Electric Vehicle for Only $19K - 12/4/08

If you are looking for an electric vehicle (EV), but think the Tesla or Mini-E cost too much, then the EV’s Ruff & Tuff Electric Vehicle may fit your budget.  This electric car looks a lot like the Smart EV, but cost only $19,000.

Ruff & Tuff has partnered with China’s Shuanghuan Automobile Company to bring a new EV to the U.S. next spring.  The partnership of these two hopes to be a leader in the EV market with an inexpensive, safe and cool car for urban environments.  They believe the time is right for an affordable EV to enter the market.

CEO Mike McQuary believes this is the perfect storm.  People are looking at their personal habits and their effect on the environment.

The Wheefo Whip is capable of 60 mph, but it will be limited to 20 or 25 mph depending on the state and until the feds sign off on its crashworthiness.  This will restrict it to a neighborhood electric vehicle status.  It is expected the feds will OK the EV for normal use by 2010, which will be about the time several cities will have some EV infrastructure in place.

The Whip is based on the gas powered Noble that Shanghuan already builds in China.  When the Whip arrives in the U.S. Ruff & Tuff will do the final assembly, program the controller and fine tune the drive train.  The Whip will use AMG dry cell batteries giving it a range of 50 miles.

The partnership wants consumers to see the Whip more than a toy for the rich.  They want consumers to see the Whip practical for everyday use and to use the EV for their daily commutes to work.

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