Comments on: Subaru Set to Launch Electric Vehicle

By: Redbarchetta

Redbarchetta — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:35:34 +0000

Actually I could use this little thing. I barely put 50 miles a week on my motorcycle commuting to work and running minor errands around town. As a second vehical in a small town or for a college student (again in a small town) this could be very practical only having to charge it maybe twice a week. Of course cost would probably put it out of college students price range and the looks would have to be improved, looks like a toy mouse for cats to play with. Aside from the space I think I would prefer my bike though, much more fun and 60 mpg.

By: Durishin

Durishin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:37:31 +0000

RF,

I think you’re being unnecessarily harsh re. the styling. I think that Zapatinas may have penned this one first. It is a tight little package with some great folds and interesting creases.

Unfortunately, as the design concept was stretched in size per the B9s mission of delivering more humans it got bigger and less attractive.

Such, I am afraid, is life.

By: storminvormin

storminvormin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:45:09 +0000

in Japan where it’s unlikely you’ll be driving any sort of long distance

Actually I’ve heard of some very long commutes in Japan because so many things are centralized to Tokyo.

By: Areitu

Areitu — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:26:30 +0000

I could drive between work and home twice on one charge, if it has a 50 mile range…in Japan where it’s unlikely you’ll be driving any sort of long distance, this could be a very practical solution, especially if it can charge up to 80% in just a few minutes. Considering the car taxes there, I don’t see why this would be a feasible urban solution.

By: SunnyvaleCA

SunnyvaleCA — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:56:40 +0000

If they can make these things low cost so that it could be a second vehicle for a person, then it could have a chance. But, if you can afford two cars then your gasoline car is probably fairly new and thus depreciating every day even if you don’t drive it; might as well enjoy the gasoline one while the fuel is cheap (in the US at least).

By: Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:41:53 +0000

50 miles per charge? What a joke…I’d rather just give Lance a “Powersauce” bar and have him pull me in a rickshaw. That’s good for like 200 KM per day…150 if lance doesn’t flick his headlight generator down onto the wheel.

By: Alfamike

Alfamike — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:33:21 +0000

Looks quite cool methinks. Born from foos, lol.

So the 50 mile range is the big obstacle to mainstream use. How about shoehorning in one of those lil’ Fiat style 1 liter 4 cylinder engines and making this no go electric a more accessible hybrid that charges the battery off the engine when it’s running low?

That’d be useful basic transport, not for the performance aficionados, but for the masses. And the masses need wheels too.

By: ihatetrees

ihatetrees — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:36:28 +0000

It’s a big computer mouse with wheels. The roof looks clickable.

By: N85523

N85523 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:15:35 +0000

It looks like the juvenile offspring of a Prius and the pre-face-lift Tribeca with it’s iconic airborne grille.

By: Juniper

Juniper — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:42:14 +0000

aerodynamic, government subsidized, golf cart.

By: KixStart

KixStart — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:40:12 +0000

As a faithful TAR-watcher, I was similarly perplexed when Phil didn’t name the manufacturer. I hope TAR isn’t going to inflict a Zebra on these people but I can’t think of any other production EVs right now.

By: Donal

Donal — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:13:53 +0000

automobile.com: “, Tesla has been producing and selling a full electric vehicle for some time now …”

That statement makes it sound like you can actually buy and drive a Tesla right now. AIUI, you can put down a deposit, but that’s about it.

Last night on CBS’ Amazing Race 12, the stage winners won a pair of EVs (obviously not Teslas):

“For their win, the duo each received an electric vehicle that seats four, is environmentally safe and is perfect for getting around town.”

I was perplexed that announcer Phil never even mentioned the manufacturer’s name. Why not plug the product? (KixStart: GEM has a pretty good lineup of NEVs. My city uses them for mail delivery and tourist taxis.)