{"id":13596,"date":"2011-10-03T12:08:26","date_gmt":"2011-10-03T18:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.sustainablog.org\/?p=13596"},"modified":"2011-10-03T12:08:26","modified_gmt":"2011-10-03T18:08:26","slug":"2011-electric-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/2011-electric-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"2011 Electric Cars: Concepts and Production Vehicles from Audi, Renault, and more…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"audi<\/a><\/p>\n

Audi, Citroen, Jaguar, Lancia, Peugeot, Porche, Renault. These should all be familiar names to car aficionados – and fans of the BBC show Top Gear<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But what else do they have in common? All have recently launched electric concept cars. (And I have to say they are all quite stunning in terms of design. But they’re concept cars, so that is almost to be expected; things like usefulness\u00a0and practicality aren’t always taken into consideration). Most of these concept cars were shown for 2011, which means around this time last year – but what’s new for this year?<\/p>\n

There are a good number of production electric cars either announced for 2012 or ones that have been in production already, like the Nissan LEAF, or the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. But more concepts are in the works, many of which were on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year (which just wrapped on September 25th).<\/p>\n

One of the most unique comes from Audi<\/strong>: their Urban Concept<\/a>\u00a0(with its\u00a0Urban Spyder<\/a>\u00a0variation – pictured above). They’re modern throwbacks – hearkening back to the wide-set axles of the Ford Model T, but with a modern twist, and a bit more of a sleek design. The motors are 2 e-tron electric motors.<\/p>\n

Audi’s also released a new production electric vehicle, the A2.\u00a0According to the guys over at Top Gear<\/a> (my go-to car gurus), the new car has a<\/p>\n

construction of aluminium frame with some added super-light and rigid carbon fibre. It’s engineered to accelerate a bit quicker than a regular diesel Audi hatch, thanks to a torquey 115bhp electric motor. It’ll go more than 100 miles on a four-hour 240V charge. It needs only that relatively quick recharge because its slimline 1150kg weight means it doesn’t need much electricity to accelerate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Go more than 100 miles on a four hour charge? Sign me up! (Though…if someone else could pay for it, that would be nice…)<\/p>\n

Renault<\/strong> had a rather unusual concept car at the Frankfurt show: the Frendzy<\/a>\u00a0has a “dual personality” and there’s a lot of talk about creating the perfect atmosphere for work or family with different colored lights (green and orange). Though it’s 100% electric, I can’t imagine it on the roads anytime soon. I liked the DeZir<\/a> better…<\/p>\n