Building electric cars will come with its own set of challenges - but then, in other ways things are going to get a whole lot easier. With plenty of battery technology available pretty much off-the-shelf, and electric motors being incredibly simple compared with their combustion counterparts, there's not a lot stopping small, independent operators from building fun electrics and getting them to market as soon as they're approved for sale. And such is the case with the ECOS Harbinger - which truly could foretell a bit of a small-business revolution in electric sportscars. US$89,995 will buy you a 120mph, 150-mile per charge, 6 second electric supercar with Lambo-style looks and scissor doors to boot. Nice!
ECOS have built their reputation in recent years by offering fully electric rebirthing of old Volkswagens - bring in an old clunker without too much rust on it, and for around US$12,500, you can walk away with a simple electric commuter.
Of course, while simple and practical EVs are doubtless going to be the biggest sellers in the electric car revolution, there's nothing like a sportscar model to drum up a bit of enthusiasm - and that's where the Harbinger comes in.
It features an aluminium chassis, with a carbon/kevlar composite one-piece bodykit shaped to evoke an Italian supercar. Lambo-style scissor doors complete the look, but the heart of the beast is a 30kwh LiFePO4 battery pack and electric motor good for sub-6 second 0-60 times, a 117mph, electronically limited top speed, and a range of 150+ miles if you drive it like a granny.
In many ways the Harbinger seems like a very simple automobile - it looks great, performs pretty well and looks like a hoot to drive. Its US$90,000 price tag puts it far enough out of most folks' reach to be exclusive, and its Euro looks and electric-drill-meets-turbine engine sound will make it a surefire head-turner wherever it goes.
It goes on sale in Feb 2010 - although pre-orders are now being taken directly through ECOS. Here's hoping we see plenty more small-scale electric fun-mobiles in the near future!
Via Autoblog Green.
