Ten Of The Electric Cars That Were Actually Built

You have heard about all the alternative power methods for vehicles, but a lot of the electric cars discussed are never really produced at all. Many times the cost of production is too high or they just don’t get the attention they need to make it on the market. No matter what the reason, these vehicles are sometimes never seen at all past the prototype that usually shows as unsuccessful as people aren’t looking for just fuel efficiency but many other features that are sometimes not found with these great vehicles. In some cases however, there proved to be a reason to produce the vehicles and present to the commercial market for sale, with some surprising vehicles that actually made it such as these 10 electric cars that were actually produced.

1. Nissan Leaf. The first of this electric car were turned over 12/11/2010 to customers on the commercial market after a long awaited arrival. The Nissan Leaf offers a higher mph and a much more efficient operation with no gas required to operate.

2. 1902 Wood’s Electric Phaeton. Believe it or not, there were electric cars in the early 1900s as they became a vast concept picked up by frontrunners in the industry. The 1902 Wood’s Electric Phaeton was the first of the electric vehicles actually produced, which was really no more than a carriage without the horses and with an electric powered battery offering an 18 mile range, 14mph, and a cost of $2,000.

3. Battronic Electric Truck. This was another early edition that was actually released in 1964 and offered a 2500 pound payload, up to 25mph, and a 62 mile range, for an optimal use of an efficient vehicle that was at the prime of electric vehicle production.

4. Sebring Vanguard CitiCar. The CitiCar was produced as the logical option for driving the city roads without burning the gas and emitting the toxins and pollution that was noticed greatly by society. There were 2,000 produced during its run with an offering of up to 44mph with a normal cruise at 38mph, and a 50-60 mile range.

5. Elcar. This was another city vehicle that was actually produced and released on the commercial market. Created by the Elcar Corporation, the vehicle cost between $4,000 and $4,500, offered up to 45mph and a range of 60 miles.

6. US Electricar S-10 Electric Pickup. With a 7 hour charge, this pickup is fully charged, able to offer speeds much higher than previous models and a range of 60 miles, with some lasting much longer with a single charge. The vehicle was actually produced, but had lower performance than efficiency.

7. Geo Metro. This was a four passenger sedan with an alternating current motor with lead-acid batteries that increased the efficiency and drive, as well as life of the electric vehicle. The Metro was able to accomplish a 50 mile range with a single charge lasting about 8 hours.

8. Ford Ecostar Utility Van. This was a utility van that was produced with 100 made, but it was deemed an R&D vehicle that wasn’t offered commercially. The van, however, included an alternating current motor with a sodium sulfur battery that would get up to 70mph and had a range of over 80 miles, typically up to 100, for a very functional, high performance vehicle.

9. Electric Ford Ranger. This was a 700 pound payload vehicle that was just recently in production and produced 75mph with a range of 70 miles. Unlike other electric vehicles, the Ford Ranger model could go from 0-50 in 12 seconds, making it one of the more successful and desired electric cars that were actually produced.

10. GM EV1. This is a two passenger sports car that has a liquid cooled alternating current motor that can reach up to 80 mph. The vehicle can go from 0 to 50 in 7 seconds, for an optimal performance from the vehicle not found in many other electric cars produced.

While you may think that electric cars are new, you are quite wrong, as there were early models as the concept was very hot during the early 1900s. Once gasoline and the desire for efficiency was less than before, the demand for these vehicles and production went to a very low number, increasing again during the 60’s and continuing through the years to production even today with great models now being released. Although the perfect electric vehicle isn’t set to be created until at least 2020, these are great reasons to pass the gas station by and keep on trucking.

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