FVEAA Forums
News => EV News => Topic started by: craig.dusing on December 18, 2007, 10:28:06 PM
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Don't know if this has been posted or discussed before, but I just saw this article on MSN regarding Mini Cooper EV's converted by Hybrid Technologies to be sold at WalMart in 2008. Not sure I understood the price point; either I'm having a brain fade or there's conflicting pricing information in the article.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=440939
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Here is the link to the web page for Hybrid Technologies. You can order the electric mini-cooper. Starting price is $65k. A little steep for probably all of the club members.
However, are these guys for real?
Rich Carroll - what do you think?
http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/
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You're right, Craig, the article is not as clear as it could be. However, I think the answer is contained there upon careful reading. They are, in fact, going to sell the Mini Cooper version for about $65,000. This is a brand-new MC that HT strips the ICE out of and replaces the drivetrain with LiIon battery/EV drive.
They are planning a $35,000 BEV version of the smart FourTwo. The article explains how they have a deal with smart to get 'coasters' with no ICE and, I believe, herein lies the large cost savings reflected in the price.
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Months ago I found out that the Smart will be sold in the US (I saw a yellow one in Oak Park yesterday) and an EV version will be available in Europe. I wonder why somebody's converting a new glider to EV since there's a factory version EV.
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I didn't find the website where I contacted the manufacturer/distributor and offered to test & evaluate one of the EVs. The car does exist.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07/09/technical-details-on-the-smart-fortwo-electric-drive/
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/smart/2007-smart-fortwo-electric-vehicle-ar11018.html