Luxury Electric announces full size electric car trans-continental trip at DNC
A while back we somewhat cynically informed you of an Acura TL converted to all-electric that was being made available for the low low price of *cough $185,000. It seems no one took advantage of the offer but that has turned out to be a good thing for Luxury Electric A.K.A. Potential Difference, the company behind the vehicle. Why? Because today, at the Democratic National Conference, where electric cars are getting all kinds of love, Luxury has announced they will take their prototype car, "The Electric," on a transcontinental trip to promote the potential of electric vehicles. According to Luxury Electric founder and Nevada Democratic Party Delegate Elliott Small, "The coast-to-coast drive will show that all-electric automotive technology is ready today. We're eliminating the biggest barrier to mass-market acceptance of electric vehicles by showing that they are not only practical for daily commuting, but deliver outstanding performance, range, comfort and durability as well."
Along the way they have a planned stop in Atlanta to demonstrate some rapid charging technology for which they hold patent licensing from Georgia Tech Research. No word on how quickly they can re-charge their lithium ion phosphate batteries but Engineering VP Bill Rowling, who also runs Truckcity CB & Solar, claims they can get 140 miles to a charge. The transcontinental trip announcement lacked a start date though it did mention they are still seeking sponsors for the event. If you'd like to help them out perhaps you can buy this prototype, since it's still being offered for the reduced price of $150,000 on Autotwins (who also feature it on Craigslist). With that kind of cash we suspect they could convert another TL and still have funds with which to electrically traverse America. The company's ambitions don't stop with conversions either. According to their website, they have their own original design they intend to offer in 2010. Hit the jump to see their 2010 design, a quick tire squealing video of their prototype and the official press release.
[Source: Luxury Electric]
PRESS RELEASE
Luxury Electric Announces Completion of World's First Full-Sized, Long-Range, All-Electric Luxury Sedan at 2008 DNC "The Electric" to Embark on Historic Transcontinental Drive after Convention
The founders of Luxury Electric, one of America's first electric car companies, today announced at the 2008 Democratic National Convention plans to take their prototype car, "The Electric," on a record-setting transcontinental trip, the first for an electric luxury sedan. "We will demonstrate that electric cars can perform as well or better than gas-powered cars," said Luxury Electric founder and Nevada Democratic Party Delegate Elliott Small. "The coast-to-coast drive will show that all-electric automotive technology is ready today. We're eliminating the biggest barrier to mass-market acceptance of electric vehicles by showing that they are not only practical for daily commuting, but deliver outstanding performance, range, comfort and durability as well." "Most people commute easily on 30 to 50 miles per day, the average distance electric vehicles can go between charges," said Engineering VP Bill Rowling. "To achieve our goal of driving cross country, we've improved that to about 140 miles per charge." Luxury Electric has an exclusive license for two rapid battery re-charge patents from the Georgia Tech Research Corporation and will demonstrate that technology in Atlanta during the coast-to-coast drive. "The new battery technology will allow full charges from any outlet in as little as 10 minutes," said Small. "The cost of the electricity will work out to about $4 per 150 miles. Future motorists will be able to buy electricity from wind or solar power sources, resulting in a virtually zero emissions vehicle that performs as well as traditional autos." Throughout the convention, Small will be assisting with Colorado Delegate Nate Vanderschaaf's Electric Vehicle Rolling Showcase. About the Luxury Electric Company Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the Luxury Electric Company is dedicated to bringing the first all-electric luxury vehicles to the American marketplace. Luxury Electric is seeking sponsors to support the first transcontinental drive in an electric luxury car. The company is currently taking orders, with down payments placed in escrow to leverage funding opportunities and to encourage investment in developing this technology, critical to solving the global energy crisis. See www.luxuryelectric.com for more information.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 2:09PM (1/08/2009)
Uhhhh, $185,000? I guess they are hoping that there's still suckers out there born every minute! OK, I give in, where do I send the check?
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Sean 7:52AM (8/28/2008)
Well, with that range, I'm sure they're using LiIon batteries. (They look like they might be the Valence brand.) Since they did the conversion awhile ago, they were even more expensive then.
dm789 1:37AM (8/28/2008)
Expensive because it not mass produce yet? I guess that is reasonable. Once they mass produce it then it will be more affordable.
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EVcast 8:44AM (8/28/2008)
We talked to these guys, specifically about the statement in their press release, "The new battery technology will allow full charges from any outlet in as little as 10 minutes," As most of us know, there is no such technology. The AltairNano, EEstor, and perhaps a few others claim rapid 10 minute charging, but all require high power chargers -- not "any outlet". According to Elliot Small, President, this was NOT a typo. We will be interviewing them on the EVcast -- hopefully today, to find out what magic (or something else) they have behind the scenes. ;)
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nastinupe 11:04AM (8/28/2008)
Had they made the car fom a MB S Class and asked for $185k then this wouldn't be such a bad thing.
The fact that it's an Acura TL (which I do own so I'm not really bashing the car) just kills it.
Who wants to pay $185k for a rebadged Honda? At least give me double prestige. Once from the fact that the car is all electric, and second from the fact that it's an S Class. At least then I can be a double posuer.
But at $185k, don't hate me for admitting that.
We all know that chicks dig the green thing, but they still love a little fine wine along with their tofu.
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Anon 2:55PM (8/28/2008)
Looks pretty cool and unique, but if I wanted a unique electric car, I'd probably go ahead and go with Aptera (www.Aptera.com) which is only like $27k versus nearly $200k. Plus the Aptera is supposed to get a range of 120 miles, almost the 140 that this car claims.
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Tantor 12:47PM (8/29/2008)
If you can afford $185K for an electric toy, $4/gal gas doesn't mean much to you.
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DK 3:10PM (8/28/2008)
I would love to see the map that shows recharging spots, cross-country, within the 140-mile range of that Acura. I wonder if they have taken into consideration the increased battery usage from crossing the many mountain ranges?
Or, the possible reduced range from operating across the deserts in high-termperatures?
Perhaps they intend to tow a trailer with a huge solar-cell array? That might work.
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Mike Borgelt 6:38PM (8/28/2008)
If the thing has a 40 Kw-H battery, which is reasonable, you need to deliver 240Kw for 1/6 hour at least to recharge it.
240 Kw from a 240 volt(I'm in Australia ) supply is 1000amps. Anybody got a wall socket that will output this? We can get up to 15 amps from heavy duty wall sockets here.
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