylinder Equinox), as it probably already has pretty optimal weight, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance.

Starting with a fully homologated and crash-tested vehicle also sidesteps a ton of development and testing work. Then "all" Amp has to do is rip out the drivetrain, fuel, and exhaust systems, and replace them with electric components. Plug-n-play, right?




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Joe_Limon - 10/26/2010 3:01:32 PM

-1 Boost

I wonder how much of that 700 pound battery is being used? I hope it's not being completely drained. Doesn't the volt only allow about 25% battery drainage to ensure the longest possible lifespan?

Agent009 - 10/26/2010 3:19:17 PM

0 Boost

Good question. But if it were a severe lifespan issue I think the other makers we have reported evaluating them would not be there.

Joe_Limon - 10/26/2010 4:08:19 PM

-1 Boost

It's serious enough of an issue that gm quartered their potential electric only mileage.

Agent009 - 10/26/2010 4:24:31 PM

0 Boost

Still hasn't stopped MB from taking notice.

Besides battery technology is only one part of the equation. They might have other technologies to limit consumption as well that has peaked interest.

uaw_lax - 10/27/2010 1:17:49 AM

0 Boost

This will cost about 50K.

Agent009 - 10/27/2010 8:58:34 AM

0 Boost

about 10k more than the Volt which is far smaller.

uaw_lax - 10/27/2010 10:48:48 AM

0 Boost

The Volt is far more piratical and more complex. This thing is just a stack of batteries like a Tesla car. BTW GM tried this configuration first there is a reason why you don't put what drives your wheels under the frame of the vehicle.