Overview
In the EV world, "compact car" is really meant in the proper sense of the word. Most purpose built EVs today are designed with a maximum focus on low weight and compact size, in order to maximize range and speed. With ranges of around 40-70 miles and top speeds often limted to 35-50 mph, these vehicles are well adapted to inner-city environments. Here, their compact size turns out to be an additional advantage.
The useability of the current range of specialized EVs outside of cities is still limited, but there are some exciting new developments. First off the start, "Think" of Norway has released a new version of its pioneering car in 2008 - the Think City - with a range in excess of 100 miles and a top speed of 65 mph. 2011 will finally see the advent of "full-scale" cars that can transport up to 5 passengers in full comfort and have performance metrics that get ever closer to traditional vehicles.
Europe
| Nissan LEAF | The LEAF is the first in a range of full-grown 5 passenger fully electric cars coming to the market in 2011. It competes head-on with other non-electric vehicles in its class. | |
 |
Available from:
|
2011 |
Available in:
|
USA and Europe | |
Manufacturer:
|
Nissan | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
5 seats, 5 doors | |
Cost:
|
USD 32,800 before incentives | |
| Batteries: | Li-Ion (24 kWh) | |
Range:
|
ca. 100 miles | |
Max speed:
|
up to 90 mph | |
Other features:
|
Fully equipped with kit typical for a car of its class | |
| More information: | Nissan | |
| TH!NK | Previously in production from 1999 to 2002, the Think is now available in an all-new version after a relaunch in 2008. The new model boasts a significantly enhanced performance over the old one. | |
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Available from:
|
2008 |
Available in:
|
Norway | |
Manufacturer:
|
Think Nordic | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. for new model; old model: ca. 1000 | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2 seats; 2,99 x 1,60 x 1,55 m | |
Cost:
|
n.a. | |
| Batteries: | Li-Ion (22 kWh) or Zebra-Sodium (23 kWh) | |
Range:
|
ca. 100 miles (2008 model) | |
Max speed:
|
65 mph (2008 model) | |
Other features:
|
Standard kit to include ABS, power steering, electric windows (2008 version) | |
| More information: | Think Nordic AS | |
| NICE Mega City / Aixam | Available in the UK/London since 2007, a close competitor to the G-Wiz. The distributor of the Mega City in the UK also offers several other electric cars with similar characteristics. | |
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Available from:
|
2007 (UK) |
Available in:
|
UK (Mega City), France (Aixam) | |
Manufacturer:
|
Aixam-Mega Group, France | |
Units sold:
|
ca. 200 (as of end 2008) | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
available in 2 or 4 seat version | |
Cost:
|
£ 12,000 | |
| Batteries: | Lead-Acid | |
Range:
|
50 miles | |
Max speed:
|
40 mph | |
Other features:
|
Maintenance free battery | |
| More information: | NICE (UK distributor) | |
| REVA / G-Wiz | The G-Wiz has pioneered the EV sector in the UK. Produced in India, it has become one of the most wide spread electric cars in the UK. |
|
 |
Available from:
|
2001 (India), 2003 (UK) |
Available in:
|
UK (marketed as G-Wiz), India, USA | |
Manufacturer:
|
REVA Motors, India | |
Units sold:
|
> 1500 (of which >500 in India and 800 in UK) | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2+2 seats | |
Cost:
|
from £ 8,000 | |
Batteries: |
Lead-Acid | |
Range:
|
40 / 48 miles (AC / DC version) | |
Max speed:
|
40 / 45 mph (AC / DC version) | |
Other features:
|
Li-Ion battery pack soon to be available | |
More information: |
Goingreen (UK distributor) | |
| Maranello 4 | Produced in Italy, the Maranello 4 is available in London today, although it is not as widespread as the G-Wiz. | |
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Available from:
|
2005 (?) |
Available in:
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UK (importer: Sakura Electric), Italy | |
Manufacturer:
|
EFFIDI Automotive group, Italy | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2 seats | |
Cost:
|
from £ 10,000 | |
| Batteries: | Lead-Acid | |
Range:
|
45 miles | |
Max speed:
|
30 mph | |
Other features:
|
Also available: Diesel-electric version with max speed of 50 mph and range of 250 miles | |
| More information: | Sakura Electric (UK distributor) | |
| Elettrica | The Elettrica is now available from several distributors in the UK. It is Italian built and comes in two different versions. | |
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Available from:
|
2007 |
Available in:
|
UK, Italy | |
Manufacturer:
|
n.a. | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2 seats | |
Cost:
|
£ 9,950 / £ 12,750 (Lead / Lithium) | |
| Batteries: | Lead-Acid / Lithium | |
Range:
|
40 / 70 miles (Lead / Lithium) | |
Max speed:
|
40 / 45 mph (Lead / Lithium) | |
Other features:
|
Glass roof | |
| More information: | Travel Electric (UK) | |
| Kewet Buddy | Based on the Kewet which was originally built in Denmark, the new version of the Buddy was developed and launched by a Norwegian company in late 2005. | |
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Available from:
|
end 2005 |
Available in:
|
Norway | |
Manufacturer:
|
elbil Norge | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
3 seats; 244 x 143 x 144 cm | |
Cost:
|
ca. Euro 12,500 | |
| Batteries: | Lead; 8,4 - 10,5 kWh, 72 V (Li-Ion as option) | |
Range:
|
50-100 km (Lead); 100-150 (Li-Ion) | |
Max speed:
|
50 mph | |
| Weight: | 785 kg (with batteries) | |
Other features:
|
Also available as a convertible; van version planned | |
| More information: | elbil Norge | |
| Smart EV (business lease) | In 2006, 200 units were made available to corporate clients on a lease basis; plans are afoot now for a commercial release. | |
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Available from:
|
2006 (limited number of leases to corporate clients) No information on commercial release |
Available in:
|
UK | |
Manufacturer:
|
Smart / DaimlerChrysler | |
Seats:
|
2 | |
Cost:
|
n.a. | |
| Batteries: | n.a. | |
Range:
|
72 miles | |
Max speed:
|
70 mph | |
Other features:
|
n.a. | |
More information:
|
Smart company website | |
| Fiat Panda Electric / EnerMove | Ecolori started with e-conversions of the Renault Twingo. They are now offering the recent Fiat Panda model in an all-electric version. Its key features are a highway-suitable top speed and a range above 100 km. | |
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Available from:
|
2007 |
Available in:
|
Italy | |
Manufacturer:
|
Ecolori, Italy | |
Seats:
|
Available as Sedan (4 seats) or Van (2 seats) | |
Cost:
|
n.a. | |
| Batteries: | 190V, 17 KWh (weight 120 kg) | |
Range:
|
120 km | |
Max speed:
|
110 km/h | |
Other features:
|
EV buyers in Italy are entitled to a state subsidy of Euro 2000 | |
More information:
|
Ecolori website | |
| Mini QED | This e-converted Mini makes use of a high power battery pack and a very small internal combustion engine with electric generator which can be utilized to recharge the batteries upon depletion. With four electric motors integrated in the wheels, the vehicle develops 640 bhp total. | |
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Available from:
|
Not commercially available, although the company is interested in discussing possible one-off orders |
Available in:
|
UK | |
Manufacturer:
|
PML UK | |
Seats:
|
4 | |
Cost:
|
n.a. | |
| Li-Polymer | ||
Range:
|
200-250 miles (up to 930 miles using built in combine engine to recharge batteries) | |
Max speed:
|
150 mph | |
Other features:
|
Motors integrated in wheels (quad drive), and also utilized for braking (no disc brakes) | |
| More information: | PML website | |
North America
| Dynasty | A Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle already available in Canada and the US. It comes in different versions, including a convertible. | |
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Available from:
|
2003 (?) |
Available in:
|
Canada | |
Manufacturer:
|
Dynasty Electric Car Corp., Canada | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
4 seats ; 3,57 x 1,6 x 2,29 m | |
Cost:
|
||
| Lead-Acid | ||
Range:
|
30 miles | |
Max speed:
|
25 mph (electronically limited) | |
Other features:
|
Available in several versions | |
| More information: | Dynasty Electric Car | |
| ZENN | A Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle slated for sale in North America in 2007. | |
 |
Available from:
|
2007 (planned) |
Available in:
|
USA, Canada | |
Manufacturer:
|
ZENN Motor Company | |
Units sold:
|
0 | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2 seats; 3,07 x 1,50 x 1,42 m | |
Cost:
|
$ 12,000 - $ 14,000 | |
| Lead-Acid | ||
Range:
|
25 - 31 miles | |
Max speed:
|
25 mph (electronically limited) | |
Other features:
|
||
| More information: | ZENN Motor Company | |
| Tango | Built by a father-and-son business, this two-in-line seater had George Clooney as its first customer. The car derives its performance from a 1000 lbs battery pack. | |
 |
Available from:
|
2006 |
Available in:
|
USA | |
Manufacturer:
|
Commuter Vehicles | |
Units sold:
|
n.a. | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
2 seats (in-line); only 39" wide | |
| Weight: | 3000 lbs (including batteries) | |
Cost:
|
$ 80,000 (kit) | |
| Lead-based (NiMH and Li-Ion as future option) | ||
Range:
|
80 miles | |
Max speed:
|
150 mph | |
Other features:
|
carbon-fibre body | |
| More information: | Commuter Vehicles | |
| Phoenix SUV | In fact it is not a compact car at all but rather a full fledged SUV (find the SUT version under Transport cars). For lack of other contestants in the full fledged category we list it here for the time being. | |
 |
Available from:
|
early 2008 |
Available in:
|
USA | |
Manufacturer:
|
Phoenix Motorcars | |
Units sold:
|
0 | |
Seats; L/W/H:
|
5 seats (full size) | |
Cost:
|
ca. $ 45,000 | |
Weight:
|
n.a. | |
| Batteries: | Li-Ion based | |
Range:
|
120 miles | |
Max speed:
|
95 mph | |
Other features:
|
Claims to reach 250 miles range with a new kind of Li-Ion batteries (not available before end 2007); Can be charged in 10-15 minutes with a very high voltage (and expensive) charger |
|
| More information: | Phoenix Motorcars | |
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