Replacing Oil

Here are 2 electric vehicles on display at the 81st International Motor Show in Geneva that ought to shatter your stereotype of electric cars.

When I get away from the computer and meet real people, eventually the conversation turns to what I do with my time. When I tell the average person I write about electric vehicles they usually shake their heads and dismiss the idea. Small, slow, expensive, and impractical are the most common words I hear when talking about electric vehicles. Here are a 2 EVs that ought to shatter those myths.

Front end of the LAMPO2 from Protoscar

Slow is the the last word you’ll hear to describe the LAMPO2 from Protoscar. This fast as hell electric car has two electric motors that act independantly on the front and rear axle. The twin electric powerhouses delivers 300 kW (about 408 hp) and 64o Nm (about 470 ft lbs) of torque. It has a 200 km/hr (about 125 mph) maximum speed.

More than just speed and style, the LAMPO2 also features 4 different charging modes a standard single-phase with an on board charger for typical overnight home-charge, a “control-pilot” equipped single-phase on board charger typical for public charging, a standard three-phase on board charger typical for charging at industrial plugs (fleet-owners) and an interface for DC fast charging, where up to 100 km of additional range can be charged within just 10 minutes, by an off-board system.

If you happen to be in Geneva for the International Motor Show, the LAMPO2 is one of about a dozen electric vehicles available for a test drive in the Essais Verts section and take it for a spin yourself for yourself.

Not in Switzerland? Enjoy the photo gallery and video at the bottom of this post.

Source [Protoscar]

The Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E. – A Cargo Van That’s Cheap To Buy And Cheaper To Operate

Renault Kangoo Maxi Express Z.E. 5 seat/Cargo Van

With full size five-seater version of the Kangoo Maxi Z.E. comes with a modest price tag of just 22,000 Euros or about $35,000. With a small 44 kW (about 60 hp) motor this cargo van won’t get you anywhere fast, but it won’t cost you much to get there. Charge the lithium-ion battery overnight for a few dollars and drive about 170 km (about 105 miles). You don’t need to get out the calculator to see that this cargo van will save you at least $100 a month at the pump.

The Kangoo Maxi Z.E. by Renault is a five seat crew van is capable of four different interior layouts. If you want cargo space, the rear benchseat folds into the floor to produce a flat deck. With the rear seat stowed away the Kangoo Maxi Z.E. has a carrying capacity of about to 4.6 m3 (about 162 cu ft) making it about two-thirds the size of a GMC Savana. With a height of just 1.8 meters (less than 6 feet) it’s capable of clearing the lowest overhangs and entrances.

Source [Renault]

As promised here’s a slick video of the LAMPO2. Prepare to drool.