You have heard about all the alternative power methods for vehicles,
but a lot of the electric cars discussed are never really produced at
all. Many times the cost of production is too high or they just don't
get the attention they need to make it on the market. No matter what
the reason, these vehicles are sometimes never seen at all past the
prototype that usually shows as unsuccessful as people aren't looking
for just fuel efficiency but many other features that are sometimes
not found with these great vehicles. In some cases however, there
proved to be a reason to produce the vehicles and present to the
commercial market for sale, with some surprising vehicles that
actually made it such as these 10 electric cars that were actually
produced.
1. Nissan Leaf. The first of this electric car were turned over
12/11/2010 to customers on the commercial market after a long awaited
arrival. The Nissan Leaf offers a higher mph and a much more efficient
operation with no gas required to operate.
2. 1902 Wood's Electric Phaeton. Believe it or not, there were
electric cars in the early 1900s as they became a vast concept picked
up by frontrunners in the industry. The 1902 Wood's Electric Phaeton
was the first of the electric vehicles actually produced, which was
really no more than a carriage without the horses and with an electric
powered battery offering an 18 mile range, 14mph, and a cost of
$2,000.
3. Battronic Electric Truck. This was another early edition that was
actually released in 1964 and offered a 2500 pound payload, up to
25mph, and a 62 mile range, for an optimal use of an efficient vehicle
that was at the prime of electric vehicle production.
4. Sebring Vanguard CitiCar. The CitiCar was produced as the logical
option for driving the city roads without burning the gas and emitting
the toxins and pollution that was noticed greatly by society. There
were 2,000 produced during its run with an offering of up to 44mph
with a normal cruise at 38mph, and a 50-60 mile range.
5. Elcar. This was another city vehicle that was actually produced and
released on the commercial market. Created by the Elcar Corporation,
the vehicle cost between $4,000 and $4,500, offered up to 45mph and a
range of 60 miles.
6. US Electricar S-10 Electric Pickup. With a 7 hour charge, this
pickup is fully charged, able to offer speeds much higher than
previous models and a range of 60 miles, with some lasting much longer
with a single charge. The vehicle was actually produced, but had lower
performance than efficiency.
7. Geo Metro. This was a four passenger sedan with an alternating
current motor with lead-acid batteries that increased the efficiency
and drive, as well as life of the electric vehicle. The Metro was able
to accomplish a 50 mile range with a single charge lasting about 8
hours.
8. Ford Ecostar Utility Van. This was a utility van that was produced
with 100 made, but it was deemed an R&D vehicle that wasn't offered
commercially. The van, however, included an alternating current motor
with a sodium sulfur battery that would get up to 70mph and had a
range of over 80 miles, typically up to 100, for a very functional,
high performance vehicle.
9. Electric Ford Ranger. This was a 700 pound payload vehicle that was
just recently in production and produced 75mph with a range of 70
miles. Unlike other electric vehicles, the Ford Ranger model could go
from 0-50 in 12 seconds, making it one of the more successful and
desired electric cars that were actually produced.
10. GM EV1. This is a two passenger sports car that has a liquid
cooled alternating current motor that can reach up to 80 mph. The
vehicle can go from 0 to 50 in 7 seconds, for an optimal performance
from the vehicle not found in many other electric cars produced.
While you may think that electric cars are new, you are quite wrong,
as there were early models as the concept was very hot during the
early 1900s. Once gasoline and the desire for efficiency was less than
before, the demand for these vehicles and production went to a very
low number, increasing again during the 60's and continuing through
the years to production even today with great models now being
released. Although the perfect electric vehicle isn't set to be
created until at least 2020, these are great reasons to pass the gas
station by and keep on trucking.
Source (with car pictures!):
http://www.myispfinder.com/blog/2010/10-electric-cars-that-were-actually-produced/