Fastest electric car

[AndrewNR]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/detroit-electric-unveils-the-worlds-fastest-electric-car#image=1

On paper the performance is 'electric' but what do you guys reckon this would:
- be like to drive
- and how many more years until cars like this cost £50,000 not £90,000

The car does 0-62 in 3.7 and has a top speed of 155. It costs £90,000 and takes 4.3 hours to charge providing a range of 190 miles (about what I do in 2 weeks).

Surely within the next decade or two lesser performance orientated electric cars will be mainstream? Or has battery technology reached its peak?

 

[Lashout_UK]

What's most interesting about the SP:01 is that it has a manual gearbox...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/detroit-electric-sp01-sports-car-unveiled

 

[Stephen B]

I'm thinking the expected range will be hugely affected by the British climate

cold mornings with heater and demisters etc

but yes, it looks promising as a viable alternative in a decade

 

[Fourstar]

What's most interesting about the SP:01 is that it has a manual gearbox...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/detroit-electric-sp01-sports-car-unveiled

Also interesting is that the Tesla Roadster was originally intended to have 2 gears but they dropped the plan due to technical difficulties. See here.

I wonder what the tradeoffs of this "conventional" layout vs hub mounted motors are. I'm sure development cost is one.

 

[Fourstar]

I had a little read and it appears hub motors are problematic in that they add to unsprung weight and their reliability is questionable. Their position meaning they have to be crammed into a small space while also withstanding all the dirt, dust and every bone crushing impact from our potholed roads. The issue of thieves stealing them was also raised!

Here is a Motorsport focused article on matter:
www.emotorsportnews.com/technology/2011/06/using-hub-motors-for-electric-race-cars/

 

[godinman]

Surprised it has gears at all tbh, I thought electric motors just had full power across their entire range.

Shame really, it'd be awesome to just be able to plant your foot up to 155mph with just an ever increasing whine.

 

[bitslice]

Shame really, it'd be awesome to just be able to plant your foot up to 155mph with just an ever increasing whine.

I'll introduce you to an ex of mine if you like

 

[paradigm]

As soon as "supercapacitors" are both large enough capacity, and mainstream, electric cars will make far more sense.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

They won't though will they, energy capacity is manitudes out over battery tech.
They make more sense for hybrids.

Gearbox is always good. That car won't do 0-60 in 3.6 and 155mph if it was single speed. You are also able to run more efficient cruise by getting the motor speed and power electronics optimised.

 

[unrealrocks]

I'm thinking the expected range will be hugely affected by the British climate

cold mornings with heater and demisters etc

but yes, it looks promising as a viable alternative in a decade

TBH its not as bad as you think, I ran one of the Smart prototypes for 12 months and it only really affected range when it was sub 0C as it killed the batteries themselves rather than things like heaters/lights.

Really can't wait for electric sports cars to become affordable ... the torque is like nothing else

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Which Smart? The sodi Nickel Zebra ones had more than enough provision for cabin heat

 

[unrealrocks]

It was a 2011 Smart 451 ED road trial (although I had it from mid 2010 - was the second UK registered one), had an earlier revision Zytek system to some of the later trial cars.

I ran it as my daily for almost a year and it was a really interesting experience - was ideal for my 40-45mile daily round trip.