Electric Vehicles in Depth, Part II: NmG, An EV for the Rest of Us
(Read part one of this article here)
George Clooney recently bought an electric vehicle for $108K. The vehicle, a Tango, is good for freeway speeds and stout 0-60 times. But what about the rest of us who dine at restaurants with signs that tout "4 billion served" rather than 4 stars? Can we only dream about owning an EV with that kind of performance? Take heart, prospective electric vehicle owners. Myers Motors of Tallmadge, Ohio has turned that dream into an EV you can afford.
The Myers Motors answer to an EV enthusiast's prayer is the NmG (No More Gas). This high-tech marvel whizzes along on three wheels, 500+ lbs. of batteries, and a torquey electric motor. Unlike the seemingly endless parade of tempting prototype electric vehicles powered by fuel cells, this little EV is being produced right now - not 5 years from now. You can pick up the phone and order one today, not mañana. Best of all, it doesn't cost $108K. I saw it, touched it, smelled it and heard it - a pleasant, space age, whiny sort of hum. Eerie. Heck, I even drove it and talked face-to-face with the president of the company.
After I concluded my interview with Dana Myers, CEO of Myers Motors, he asked me rather off-handedly if I'd like to drive one. I feigned mild interest. What I really wanted to say was "Geez, are you kidding. Here, take my first-born. Just chuck me the keys!" One minute into the test drive, I realize this ain't no golf cart. The NmG I drove that day may be titled, licensed, and insured as a motorcycle, but it accelerates like a muscle car. Or maybe it just feels that way because you're so close to ground. Regardless, it's one fun ride. Maneuverability and handling are off the charts. Parking? You could park it on your front porch if you could get up the steps. Promotional potential? Slap your company logo on an NmG and your whole town will be talking about your business. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How in the name of Alessandro Volta did a California-designed EV make its way to Akron, Ohio?
Take These Bankrupt Wings and Learn to Fly
Savvy readers may recognize the NmG as a remake of the late, lamented Corbin Motors Sparrow EV (more on that below). "Lamented" because a variety of electronic and mechanical ills in early Sparrow EVs plus financial woes forced Corbin Motors into bankruptcy in 2003 after 285 vehicles were produced. This orphaned an active, dedicated, and vocal group of Sparrow owners. Enter Dana Myers, kind of an EV version of Lee Iacocca, the guy who turned around Chrysler when it was teetering on the edge of the abyss in pre-DaimlerChrysler days. Myers saw potential in the broken and battered reputation of the little EV and resolved to buy up the remaining inventory and assets of Corbin Motors and nurse the Sparrow back into the air. The sale was completed in 2004. Myers saw his mission as not merely to resurrect the Sparrow, but to remodel it. He sagely asserted, "It's easier and cheaper to improve upon an existing design, than to start from scratch."
Unlike most movie sequels, this remake of the Sparrow is WAY better than the original. As Myers tells the story from the vantage point of May 2006, "We sold a couple of vehicles, then we needed to bring them back because we discovered things that still weren't proper. We decided to go over the vehicle from top to bottom and get it right. It took us 18 months to do it, but the NmGs we've sold since then are doing beautifully." Here's a partial list of Myers Motors' re-engineering efforts:
- Eliminated radio interference
- Modified the motor
- Switched to a "Zilla" controller (the most respected name in the industry)
- Improved the fit and finish overall, especially around doors and windshield
- Optimized the charging algorithm of Zivan charger to prevent overheating batteries
- Included a "pulse charge" at end of charge cycle to reduce sulfation of batteries
- Included a 25 mile battery break-in before leaving the factory
- Had batteries checked for equal charge to eliminate weak cells that would reduce battery life
- Limited amp draw on the road to 300 amps to improve longevity of batteries.
The NmG Prequel - Development of the Sparrow
The original concept of the Corbin Sparrow EV, the NmGs predecessor, was solid: reduce body mass, reduce rolling resistance and pare aerodynamic drag down to a bare minimum without compromising safety. Working as a team, these measures give an electric drive train a fighting chance at good performance. It's simple physics: less mass and wind resistance = quicker acceleration and better range.
The Sparrow was the brainchild of Mike Corbin, a longtime motorcycle fanatic, inventor, and designer. In 1974, Mike set a land speed record of 165.367 mph on a custom built electric motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It is a speed record in that class that stands to this day. Corbin is a household word to anyone who owns a hog - as in Harley. The company is closely associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles, and Corbin is the largest aftermarket motorcycle seat manufacturer in the world. Corbin sponsors a program on the Speed channel, "Corbin's Ride On", and even has published a biography (for sale on the Corbin website). The first Sparrow built, a yellow Alpha Sparrow, was unveiled at the San Francisco Auto Show on April 1, 1996. It was a huge hit and orders started to come in even though production had yet to begin.
I first heard about the Corbin Sparrow in a February 1997 issue of "Current Events" (catchy title), the newsletter of the Electric Auto Association. Mike Corbin was quoted in that issue as saying, "The Sparrow is a niche vehicle designed for commuters. We're not trying to replace the family car". At that time, I owned an electric vehicle. No, not that swoopy, EV1 from General Motors (now the E85 people). I drove a (wait for it) Lectric Leopard. How geek squad can you get? That's a story for another time. Suffice it to say for now, it was a Renault "LeCar" (an "R5" in Europe) that had its internal combustion engine guts unceremoniously yanked out and replaced with a Baldor electric motor and Exide batteries. With 1980's electronics, it performed like a 1920's model T. I measured 0-60 times in minutes rather than seconds. I never got a speeding ticket although I did get a ticket for ignoring a stop sign once. The performance specs of the Sparrow were Ferrari-like in comparison. I lusted in my heart for one so I sent in my $1,000 deposit for vehicle number 25 of the yet-to-be-manufactured Sparrow's first production run. I have the VISA receipt to prove I ain't just blowing smoke up your electrode. I talked several times with Mike's son, Tom, while patiently waiting for my Sparrow to arrive. After waiting patiently for a year and wading patiently through a string of broken promises (e.g. "They'll be rolling out next month."), I got my deposit back. The first Sparrows touched down about a year after that. Talk about a long gestation period. If you're interested, there is a private website, CorbinSparrow, (not affiliated or sanctioned by the company) with more details about the history of the Sparrow.
Fast Forward to Myers Motors
So the NmG (No More Gas) is a much-improved Sparrow. I guess the NmG moniker had more appeal than BTS (Better Than Sparrow). The Myers Motors product benefits from all the Corbin research and development plus real road experience gained by owners of the Sparrow EV. Corbin reputedly spent $10-$15 million on development. Myers Motors has certainly upped the ante by several million more. In the end, it's the NmG owner who reaps the benefits. The NmG is a mature and well-developed electric vehicle since this is essentially the fourth year of production. I won't bore you with too much detail, but here are a few key points:
• All-weather driving, fully enclosed and heated interior • heater, power windows, CD player • Single passenger • 3 wheels • disc brakes • 30 mile range • Built-in charger for pack of 13 Optima Blue Top batteries • 6 cubic feet of luggage space (about 1 grocery cart's worth) • 112 inches long, 52 inches wide, 57 inches high • 70-75 mph top speed • 0-30 in less than 3.5 seconds • weighs 1,400 lbs. • cost $24,900
Here is the most interesting specification. A gasoline vehicle that gets 40 mpg (think Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic Hybrid) costs 7.5 cents per mile in fuel when gas is $3 a gallon. The NmGs charging costs are an unbelievable penny per mile at typical utility rates (6 cents per kilowatt hour)! Take that, hybrid hypesters. Even a so-called plug-in hybrid getting an effective 120 mpg would still be more than twice as costly as the NmG to fuel. Impressive.How About You?
Would you be happy with an NmG? If you want to: promote your business, stick it to the evil petroleum empire, like the convenience of home "refueling", need to commute about 20 miles or less to work (and you have access to a 110V outlet at work to recharge), want to use the HOV lane on the freeway, already own a second car suitable for long trips or heavy hauling, value the environmental benefits of a zero-emissions vehicle, travel alone for most of your local driving, would enjoy the fun and adventure of a unique niche vehicle, then the NmG from Myers Motors is your electronic ticket. Plug-and-play, baby. It will put a smile on your face, a patriotic flag in your hand and breathing room in your fuel budget.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
andrew 2:57PM (6/15/2006)
13 optima batteries and it only has a 30 mile range?? i would expect at least twice that.
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Tim Lottridge 3:01PM (6/15/2006)
Electric vehicles are much more costly both to purchase, and to operate than next class up gas or diesel vehicles, period.
I'll take your example of comparing a Toyota Corolla to the NmG. A new Toyota Carolla costs about $15,000. The Corolla costs about 8.5 cents/mile at 35 mpg combined city/hwy and $3 gas.
A new NmG costs about $25,000. Electricity costs about 2 cents/mile. BUT, the battery packs last up to about 7500 miles. 13 Optima Blue batters @ $170/each cost $2210. Add a couple of hours of labor for install and we're talking $2500 to replace the batteries every 7500 miles! This works out to 33 cents/mile. Add back in the 2 cents/mile for electricity and we're talking 35 cents/mile. That's over 400% more in per mile costs plus $10,000 more for the vehicle. That's a fuel efficiency equivalent of about 9 miles per gallon. I'm not even taking into account the first 50 cycles (2+ months of commuting) where the batteries need to break in and your range and acceleration are limited. After those 50 cycles, the batteries slowly degrade until they need to be replaced. (I'm getting all this info from the Myers website).
I love the idea of electric vehicles and hey, if you can afford the equivalent of $12/gallon gas and pay $10,000 more for a new vehicle that has a range of 20-40 miles (after the first 50 uses) and needs several hours of downtime between charges, I say go for it!
Really, I'm not being sarcastic. I'm saying do it if you can afford it. I know that I'm not willing to pay that much. What do I drive you ask? A purchased used ($3000) 1997 VW Passat TDI wagon that gets 40 mpg city, 55 mpg hwy on 99% biodiesel @ $3 gallon.
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MikeinNC 4:35PM (6/15/2006)
You have a point Tim. What we need: An electric vehicle that costs under 15k, has a range of 70 miles (covers about 95% of all daily commutes), a top speed of about 70 mph (this is a little negotiable) and can be driven in all weather. It also has to carry at least 2 people and have cargo room for a full basket of groceries. Oh, and battery life of about 100k miles.
This is all headed in the right direction though. you gotta walk before you can run.
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Peter 7:50AM (6/16/2006)
I couldn't find the battery life. Where is that?
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RichC 9:15AM (6/16/2006)
I enjoyed the follow up article, but as usual come away with the 'not ready for prime time' feeling when I read 30 miles per charge for a vehicle that carries one person and cost $25K.
Its not to say that I'm against EVs ... just that we still have a long way to go before two car families can consider EVs over hybrids or bio-powered ICE vehicles.
Thanks for part-two Ray.
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William 10:35AM (6/16/2006)
I do like the idea of an electric commuter vehicle that I can simply plug in at night. The 30-mile range would suit my present needs, but the initial price tag is at least twice (more like 3 times) what I would be willing to pay, and I want batteries that last 30K miles, minimum.
The problem with the price of electric vehicles has to do with economies of scale- the price won't come down until the production volume is a lot higher- at least 10,000 units per year, maybe more. Ford/D-Ch/GM won't keep a vehicle in production unless they can sell 40,000 per year.
I suppose I could find a cheaper commuter vehicle than the "beater" I now drive, but I seriously doubt it- 1983 Ford Crown Vic that I bought from a church "car ministry" program for $100 (nobody else wanted it, it's "too big") plus another $200 in repairs (power steering pump), gets 20+ mpg if I don't use the AC (it actually gets better in-town mileage than my last car, a 1989 Chev Cavalier). My biggest car expense is insurance.
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Tim 11:17AM (6/16/2006)
Peter, battery life info is in the manual.
http://www.myersmotors.com/manual/SmartManual/SmartManual/Manual/Proc6062.htm
A 7500 mile battery life is my estimate based on their charts. The batteries could last longer or shorter depending on driving style, how far one goes between charges, and weather/temperature. According to their charts, to get the best battery life one should drive until the batteries are 60% discharged in 77 degree or higher weather (no air conditioning), then charge the batteries to full capacity. I suppose a 9 mile each way commute would be about perfect based on an average 30 mile battery capacity. Charge when you get home and according to their tips, "Check your NmG 30 minutes after plugging into the electrical outlet to ensure that it is still charging and that the circuit has not tripped."
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Abraham 11:32AM (6/16/2006)
Utility rates are now closer to 0.16 and are increasing at least 10% a year.
I drive close to 17mi to work, but have nowhere to recharge. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a vehicle that got less that 50mi range (thats with AC).
No AC no deal.
Keep the work up.
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Peter 12:28PM (6/16/2006)
Thanks I didn't notice the link to the manual. Yep that sucks royally. I also noticed that you dont' really save much life by charging sooner, from their own example:
"For example, if you regularly commute 15-17 miles to work and then another 15--17 miles to return home, you discharge your battery pack 80 to 90 percent. You can expect to replace your battery pack after 200-250 cycles. On the other hand, if you recharge your battery pack when you arrive at work, after the 15-17-mile commute, you can expect your battery pack to last twice as long, or 500 cycles."
500 cycles at 15 miles = 7500 miles
200-250 cycles at 30 miles = 6000 to 7500 miles.
Twice the cycles is nothing to rave about if you are getting half the range on each cycle.
You are right, this is pretty bad.
I am thinking we are better off having an ICE that burns hyrdrogen. It won't have to be replaced once/year. You could make hydrogen at home until the full infrastructure is in place to fuel up and it would b sort of equivalent to an EV. Ultra low emissions, no carbon.
Maybe Ultra Capacitors will get somewhere in the next 5 years...
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Devilstower 2:08PM (6/16/2006)
The second part of the manual isn't too clear. Expected life with 50% discharge is closer to 15,000 miles.
Still, that's not close to what could be had with some of the new rechargeable lithiums. They should get through that 15,000 mile limit and still have about 80% of original capacity, and hit more like 40,000 miles before they're only holding half the original charge.
Now, if we could just get someone who could order these things in enough quantity to make them affordable...
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Phil L. 4:20PM (6/16/2006)
Tim -
Thanks for the extra battery life info.
Wow - I knew battery life could be a big issue, but didn't realize just how limited it can be.
My current commute would be ideal for an electric vehicle. Though I poke through eBay looking at old Solectrica's (based on the Geo Metro) and the odd converted Escort, etc., I just haven't been able to come up with anything that makes sense for my situation and budget.
Meanwhile, I really miss the Ford Th!nk City (not the golf cart; the Th!nk City began life as the Pivco Bee). That had real potential for changing the US EV market, but got dropped when all of the California ZEV lawsuits hit.
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Dave Narby 4:46PM (6/16/2006)
These ROI arguments are spurious. They start from a misleading position - which is:
Why use prohibitively expensive Optima batteries?
Heck, you can buy a generic car battery for $50.00. Look for them on sale and you can get 'em closer to $40.00.
Do some searching and you might find that you pay less for amp hours using motorcycle or golf-cart batteries.
Throw some Battery Equalizer in them and don't discharge them so totally flat, and you'll get years and years out of them.
If you want to be unscrupulous, you can get one for a few bucks more with a 24 month replacement guarantee.
Notice how much room there was in the back of that buggy? Put some stiffer springs on it and throw a few more batteries in if you don't have enough range.
Either that, or toss a portable generator in there, and set it to start up if the voltage drops below 10V. You'll get way more MPGs than a hybrid because the little generator is more efficient - this is because ICEs most efficient when running at WOT.
The main cost in EVs it having to build one from scratch, it's much more expensive to do a custom one-off than 10,000 off an assembly line.
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Ken 7:15PM (6/16/2006)
I think Meyers is being conservative in their estimates so they don't get a lot of unhappy owners wanting to return their NMg's. I have a Corbin Sparrow and sometimes drive it 23 miles to work. When I arrive, my E-meter still shows between 52 and 57 percent available. That is driving mostly surface streets and occationally some freeway. Surface street speeds averages range from 30 to 50 mph. If my numbers are right, that figures above 30 mile range and closer to 35 if I don't go below 30 percent available on the batteries. I can recharge while at work. I also have a Toyota Prius and when just driving around home on errands I almost alway drive the Sparrow even if it means moving the Prius to get the Sparrow out of the garage. Much more fun, and I really enjoy keeping every dollar I can from the oil companies.
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Tim 8:12PM (6/16/2006)
Phil, how do you come up with 15,000 miles battery life with 50% discharge? 50% discharge on 30 miles would be about 15 miles. The battery life in the chart shows 500 cycles (charges) when 50% discharged. 15 miles * 500 charges = 7500 miles. The FAQ says, "How far will my fully energized NmG take me? As far as you want to go … as long it is not farther than 25 to 30 miles." Even if we say that 30 miles is only 80% discharged, then 100% discharged would be 37.5 miles, so 50% discharged would be 18.75 miles. 18.75 miles * 500 cycles = 9375 miles battery life, which is no where close to 15,000 miles. A 9375 mile battery life appears quite generious after reading this in the manual, "For example, if you regularly commute 15-17 miles to work and then another 15--17 miles to return home, you discharge your battery pack 80 to 90 percent. You can expect to replace your battery pack after 200-250 cycles." 34 miles * 200 cycles = 6800 miles battery life. 30 miles * 250 cycles = 7500 miles battery life.
Dave, the Optima batteries were chosen over conventional car batteries because (among other reasons) they can't spill, which is a great safety feature, and they are deep cycle batteries unlike your car battery. Automotive batteries will generally fail after 30-150 deep cycles if deep cycled, while they may last for thousands of cycles in normal starting use (2-5% discharge). Deep cycle batteries are designed to handle deep discharges and recharges.
Also, the batteries in the NmG are wired in series, not parallel. 13 batteries * 12 volts = 156 volt system. This means you can't just hook up a few more batteries to increase your range.
I've thought of putting a portable diesel generator in the back of an EV and running on biodiesel. I wonder if the NmG will drive while being charged. I just looked up a high efficiency 10 hp generator, which couldn't even run the NmG by itself and it uses 2 gallons/hour. At 60 mph, that's only 30 mpg, so you are still better off with a new Jetta TDI ($21,605 base) on biodiesel or a less "green" Corolla. Having the generator fire up when the battery volts drop to a certain level such as 25% discharged may gain you distance, but it wouldn't extend the battery life any (25% discharged = 7.5 miles. 7.5 miles * 1000 cycles = 7500 miles) and now you are paying 10 cents/minute in fuel when the generator is running, plus you're out another $5000 for the generator.
It's all interesting and fun to think about, but EV technology isn't ready for the masses.
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Bill Gregg 7:39PM (6/18/2006)
What we need is a car that takes us 50 miles on electricity and then is able to switch to a regularly fueled engine, run on gas or ethanol, or diesel. This would give us the 300 miles+ range we need, but for most of us who don't drive 50 miles a day we will NEVER be using that fuel! It will just be there in case we need it or have long trips.
The problem is that even this 50 mile range battery needs to be cheap, long lasting, safe, and powerful....
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RichC 6:04PM (6/24/2006)
I think we'll see some fuel cell technology soon ... and that might just might restart the 'all-electric' car business again. Great comments everyone.
PS. Met with Dana Myers last week and had a terrific tour and test drive. Since the only EV I've driven has been a golf cart, I was shock when it screech its tires on its way up to 50mph like a crotchrocket! Its a fun little attention getter.
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Rob Neighbour 1:30PM (7/08/2006)
Folks, don't expect fuel cells for about 20 years. Politicians, not just scientists, are saying that. However, there IS better battery technology out there- NiMH, and many different formulations of Lithium Ion(which is probably the battery you're using on your cel phone and laptop). Toyota Rav-4EVs, a few of which are in private hands, have exceeded 100k miles on their NiMH battery packs. Problem is the cost of the packs. I have a converted Fiero, that goes 45 miles in commute, and to 70% discharge. On the freeway. At 65-70 mph. And, the batteries are 5 years old. (Old fashioned Trojan lead acid deep cycle 6 volts). So, take Tim with a grain of sand. He's been posting his "Jetta Diesel" mantra for years now, and in general, ticking people off. Why he is so rabid is anyone's guess. It seems to be his hobby. Point is, he makes some good points too on pack life. For me, EVs work, and work NOW. The NmG is a GREAT vehicle, and it's here now. EVs ARE an alternative. Know their limits, and you'll smile every time you drive one. And, that smile will last a long, long time.
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Mike Conrad 8:18PM (7/09/2006)
Good discussion, guys. I'm left with the idea that we should focus on what's already out there, for now anyway. Diesel and Hybrid offerings which could offer even better mileage were it not for the American obsession with acceleration times.
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Milton Adams 8:42PM (7/09/2006)
A company named EVADER now make fully electric motor scooters capable of speeds and distances which are quite desireable. There website is www.Evader.USA, Take a look and they have incorporated power management inot their bikes, which I don't understand but some of you may. Quite an interesting expedition.
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BILL DIDONATO 8:44PM (7/09/2006)
FOR THE NEWEST IN BATTERIES CHECK OUT AIRTAIR NANO TECHNONIGIES. THEY HAVE THE MOST IMPROVED BATTERY SOON COMING TO MARKET. WITH A RANGE OF 300 MILES AND A RECHARGE TIME IN MINUTES. SOON TO BE PLACED IN ELECTRIC CARS IN CALIF. THE BATTERIES ARE ALSO NON EXPLOSIVE AND SAFE FOR THE ENVIRE.
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