I have vague plans in my head to build an electric car on a sand-buggy chassis. Covered with Ceconite for enclosure (an aircraft cover fabric), and with a good crash-cage, it could weigh-in under 1000 pounds and be a daily driver. Right-sizing is of course the biggest factor. The real “most important aspect” of making efficient electric vehicles a reality is first making efficient vehicles the American paradigm. A single, 180-pound man commuting 30 miles to work in a 4500 pound vehicle is just crazy.

I’ve also considered converting my Shay Roadster to electric power, and making the car-cruise circuit with it in the summer.

I have a 16 mile through-the-neighborhoods route that I use for the commute to school on my bicycle. It’s great, getting to ride an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon… but I don’t always have two hours to spend on the commute. Commuting on an electric “bike” that can keep up at highway speeds really does have serious appeal…

wtk

Yes, you make a good point. Even with EV’s all the same basic benefits exist for building an efficient vehicle – light weight and aerodynamic being two key aspects. Those both have the same effect of reducing energy needed which, in turn, reduces charge time. Confession time: as, I’m sure you know, unfortunately motorcycle’s and motor-scooters are not terribly aerodynamic – but we’re working on that area as well.

I love your comparison: “To think of it another way, just the charging losses for an SUV-sized electric car would fully power a Current motorcycle.”

One really needs to think about “right-sizing” their vehicle to the task at hand. I like to use the comparison that you need the right tool for the job: I try and tell people: keep the pick-up for trips to the hardware store or towing the boat or whatever weekend pursuit you follow. But commute on a Current C1x…

To think of it another way, just the charging losses for an SUV-sized electric car would fully power a Current motorcycle.

Of course, a full charge every time is not necessary, you only need enough to get you home, I suppose. There again, light weight remains an important advantage. It will definitely be an interesting next decade in the transportation sector.

wtk

You make a good point, although I don’t think I’d go so far as to say “no universal plug = no infrastructure = no electric cars”.

However, there are two simple answers to your concern:

1) Our bikes today use what is a national standard in the US – a regular 110V household outlet.

2) The industry is working on SAE J1772 to address the exact concerns you mention (see here for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772) At Current Motor we will be adding support for J1772 Level 1 charging in the near future (while also keeping our 110V standard plug so that customers don’t have to invest in infrastructure to charge at home).

Once a common plug is accepted and adopted by several countries, the infrastructure can begin to be constructed. No universal plug = no infrastructure = no electric cars.

If you are producing a great electric motorcycle, the next step is to begin making an electric car, This is an issue for your company to take a serious lead in promoting.