New electric MPV boasts 400km range
The world’s first purpose-built electric MPV is to go on sale in 2010 in South Africa at a price of £13,000.
Range, performance, cost and size are often cited as reasons for not buying electric vehicles, but the six-seater Joule car aims to be competitively priced and is able to travel 400km before its batteries need to be re-charged.
In common with other electric cars, the Joule requires an overnight charge to replenish its batteries, but its range is impressive and is possible only through the use of lithium ion batteries and regenerative braking, where the battery is charged by the energy generated in braking.
Good looking electric cars
Electric cars do not enjoy the best reputation in the looks department, but things are changing.
The two-seater Aptera electric car (pictured below) goes on sale in California this month and features bodywork that is nothing if not futuristic.
The company behind the Joule, Optimal Energy, clearly aims to pitch their car squarely against MPVs from the major manufacturers and did well to employ Keith Helfet, designer of the Jaguar XJ-220 supercar, as their designer.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Up until now buyers of electric cars have had to compromise on looks and performance, but the Joule appears to deliver style and practicality.”
“The car’s green credentials are further boosted by the fact that 50 per cent of its materials are local.”
The Nice Ze-O was hailed as the world’s first electric MPV, but the company has recently gone bankrupt and there appear to be no plans for it to be imported into Britain.
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The ETA is a not-for-profit organisation providing motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover, including a specialised service for electric vehicles. The ETA exists in order to campaign for sustainable transport – when you buy our services you help fund our charitable work.