Miles Automotive in the 2007 NEV market
Another company adding to the US neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) market with new models is Miles Automotive. NEVs are plug-in electric vehicles that are limited to a top speed of 25 mph and are exempted from many of the regulations that apply to other vehicles. Most of the NEVs available so far have been more like golf carts than what most people would call "real cars." The four door Miles ZX40 has the tall wagon look of many Japanese-market Kei-class cars, and is available in two- and four-seat configurations.
The base version is quoted as having a range of 40-50 miles from its four lead acid batteries while the ZX40S adds two more batteries and bumps the range to 60-70 miles. According to the specs for the base model, if you drive an average of 10 miles per charge cycle with a 20 percent discharge of the battery pack, it should be good for about 2,300 cycles or 23,000 miles. As the trip average increases to 25 miles, the number of cycles drops to 700 with a total of 17,500 miles before a new battery pack is needed. The ZX40 is built in China by Beijing JATO Machine & Electric Manufacture Corp. The screaming 8.45 hp motor will take you from 0-18.6 mph in a mere 3 seconds if you opt for the S model. If you cheap out, the base model will take a more leisurely 11.9 seconds for the same trip.
No price information is available at the web site although I've contacted a dealer to find out. Miles is also planning new higher speed models within the next eighteen months. Read more ABG coverage on Mile Automotive:
[Source: Miles Automotive - thanks to Gary for the tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Russ 7:13PM (3/08/2008)
It lookeed good until I read "made in China"
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Tony 3:40PM (7/21/2008)
MilesEv is introducing its 80mph vehicle in 2009, be patient... it will go 125 miles in a single charge, and will cost in the range of 35-39k... I am waiting for this... if you can afford to pay $45k and are in a hurry then buy the Phoenix Motor Car, its available now, this one charges up to 80% in 10 minutes and goes farther then the MilesEV..
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Andy 11:56PM (1/16/2007)
Would never catch on in the United States. They would make sense for people living in densely populated metro areas, but buyers want cars that can go above what they need in commuting. 25 mph is not that. Why can't we have more electric cars like the RAV4 EV?
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James 9:37PM (6/10/2007)
I need an electric car that will go 75mph, I have to drive on the freeway, make it under 15K I`ll buy it today !!!
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