Top 5 Electric City Cars of the Future
As the world's first mass produced EV- the Nissan LEAF- hits the road, what does the future of EVs hold? Mega City Vehicles and electric versions of our favourite cars thats what….here are my top five electric city cars of the future.
BMW Megacity
Its looks likes its come straight out of a sci-fi movie but the ultra-modern BMW Megacity is not quite fiction. BMW's electric city is due to go into production in 2013 and is the result of years of intensive research into how we live and drive in the worlds growing number of ‘megacities'.
Developed under BMW's Project i program the Megacity will have a much longer service life than a typical car thanks to the corrosion-proof aluminium chassis, carbon passenger cell and robust electric motor, with a focus on sustainability. It's expected that the Megacity will stay in services for decades and cost little in maintenance. Good job really as the 'premium' EV will cost a small fortune, no prices have been released yet but it's going to be expensive.
Audi A1 e-tron
The Audi A1 e-tron, based on the Germans manufacturer's award winning A1, has been described as a ‘Mega City Vehicle'- echoes of the BMW Megacity. Like the Chevy Volt and Vauxhall Ampera the e-tron is an extended range EV. In all electric mode the Audi A1 e-tron is capable of doing 31 miles in city traffic, before the Wankel rotary engine will kick in. The engine can recharge the etron's battery enough to do a further 124 miles per gallon.
Audi plans to do a field test of its A1 e-tron in Munich, Germany this year. The Audi R8 e-tron, the brands electric supercar, is expected to be released in limited numbers in 2012.
Mazda 2 Electric
Mazda are the latest manufacturer to announce plans to trail a new electric hybrid car, which will be based on the brands popular city car- the Mazda2. The EV is expected to borrow Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and have an electric range of 124 miles, identical to that of the Audi A1 e-tron. The Japanese automaker imagines that electric cars will be the commuter cars of the future and the Mazda 2 is the first step in building their EV knowledge.
Kia Pop
The Kia POP concept is being hailed as a glimpse of the future for EVs. With its chrome coloured body, pill shaped side windows, gullwing style doors and transparent dash it certainly looks futuristic! Powered by a 68 PS/190 Nm electric motor and a 18kwh lithium polymer gel battery the Kia POP has an impressive 100 mile range.
Chief designer at Kia Europe, Gregory Guillaume has said: "I have this vision in my head of a POP sat at the lights at a busy Paris intersection with all these Vespa riders waiting alongside, noisily revving their engines. Then, when the lights go green, the POP just serenely moves off without a sound."
Although there are currently no plans to put the POP into production it's likely it will inspire a future look for the Japanese car manufacturer.
Ford Focus Electric
According to Auto Trader the Ford Focus is Britain's most discussed car, and the new Ford Focus Electric has certainly set a few tongues wagging across the globe. The electric model of Ford's popular hatchback is described by the brand as a completely maintenance free car. And with a full charging time of around three to four hours at home with 240 volt home charging station it's certainly a more viable option than many other current EVs, which can take eight hours to charge fully. The Focus Electric is the flagship of the British manufacturers' new family of electric powered vehicles, and is due to be launched in North America late 2011 and rolled out across Europe in 2013.
Questions and Answers
The Ford KA: This funky little supermini cause a real stir when it was first released in 1996. In 2008 the KA received a major facelift bringing it in line with its Ford family face. The KA may be compact but it still has plenty of room for a comfortable journey inside. And its stylish good looks will ensure you get a second glance from passers by.
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Mazda London dealers are your prime resource for everything concerning Mazda.The Japanese carmaker is poised
In mild of demand seasoned for electric autos Ford has dedicated to introduce five complete-electric and hybrid versions in Europe by 2013, this is component of Ford's international "electrification" technique. Models include the Transit Connect Electric in 2011, the subsequent era Ford Focus Electrical in 2012, adopted by hybrid and plug-in hybrid derivatives of the all-new C-MAX and one more hybrid-electrical model in 2013. Ford showed off two of its gentle industrial vans at the ...
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