The quest for a usable and affordable electric car has been the quest of many companies. To date no-one seems to have quite managed. In fact some of the schemes seem to border on scams. the ZAP is a great example. They managed to not only scam the customers, but also dealerships. I am always leery of great new ideas, particularly when they seem to provide a better Mouse trap.
So I have to admit that when I read this press release I was somewhat skeptical. It claims to get 150 miles on a single charge, and offers 0-60 in 5.7 seconds with ‘Zero Emissions, Zero Pollution, Zero Gasoline Needed’.
The vehicles are Saturn’s, you can buy your own and have it converted for the low low price of $25,000 or let them handle the whole meal deal for a cool $50,000.
They are taking orders right now for 2009 delivery, but I am not sure I would bet on it.
“The prototype is in the final stage, and production will take place later this year, with deliveries beginning in 2009,” said Jack Kuntz, AMP CEO.
Without even a demo unit to display, I would say that you are risking a lot. Most scams at least have a mock up of their world changing device. Lets hope that you don’t need that $50k. Electric has become the holy grail of the auto industry, but so far it is a dead battery. Will AMP be the next breakthrough, or is AMP just a high energy con? I am a believer that you can tell a lot about a company just by the design of their webs site http://www.ampmotorworks.com/ Hmm. lots of gloss, and it certainly was not put together by a 13 year old MySpace user. But does the glitz equate to product?
Simon Barrett
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11 users commented in " AMP Electric Car, Hype Or Hip? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackA battery-only EV is og ptractically no value, other than greenwashing to impress the ignorant. Who cares what the acceleration is - the car has a driving radius of certainly less than 70 miles. I notice they don’t provide any details concerning voiding warranties, battery lifespan, etc. You know, the thousand and one things that make a battery-only EV an oxymoron. They are betting that there are plenty of yokels out there, with lots of money, and the desire to greenwash their image.
Kent Beuchert is an insider for the oil / gas companies who has posted hundreds of daily postings to negate every positive article on electric car achievements. Please “google” his name under “news” to see the hundreds of other postings he has quickly replied to with negative incorrect information. I invite you read this forum post exposing hundreds of his negative comments and all aliases this man uses.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/off-topic/672-ken-kent-kerry-beauchrt-beuchert-beuchrt-biker-rider-krider.html
I have driven ZAP’s xebra for 2 years now.
There cars are 100% real. They have over 50 dealers. The real story is why you guys try to bring them and other electric cars down. Have you ever visited them in santa rosa? Who else has delivered hundreds of affordable practical electric cars?
go ZAP
http://www.zapworld.com
I would have to agree with Sue above. I’ve put over 3000 miles on my Xebra and I’m loving it. I still have my old gas car, but most often it just sits there as I am finding many uses for my electric.
Wired got the story all wrong because the sources are failed disgruntled ex-employees and dealers, some of whom are competing directly against ZAP and want to discredit them. Just like this blog, they are trying to put doubt into the minds of customers, dealers and the media. Don’t believe the hype! Believe only what you can learn with your own eyes.
Kerry Beauhrt can go to hell. This company, like zap and zen and other EV’s, is trying to make america greener and less dependant on foreign oil. Bashing new technology isn’t how the printing press, lightbulb, or airplane came to change society. The AMP goes 150 miles on a charge not 70, and the average american drives less than 40 miles a day anyway. This car is highway ready and may well be the answer to this country’s energy crisis
The AMP electric car prototype is running - see it on YouTube at http://youtube.com/watch?v=GbUa8v9GMF4
The company will be delivering cars after the beginning of 2009. I agree with you Niles - with the quoted stats, this car is highway ready and just could be one answer to our energy crisis.
thedekti
Sounds like brownwashing the green to me. I have driven a converted VW rabbit now for over 5 years. My partner has done pretty much all of the maintenance of the vehicle over the years, and he is no mechanic, he’s changed the batteries, and any other things that have needed to be done. It is painful for me to get into our bio-diesel jetta which I have to do occasionally to travel beyond the 50-mile range of the electric. The electric is the most enjoyable to drive, and is the car that is used the most. We charge the electric car from a 16-PV array…8 dedicated to the car, 8 to the house. The car is essentially run on solar power. Clearly we need batteries that are smaller, lighter, non-toxic and affordable and the car companies better get on it if they want to stay in business. But in the meantime, you cannot get any greener than a recycled, solar powered, electric vehicle, and I wouldn’t trade mine in for any other.
hybrid car is more fun and enjoyable to ride.
I think that you really do need good batteries to make this thing work. You could make these thing go as fast as a regular car, if the batteries weren’t as heavy as cinderblocks, with a need of about a minimum of 12 batteries per car.I’m sure one day electric cars will exsist, but personally, I love making my own gas motorized things for now, because the electric scooters and such are so whimpy (for now).
I just rode the AMP Sky at the NY International Auto Show and must say I was impressed. The test was a slow ride but quite enjoyable. I plan to visit the factory in Ohio to do a complete test drive.
Detractors one and all. Although I am in an area where I cannot get a hold of an electric car I know through research that EV’s work. Anyone who debunks this should know that If all they have is an idea that it’s bad then they need to change to a positive attitude because these people see all things as the glass being half empty. Good things happen for positive thinking people and although it’s much easier to be negative that is not the way to go. I see BATTERIES as being the only alternate power source for cars and the any type of fuel method will not work.
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