UK investors and engineers have taken the wrapping off the Riversimple Urban Car -- an ultra-light, fuel-cell EV with a top speed of 50 mph, a 200-mile range, and a fuel economy equivalent of 300 mpg.
But the car won't be for sale anytime soon: In an effort to break the traditional automotive model, the 770-pound Urban Car will only be leased to customers at $325 per month -- and that price includes the hydrogen! The subscription model will allow the company to start building the hydrogen infrastructure necessary to support the technology, and possibly overcome the chicken-and-egg scenario.
The EV, built from carbon composites, boasts a small 6 kW fuel cell, as well as ultracapacitors, regenerative braking, and four in-wheel motors. The company has brokered a deal with the British gas company BOC Gases to develop a pilot fueling program in a small UK city.
Riversimple has worked with Cambridge and Cranfield universities in designing the car, and the design is open source so automotive engineers can easily access the schematics to offer design improvements. Look for the Urban Car in 2013.
Editor's Note: Sebastian Piech, a Riversimple investor and co-founder, is the great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. He believes his famous forebear would be pleased with the Urban Car's light-weight design and efficiency.
(Source: Wired, June 16, 2009). Contact: Hugo Spowers, Founder, Riversimple, www.riversimple.com.
Monday, June 22, 2009
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