AutoblogGreen video: eBox test drive
I took a test drive in the eBox yesterday at an event for electric cars in Washington. The eBox is a Scion xB (you either love it or hate it) converted to run on electricity. I write about electric cars every day but I have to admit, it shocked me how quiet it was. I know it's cliché but it's really quiet! There is no sound at all and when it starts to move, I assumed it was rolling down hill or someone was pushing it. It's that quiet. AC Propulsion, the people behind the eBox conversion, is talking to seven companies to give them gliders (car without the engine and junk) so the conversions can be a lot cheaper.
BTW, I think the Scion xB is a great looking car.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chris 10:47AM (9/20/2007)
any figures on the range per charge? speed? weight? kind of batteries? when/where it'll be available? at what price? thanks.
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Lascelles Linton 12:01PM (9/20/2007)
Chris,
http://www.acpropulsion.com/ebox/pricing.htm
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yabun 1:42PM (9/20/2007)
I love hearing about companies (like AC Propulsion) working to make good electric cars available to consumers. Then I found out before the eBox is even available that Toyota has redesigned the xB, making it 600 lbs heavier (25% heavier). Why?? Who knows. Was the gas mileage too good?
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GoodCheer 6:39PM (9/20/2007)
The eBox has been available since Feb., which is not a lot of time. At the same time, I doubt that the new generation of Scion Xb will prevent people from buying them 2nd hand to have them converted. If I were to get one built I would certainly try to save myself a few thousand and get a lightly used one (maybe luck out and find one with an engine that's blown up, though that's unlikely with Toyota).
I actually saw an eBox roll by me here in Delaware a couple days ago. The only thing to distinguish it from the Scion is a AC symbol on the trunk door, and the fact that you can't hear it. I got all excited.
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GoodCheer 6:43PM (9/20/2007)
I'm also interested to hear about what rolling chassis they can come up with. That would also be a good way to lower the price a bit (I would think), while still getting a new car.
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TIMMAH! 1:30AM (9/21/2007)
Yeow! $55K + the cost of supplied Scion xB. Wow for $10K you could have a Tesla. Hmmm...
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RemyC 6:33PM (9/25/2007)
The eBox is AC Propulsion, who Tango, Tesla and Fetish license their drive train technology from, so it's no surprise they are building little gems here... If you want to see more, there's a good video of its intro to the LA green scene last year posted on www.thebox66.com and an interview with the engineer behind the eBox, Tom Gage, towards the end of my www.toaster66.com documentary.
Rem
Electrifying Times
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