How not to impress us: the Colorado Current EV
Click above for a gallery of the Current
Here's an email that came into the AutoblogGreen mailbox from reader CW the other day:
"Ive seen a lot of your articles on here about different electric cars, but none of them match the Current that is available now in Colorado. It has 186 HP goes highway speeds and right now can go 70 miles on a charge and soon they are getting new batteries that will allow it to go 200 miles at highway speeds. Please go to Coloradoautoconnection.com and look at the Current and maybe write a post about it. It is a great car, 4 place hatchback and best of all it is available right now!"
Sounds good, right? I checked out that website and poke around the web a bit. I discover a post on the Current (which is not the Kurrent EV) on Sustain Lane and a one-line tidbit at the Denver FOX affiliate says that, "The Current is a 100% electric car that is rated for use on America's highways. S.T. Tripathi of Parker, Colorado is bringing it to market." The Sustain Lane story says that Tripathi hopes to employ 200 people and make 50,000 of these all-electric vehicles. The Colorado Auto Connection site says that the Current has a range between 65 and 200 miles and can reach speeds of 70 mph from a 240-volt lithium polymer or Nilar battery pack. Ambitious, this project is.
One slight problem, though. When I clicked on the Colorado Auto Connection link to find out the price of the Current and see how many were available, as CW said. The result:
"Sorry, No listings were found that matched your search query. Please try your search again."
Gallery: Current EV
[Source: Electric City Motors, Sustain Lane, Colorado Auto Connection]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 1:59PM (2/23/2009)
Everyone is talking, but no one is building, HMMMMM. I guess talk is cheap. You tree huggers will likely have to keep driving your Priuses for a while longer.
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Yanquetino 2:04PM (2/23/2009)
Oh... okay, "CW"! So, you've driven one of these right? Let's hear a report of your experience.
We first heard of the Current many MONTHS ago, supposedly available from "Electric City Motors" (http://www.electriccitymotors.com/), a subsidiary of the "Colorado Auto Connection" (http://www.coloradoautoconnection.com/index.aspx). To date... nobody has reported one word on the vehicle, let alone provided any stats or pricing.
What makes me roll my eyes is that the photo above states "American Made," yet in reality the Current is evidently from Zhangjiagana Elecars (http://www.elecars.com/main.asp) in China.
Hmmm. If the advertisement is misleading, what does that say about the outfit, let alone the vehicle...? I don't suggest that folks hold their breath on this one. I'll believe it when a bona fide automotive review appears.
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Chris M 2:19PM (2/23/2009)
I was wondering where they were getting them from. It could be that they are importing the components from China and just doing final assembly here so they could pretend they were "American Made". The information listed the standard battery as "240 volt yellow top", it sounds like 20 Optima spiral wound lead acid batteries, and that would fit with the range and performance figures.
The reliability and safety of imported Chinese cars is open to question.
The missing pricing information is probably due to setting up the webpage before all the details were finalized. A bit sloppy on their part, but it happens.
Phil L. 2:32PM (2/23/2009)
A hint on price: Go to "News & Press" on their site and click on "Grand Opening Photo Gallery".
The 9th photo includes a car - and a "No Hassle Price" tag of $24,950. Of course, no specifics on what that particular car includes.
http://www.coloradoautoconnection.com/images/grand_opening/ribbon_cutting9.jpg
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Gary 2:44PM (2/23/2009)
That photo isn't the same thing. Lights are different, grills under the wipers and their appears to be a hood badge. None of those are shown on the pic above.
Epyx 2:47PM (2/23/2009)
That is a Smart car.
Gary 2:39PM (2/23/2009)
The search returns 0 of 12 records.... so there are 12 records out there of some type. A little creativity with the URL (http://www.coloradoautoconnection.com/listman/exec/search.cgi?search=1) and you get 12 Prius results returned. Yeah... um... that don't look like a Current to me.
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BoomBoom 3:18PM (2/23/2009)
Looks like snake oil to me....
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Brian from Colorado 3:36PM (2/23/2009)
I live in Colorado and could stop by the store and verify said car and specs. If I am able to retrieve any information I will post it for everyone.
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Yanquetino 7:06PM (2/23/2009)
Okay, Brian! Please do! We'd all be grateful for the feedback after your test drive!
Be sure to also ask them about the Current's safety features (airbags, side-impact beams, EPA testing, etc.), accessories (air conditioning, stereo, etc.), and --of course-- its stats.
Brent 3:38PM (2/24/2009)
You can't really get mad they say its out and have none in stock, more than many of these other dealers are doing currently. We'll see, I dont see why jungle motors and other such converters dont fix up old light weight cars(bodies from dumps) with EVness(and safety) and open their own car lot. People might just hop on the first thing they see, seems everyones fairly eager for one.
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Derrick 3:44PM (2/24/2009)
Hey Guys,
I've been following these folks for almost a year now. And even went as far to speak with S.T. personally on the phone. My personal opinion is, these guys seem legit, however, why is it taking so long to bring these cars to the market? As they say the proof is in the pudding and I have yet to hear about anyone who has purchased one.
However, here is a video clip of a news anchor test driving one if it's of any consolation:
http://www.9news.com/life/programming/shows/mornings/article.aspx?storyid=104682&catid=229&provider=email
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Derrick 11:59AM (2/26/2009)
Ok, here's the deal. I went to the www.Coloradoautoconnection.com website and clicked the "Order Here" button. A page appeared asking for my contact information. So, after providing it, I just received an email yesterday asking for $7500 NON REFUNDABLE deposit and the full price of the car was $28900.
The email was from S.T. himself who also stated he had 2 in stock a yellow and a silver. Now, I'm not implying anything at this point. I am just sharing this information with all of you. Hope this helps.
Brian form Colorado 3:24PM (2/26/2009)
Yes this company and owner is for real! I just got back from his showroom and shop and went on a test drive, all with pictures. First the cars are made in China as everyone thought. He has them shipped from Pakistan to the US. He is a registered manufacture and his own VIN. I saw the paperwork for both of those things. I did not see any safety paperwork and he told me he has not done any safety testing but would after he has sold 10K in cars. He is also a Colorado car dealer and can sell the cars he brings in to the US. The car drove well for what it was (Aveo sized) and I pictures of us going 70. Ten cars where on site with all but one being sold to customers. The Canadian deal is real and people are flying in next week to tour the facility and see them in person. He was at a event yesterday 2/25/09 at the Capital showing off energy related Colorado companies and he drove the car I sat in to the capital about 45 miles one way. The current car can go about 52 miles on a charge. He can put in various brands of batteries and has a working prototype of a battery that will get just under 300 per charge with a 2 hour recharge using 220. I have other details and lots of pictures I can send to Sebastian Blanco if he wants to add them to the story. ST is not web savay and told me he doesn't actively go to the web. So surfing on his website is not the best way to get in touch with him. As a side note as I finished my test drive the news reporter from 9 News in Denver bought in a customer to look at the cars and started talking to me about all the Colorado energy activities being started this year including solar powered plug stations in downtown Denver.
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Brian From Colorado 4:00PM (2/26/2009)
To add to the post above he has them shipped without the motor or batteries and is installing his own combination here in the states. The car is VERY basic cloth seats (not bad to sit in IMHO), rubber floor, heat, an Upgraded Drivers Air Bag system that is done in the shop, and has an upgraded dash for the US market and side impact beams. He told me that lots of other upgrades take place such as brakes and other internal and mechanical systems. This car is basic like my old 1970 VW Bug was but it handled well at 70 on a nice curve and wasn't too noisy just a couple of rattles on the very bad roads near his location. He told me you could order AC and it comes with a VERY cheap looking stereo cassette player. I'm not so sure this car is up to the plush standards we expect but it was real. ST also told me that he is bringing in a Accord sized car with more standards such as Leather, sunroof, AC, that will sell for $45K. I think it will have the looks of an 90's Toyota Corolla but he didn't have any pictures.
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