New electric car does 115 miles on single charge
A futuristic-looking electric car that can travel over 115 miles on a single charge goes on sale in America next week.
The Aptera Typ-1 has its batteries charged from a regular household socket much like any other electric vehicle, but it is able to more than double its range by harnessing the power of the sun – its roof features a bank of solar cells that top up the car’s batteries.
The three-wheeled vehicle, which is classified as a motorcycle, will be launched in California and sell for the equivalent of £17,000.
‘Sexy’ electric cars
Increases in environmental awareness and the cost of fuel have not altered the fact that the appearance of a car is still a huge influence on its popularity – a fact that has not helped electric cars, which are about function first and foremost. A radical and in marketing terms ‘sexy’ car like the Aptera will do much to change the image of electric cars for the better.
A hybrid version with a longer range is due to be launched in 2009 for under £20,000.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The electric cars currently on sale cover around 40 miles on a single charge, but in locations that do not have the benefit of Californian sunshine the Aptera is set to improve on that figure.”
The electric car market
| The electric car market | … at a glance |
|---|---|
| Percentage of cars in Britain that are electric | 0.01 |
| Number of major manufacturers that sells electric cars in Britain | 0 |
| Percentage of British emissions from road transport | 20 |
Electric cars: What’s good, what’s not so good
| Electric cars: What’s good | what’s not so good |
|---|---|
 In environmental terms, probably the best car option around especially if the electricity it uses comes from renewable sources |
 Generally low top speed (although electric cars can have surprisingly quick acceleration, so they can keep up with city traffic without any difficulty) |
| Zero emissions from the car itself makes it a saint in the city |
Limited range (until now) and lengthy recharging times means they are not suitable for long journeys |
| Extremely quiet |
The batteries cause pollution problems when the time comes to dispose of them |
|
Exempt from the London Congestion Charge, no road tax and only pennies per mile to run |
Expensive to buy |
Related electric car articles:
Aptera website
Electric car with five seats launched
Free parking for electric cars withdrawn
Electric cars – tell me more
London taxis may go electric
Dyson to build electric car
Breakdown cover for electric vehicles
The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. It is a specialist provider of breakdown cover for electric vehicles of many kinds. When you buy the services below you help the ETA campaign for sustainable transport.