Check this out! Zap and Lotus are looking at a concept car using Lotus APX technology as a platform for a High Performance electric car. 4 in hub electric motors, up to 350 mile range

http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4472


This is pretty cool stuff.

 

It sounds like they are using the same type of hub motors as this car:

Electic MINI

The motors are 160HP each and not musch heavier that the stock 17" wheels with run-flats.

 

I contacted the english company that makes the wheel motors used in the 640 HP Mini. They were 12,000 british pounds each (now $24000). That didn't include the battery pack, electrical converter subsystem or anything else. They said they had well over $100k in parts in the car, and made one for a crazy (uh, eccentric) english rich guy for $250,000 over the cost of the Mini.

What I find interesting here is that there's Lotus technology in the Tesla roadster, but they went with more fully developed A/C drive package that uses an AC motor that drives a two speed tranny (there are a bunch of technical reasons why this is a good idea) where you can acutally buy an AC driveline package for $25,000 single unit price retail (not from Tesla).

But I'm happy to see that there's another player in the electric market. The technology is about ready for some wide-spread adoption, and that will be good for us all!

Matt

 

Yikes! That's a bit steep. The ZAP-X looks a bit like the Mazda CX-7. I noticed they are based in Santa Rosa, do you know if their motors are their own development? Does asodestrom work there? It will be interesting to see what the price is for the X. Their Obvio 828E and 012E are $50-60K and on paper look like good Tesla competition (0-60 4.5sec, 120MPH 200+ mile range), although I would not like to try a road course. They both have a single 3-person bench seat!

 

No I don't work there, but they have been working on EV's aorund here for about 25 years. I don't know if the motor is their own design. I should run over there and see what's up. They have always been very open about what they are up to.

 

most of their tech seems based on making short range DC city cars and the like. If you want some fun reading, check out AC Propulsion's website. The link takes you to thier propulsion system (AC, $25000 quantity of 1). But this is what was in the EV-1 and I think the technology is in the Tesla as well. This inverter can even be hooked straight to the grid to dump power back! But you could also use it as a back up power system for your house. Combined with a solar array and net metering, this could be a nice little power package for a car, a house, and reduced utility costs.

Matt