The World's Fastest Electric Urban Car

[drifta96]

i bet it's top heavy as hell

[Mrwoogle]

Looks like a vw polo cross between a fiat 500... That come out downsindrome

[MrJuno6]

The one dislike is the chairman of OPEC.

[ziasong]

First time I saw Tango, I widened the screen aspect ratio.

[micol018]

he wanted to say market :)

[cgrscott]

Is it tipsy on turns?

[Polybun]

fastest electric car, fuck no. Go look for the White Zombie datsun folks.

[gorillatrail]

you know what happens to people trying to mess with big oil ..... lol goodluck with the tango its what we all could wish for clean energy but wait where is this electricity coming from .... coal ? still some kinks to work out iron out the corrupt in big corp and maybe and thats a big maybe then you have a win. Everyone knows the ussa is stuck in the 1900s and global warming was a bogus tax scam in the making when we are heading to an ice age in reality. tango go in snow and ice ?

[tickyul]

@gorillatrail I mean, the main issue is these cars are just not practical for MOST people. You have a car and you want to take a weekend trip, what the hell are you going to do with a electric car that drains the hell out of batteries at hgihway speeds???? And the cost.....yikes......I could buy a little beater subcompact for tooling around for 1K, probably get 40mpg/

[jeffg3209]

This will never be the future of transportation. Just watch, the smart car is going to fail bad. If an electric car can be made to go quick, have some "serious" top end, maybe it will get some attention. Nobody wants to drive some ugly electric car. Make one fast, gorgeous, and fun. It will sell!

[tickyul]

@jeffg3209 Well the issues that make these cars a FAIL for the most part are not that they are not QUICK, these cars have a very good torque curve, quick off the line. Serious problems are that they take a long time to "refuel" and the seriously limited mileage on a charge.

[TheFerruccio]

@tickyul It's a balancing act. It would be cheaper to just change the ratio of the higher gears. An extra gear adds weight. Also, this is an electric car, so efficiency works quite differently here.

[tickyul]

@TheFerruccio Yeah, I was trying to point out that a modern internal combustion vehicle could have much better performance than these electrics that are not ready for prime time. I think a lot of electrics are using CVT's, as opposed to regular trannys. I am sure the weight of the 7 speed could be almost just as light as a 5 speed with a little tweaking. Super-overdrive is meant to be like a granny-gear in the opposite direction, very little power needed when momentum is high.

[TheFerruccio]

@tickyul Electric motors, inherently, have better performance in the sub 150mph range. The limiting factor is storing that energy in batteries. Also, in most cases, CVTs are *not* used, and it's merely a case of 1 extremely long gear that revs from 0 to ~14000 RPM (in Tesla's case). Also, again, electric motors work differently. A high rpm electric motor won't have the same efficiency problems as a high rpm gasoline motor. (remember: power = torque * rpm * a coefficient)

[tickyul]

@TheFerruccio Yes, the potential for electrics is great.......except for the limitations of the batteries. I think that when Solar cell paint gets better and cheaper you will see a much better product available. I used to drive electric trolley buses and they were extremely good off the line, could go up hill so much better than diesels and were very reliable. I love electricity, but these vehicles will be a small niche market until they work out the mileage issues.

[TheFerruccio]

@tickyul Solar cell paint is nice, but that will not be sufficient to have even the most aerodynamic of cars work. It takes about 30 horsepower to run a sufficiently aerodynamic compact car at highway speeds. That's over 22,000 watts. Solar energy is, on average, around 1,000 watts per square meter. The average parking space is around 12 square meters. The Shockley-Queisser limit for p-n silicon junction solar cells is around 33%. Do the math. It cannot sustain the necessary power.

[tickyul]

@TheFerruccio Yeah, those number that you state are really damning. I think that if these cars get some traction though.......maybe we can see some big breakthroughs in this type of technology. One of the problems is most people will not stand for the limitations of these cars, just will not buy them. Great for a small, specialty market though.

[tickyul]

One of the easiest way of getting more Mpg's is adding more gears. Put a 7 speed tranny into a 1 liter subcompact and you will get very high mileage. 6th gear=overdrive, 7th gear =super overdrive.

[MegaTomahawk99]

If this is the future I guess Mexicans are screwed

[circusboy90210]

really everybody?? I think not I will keep my lincoln town car forever efficiency does not have to mean small, slow & dangerous. get a real car for christ's sake that thing is horrible.

[tickyul]

@circusboy90210 Agree with you. I drove one of those Smartcars, wow that was scary, did not pick up worth a crap and felt really unstable. Compared to the Geo, Metro I owned it was a piece of crap. The Metro, with a stick would really get up and go, too bad most Ameritards will not drive a stick, I love them.

[505197]

It's such a logical design and what I've been saying we need for a long time. Even if you ran it on fuel it'd be such an improvement in mileage. If you wanted to haul a someone  add a seat behind the driver, narrow is the key to cutting the air. Really a neat design, my hat is off to you.

[circusboy90210]

@505197 there is no reason to sacrifice safety & style for economy that's what we have technology for. this is a glorified gocart leave vehicles like this for 3rd world nations who don't value life.

[tickyul]

Uh, would'nt that thing tip over really easy on hard cornering, such as an emergency manuever???

[GeoffEberle]

currently selling at only $108,000 ... yeah, because if i had that money this is what I'd spend it on. It will NEVER catch.

[tickyul]

@GeoffEberle Yep, you are right about that, maybe sell a few to rich yuppies, that is about it. I mean we have the technology to build a gas/diesel subcompact that could get close to 100mpg, but just like anything else being produced, you must be able to sell it, few would shell out 30-40 grand for a subcompact.

[TheFerruccio]

@slipshodcoqbgg Lol, troll science. Problem?

[TheFerruccio]

I like how this thing looks like the most pathetic box on wheels, but can easily outrun pretty much every "sports car" you see on the road. Imagine how insignificant someone would feel after losing to this, not knowing what it was.

[tickyul]

@TheFerruccio I drove a car with a similar shape/size (Smartcar), I would not reccomend hotdoggin in this car. The Smartcar was one scary ride, felt really unstable, especially in cornering.

[TheFerruccio]

@tickyul Well, the smart city car has a very different center of mass. Because it is not ballasted by massive battery packs between the wheelbase, it is more prone to tipping over than this vehicle. Though, I haven't been able to find a source attesting to where the center of mass for the smart car is. I do know, however, that it's about 11 inches above the ground for the Tango.

[tickyul]

@TheFerruccio Well, the smart car was not just lacking in stability, it was scary slow in the ability to speed up when needed. Like I said before, If you have a subcompact with a small engine.......you need a stick to improve performance. That is probably going to be a sticking point with a lot of people.....no stick=doggish, stick=pain in the ass (for some). What about the Tango, have you drove one....stick or auto???

[TheFerruccio]

@tickyul Neither. That's not how electric motors work. Electric motors have a much broader torque curve (as represented on a torque vs rpm plot), so you don't need multiple speeds to get the optimal power. It's usually a single speed for an electric motor. It's 1 speed all the way up to 130 mph. It reaches 60 mph in less than 4 seconds with a 12 second standing quarter mile. I'd hardly call that doggish.

[BiologicalUnit2380]

looks like it would roll over on a curve

[YORKPEPPER]

they all ways come out w shit like this.. and ppl just get the big trucks couse this little cars r 5 times more expensive from a family car.. so is never gona change....

now if is 3 times lower from a regular family car. ofcurse any boody is gona bye one n is the only way to change the world not to get rich..

[EmperorofCartoons]

@YORKPEPPER Thats why we need to make it impossible to get those big trucks, at least for your average person.

[Axbent]

"not for personal gain,not to get rich" thats a very bad mindset for an entrepreneur, Id be worried tohear that if I was an investor!

[r3inhout]

@Axbent He's just trying to make his company different than the big companies. It's just a marketing trick ;) Of course, he'll get rich if the company grows

[EmperorofCartoons]

@Axbent If more businessmen had those goals the world wouldnt be in half the mess its in now.

[ubersecretrapist]

hmm trying to get 5 people in that car would be fun lol and how far you think it goes on a charge?

[tickyul]

Nice video, I think I may stay the winter in Spokane, check it out. I lived in Kennewick for 6 months, nice but just a little too small for me. I live in San Diego and might move or at least split my time between here and somewhere else. Can someone clue me in on the comments I keep hearing about Spokane along the lines of "very trashy" "Spokompton" "loaded with homeless" "filled with meth-heads", is it that bad or just people exaggerating ( I honestly do not know and have not made judgements).

[SplittingAt0ms]

@tickyul Spokane is a nice place to live. There are homeless and drugs where ever you go. This town reports on that stuff a lot because it's all they've got to report on. If you liked Kennewick, but it was too small, you might enjoy Spokane. The winters will vary from minimal to several feet of snow on the ground depending on the year. Like Kennewick, it remains fairly "red" in terms of political position unlike Seattle and pretty much anywhere West of the Cascade mountains. I hope you like it!

[tickyul]

@SplittingAt0ms Wow, thanks a lot for giving me your opinion in a clear, simple manner. I know people always exaggerate how bad problems are in certain areas they have lived, I take it with a grain of salt. But, I have to be honest with you, I google the term "spokompton" and got almost 8K results...yikers. I really liked Kennewick, just a little too small.

[SplittingAt0ms]

@tickyul No problem! I think Californians who moved up here and felt completely underwhelmed by the town compared to what they were used to created the "Spokompton" monicker. Then it was adopted over time by kids on facebook, and myspace, bloggers and critics, none of which have EVER acutually been to Compton and thusly not fully understanding the comparison. :-) If Kennewick was too small, and you're willing to sacrifice some heat for snow, Spokane might work for you.

[tickyul]

@SplittingAt0ms Well then, what about that park that is near downtown, I have read a lot of peoples negative comments about it due to the fact that it is overrun with urine covered zombies (bums/homeless/methheads). I mean I live in San Diego and there are some parts that are soooo nice, but, many are truly blighted and filthy. San Diego is paradise if you can afford to live in the nice parts, if not.......YIKERS......trashy and dirty. I lived in Seattle for 30 years and hate the rain, bleech.

[tickyul]

@SplittingAt0ms And I don't think the term Spokompton is really meant to covey the image of a Compton like town in eastern washington. The term Spokompton is meant to conjure up the image of a white trash type town full of methheads and wiggers who have a lot of time to hang out and cause trouble.

[SplittingAt0ms]

@tickyul Riverfront Park is fantastic. They've done a good job of keeping the bums out. They recently put in a fountain that kids play with in the summer to go along with the huge Radio Flyer Wagon slide and carousel (One of the oldest in America). I'm not going to tell you that it's like San Diego because it's not. Not by a long shot. That said, in terms of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane, Yakima, Moses Lake (Eastern, WA cities) Spokane is at the top of the list.

[tickyul]

@SplittingAt0ms That is really interesting, the first I have heard about the park making a turn for the better. I just really fear that a lot of city governments make the homeless problem so much worse, encourage these people to wreck the city life for productive citizens. Downtown San Diego is a perfect example, some really nice parts, but so many blighted areas filled with bums and boarded up buildings. Are the winter in Spokane really long and dreadful. Lots of wiggers in Spokane I assume?

[jony808]

kool ...  who is the price? i like five in diferent colors..

[jeepliberty12]

llegara algun dia a mexico y como cuanto costaria

[3089280288]

This car represents the reason why we should not buy those things. It is better and cheaper just to convert a used car and you get all the aspects of modern car plus save way more money.

[adam0900909]

Yeh, I appreciate that the batteries may be on the floor giving it a low centre of gravity (I assume thats what they did) But that thing would still flip really easily. Basic physics people. No matter how low the centre of gravity, its still no substitute for a wider base. Also I dont fancy getting t boned in one. But interesting Idea. Even if hydrogen is going to make batteries obsolete soon.

[Zamboro]

@adam0900909

There's a lot you haven't been told about hydrogen.

[adam0900909]

@Zamboro I did a 3000 word essay for a science a level on it so im fairly knowledgeable about it by now. Yes its not fully there yet but in 10 years time...

[Zamboro]

@adam0900909

No hydrogen on sale today is generated via electrolysis. It's all refined from natural gas. Additionally the longest lived fuel cell built so far lasted 200 days of continuous runtime. That translates to around 5-7 years of modest daily driving. A lithium battery costs the same, lasts twice as long and requires no new infrastructure. With modern electric cars like the Model S delivering 300 mile ranges, by the time fuel cells are economical we won't need them.

[macheteboy787]

it culd be or that they say and more but is ugly as hell it looks like wheel chair with a cover rain prove wheel chair lol at least the smart is not ugly and expensive side ways is not that ugly but wen strait shit and by the way the creator think of everything but no in fat people a 250 lbs guy get sting by a bee in it they got to make it convertible to take him out lol.

[Bastometer]

If that's the future in car design I'm gonna kill myself O_o

[legalyzefreed0m]

i like it, i just wish the wheels were a good 9" farther out given its height. I am a big fan of squatty cars. This thing looks like it may tip at any moment.

[10blood]

Buy one for over $100,000 today! Yeah it costs that much. Give me that money and I'll get a brand new corvette grand sport with all the options and spend the rest of money on all the gas I'll ever need. What a fucking waste of money this little box is!

[steemy2]

full cage, four point harnesses, recaro seats... yep, want one!

[vwlolfordlol]

in the detroit auto show,i got to ride this very expensive car

[SGde3a]

How does it not fall over when you turn a corner?

[sandmann13]

the motor and it's weight.

it's placed so far down so that it lays on the street like a porsche 911.

[tutumaShell]

i see, so the center of gravity is quite low despite appearances...?

[danwat1234]

@SGde3a , Heavy heavy batteries on the bottom act as a ballast for uber handling

[tripjet999]

If some people would stop frumpin' up rug rats like rabbits, we wouldn't have overpopulation and wouldn't need this POS.

[awesomeman09]

why does it have to look like a gay space ship?

[darriusdadj]

What id like to know is how much of the $108,000 is the ACTUAL cost to build?

[pcgator2]

this would be perfect to navigate in cities like Lagos and cities in India

[jayholman1]

looks top heavy what is it like 3 feet wide.dont try any turns while your doin a hundred or youll have a $100k coffin

[zhutsell]

the center of gravity is 11 inches above the ground, the car weighs 3000+ lbs, and it has a nascar roll cage, so it's probably safer going 100 mph then 99% of all other cars on the road, at least when it comes to rollovers. Definitely wouldn't want to get hit by semi though.

[contigo121]

Who needs a car to go 130mph?

Doesn't that break the legal speed limit??

Besides - faster speed = more energy = more electricity = more costs = more greenhouse gas (from the powerstation)

[sf808080]

WTF? Electric cars don't use typical gas engine parts (i.e. no oil, no spark plugs, no fuel injectors, no headers, no mufflers, etc). There's more greenhouse emissions and it's more taxing on the environment to mine, produce, and especially maintain all the pieces in a gas engine. I know someone who installed solar panels (tax credit for the install and now gets checks from the power co.) and can recharge his car off the grid. Gas engines pollute the air and produce more waste. Period.

[sf808080]

BTW, my comment was aimed @ contigo121 and anyone else who wants to make the assumption that electric cars are more harmful for the environment. There is no rational argument that can be made against the efficiency and environmental benefits of an electric engine. Anything otherwise is an uninformed scare tactic.

[EmperorofCartoons]

@contigo121 No one does, thats the easy answer. No one needs a car that goes over the speed limit, certainly not 130 mph. No one needs those huge gas guzzling SUVs (Save perhaps certain workers and industries.). People do not need this crap. They are only endangering themselves, others, and the environment through these sorts of irresponsible choice.

They need to have the ability to make these choices for themselves taken away, as they have proven themselves incapable of making the correct ones

[St1ffM1st3r]

Did anyone stop to think that if you drove that car you could quite possible constantly look like you had a dildo in your ass? very, VERY gay.

[owr1]

I saw on the website that the tango will set you back for about $108,000.00!!!! damn that shit!

[gulistanpk]

what is its price?

[djinfo1]

how much and where do you get one

[jimprice09]

what the price for lithium battery kit??

[hotcowuk]

technically excellent but absolutely no style. Who'd want one of these hideously ungly machines. Plus, I'd probably sh*t myself if I was doing 130mph in this car! frightening thought.

[HazenMire]

I asked the same thing when I saw that Scion box van thing... and to my surprise there are a lot of people. So who knows how many people would actualy want one. I love the concept but I agree they dont look appealing at all.

[keysersoze16]

I am all for these cars that are going to be better for the environment, however this car I don't see will take off.

one major problem, most families today have more than one child, (a fairly big family) what do big families need? food? food = shopping, shopping = lots of bags, lots of bags + very small call = not good at all.

Maybe good for reducing size on the roads, but very pointless when it comes to transporting goods that the driver or families want.

[St1ffM1st3r]

Agree but you have to realize this car wasn't designed for the family, it was designed for the person who lives in California or around major cities - people with a commute.

[Popi133]

So much negativity..why not embrace change and see it's good points..The low center of gravity is one good point. Another is that a lot of people use their vehicles to and from work, or grocery stores (both small runs).

A negative is you have to create the energy you put into the cars batterys..how do you do that? Neuclear energy or coal burning plants? perhaps wind or tidal energy would do the trick..mother nature will work for us incessantly!

[drumzstix666]

wow everyone is complaining 'bout this car because of it fliping?! honestly thats sad, people should consider other factors like performance, efficiency etc... in my opinion though, people should buy the LUMENEO SMERA. The car is french, same concept, looks cooler, performs cooler, its not faster but it lasts longer and it starts at 15,000 pounds. Which in Canadian I have no idea or American. But its around 30k Canadian. I'm So getting it!

[fbhorton1990]

Just wait until a strong gust of wind hits the side of it. That short latitudinal wheelbase will provide no stability. It would flip.

[bramachari]

fb, do you really think the designer of this car is so stupid he didn't think of that? This car is almost impossible to flip.

The batteries are all in the floor of the car. They weigh a total of 2300 pounds. This car literally corners better than a Porche. You really need to watch more videos of it in action.

[PHOTOGRASPER]

@bramachari "The batteries ... weigh a total of 2300 pounds. This car literally corners better than a Porche."

You mean just any porshe, or like a real, actual, running porshe? OR a porsche with a trunk full of 2300 lbs of batteries? cuz um... I call BULLSHIT on that.

[ibeyoutu]

This looks great...in the back of a pickup.

[AxeDavy777]

Wha........why havent we heard of this before? I'm liking it for the most part, just a wee bit concerned when making sharp turns.

[AxeDavy777]

Never mind, it has 2000 lbs on the bottom, in another video the owner points out this car can park at a 45 degree angle tilted and still not fall over!

[kfaslf]

so small and gay

[Pizzattack]

i like the idea of not having to pay for gas, and saving the environment... but these look soooo gay, seriously.

[dbgtwill1]

its about the same width as a 4-wheeler and ive seen them take a turn at 53mph and not flip and its probably bottem heavy thats where i would put the batteries

[jesshwarren]

80mi on one charge. I can see the streets pluged up with dead cars. This will not replace the combution motor car at this rate.

[GTWCMT]

avg person drives 27 miles, Li-ion batteries would allwo the car to drive 150 miles..

anyway, its not the fastest as CLAIMED the tesla is the fastest car on the road at the mo.

[Ostemorder]

the white zombie(custom built) is 1-2 sec faster than the tesla on 400m. tesla 13-14sec white zombie 10-12sec.

[BeNGALi4LFE]

this goes about the same as a tesla roadster...its not the fastest. the tesla looks 100x better than this thing too! why does the majority of electric cars look like ugly toasters or other crap.

[M3anbone]

It needs to be a little wider... I'd say add another 1.5ft on both sides. Keep the ride as it is with the driver in center and you'll have a great car.

[zpauloa]

There are some people o realy don´t know!

they should trie to come to Europe and use a car made in USA... 1 or 2 days, and then this small cars would start to make a lot of sence.

Please do keap trying to emprove them and web sell it...

I up for one!

José

Portugal

[warriorboy1984]

lose the legs when crashed it lol, shit car really, wont recommend it, would rather drive a classic mini mate!

[tylerkb12]

Hell man you'd lose more than your legs! I agree about the mini part; it would have to feel a hell of a lot more stable than this thing. Look at how narrow it is you could put your arms around it! Topple over taking a turn at 15 mph!

[warriorboy1984]

hey man, thanks for your message, i'm glad you agree with me, this car on this clip.... unsafe, even if anything hits it lol

[dandersononutube]

All the batteries are on the bottom, so it's very stable. It can take corners at higher speeds than most regular cars. It has a sturdy safety cage similar to a race car. It's pretty safe.

[bronxboyXXX]

Unless its extreemly bottom heavy with such speed this car will kill many. I'm all for eletric cars but id slow this thing down allot.

[tuffness35]

skinny as hell...  i hope they all flip and burn

[A3X]

hahahhaha nice one!

[RickWoodbury]

The Tango is expensive because we have approximately $1M invested capital to date, compared with the average with $1.5-billion spent before the first one rolls off the assembly line. We have literally 1/1500th the capital needed to compete with regular cars. From speaking with low-production auto executives, we believe that with about $50M in capital we could reach a production rate of 10,000 per year which would make a $20k Tango possible. At present the Tango cost us over $100k to build.

[dinnison]

I am following the development of this car, especially now with people FINALLY realizing that oil may actually run out some day.

What kind of annual volume would be needed to get the cost down to ~$20k?

[BlueRSX]

I thoroughly enjoyed the video. The irony is that I made one myself which I've recently posted. I can't help but wonder how advancements in our society travel across borders merely by having a change of thought, collectively.

I look forward to seeing more...

Regards,

BlueRSX

Zero-Emission Entertainment

[whoybeen]

Im in the trades, I have my now honda fit, It pulls around tools that are in plastic boxes instead of tool boxes. And if one of the tango can come out reasonable priced i'd try to split the cost with a family member or buy it myself for the days when I drop off my tools off. But the long term plan is to pay off the fit and convert it to electric, it has the perfit interior and weight

[fukyuz101]

The EV-1 is slated to be re-released in 2010, although this on is neat the EV-1 is more practical. google who killed the electric car to see a functional electric car that was perfect for 80% of all people in 1996.

[withindarkness]

I have to second that...look into "Who killed the electric car"

[MaxAndrus]

I am excited for all of these new cars! If you own one please watch my video and send me an email!

[myko42233]

If you have 6 members in your family, what you gonna do? buy 3 of this car huh? Can this car increase the space on the road? yeah right!!

[chilli999]

yea what u said

[gartronics]

They are planning a model that sells for 18,000 u.s. dollars. It will only fail if nobody buys them. With gas prices today I don't think many people are gonna say "na I would rather keep paying 4 dollars a gallon. Soon all cars will be electric, mass produced and as affordable as any car you can buy today. with all the same capabilities, luxuries and with no exhaust to pollute the environment. I so want one. but I too have to wait. I encourage everyone to learn about electric cars.

[DSINKS]

Only $108 thousand dollars! Reserve yours today!!!

What a joke. Add this Company to yet another list of Epic E-car Failures....

[BlueRSX]

a joke? If you really think that a car company is offering something to reduce traffic congestion and increase our independency from foreign oil a joke, then I have to assume you may be out of touch with current events.

[DSINKS]

It seems I'm not the one out of touch......

It's $108k Man!

Yay! For it Reducing traffic Congestion and reducing our Foreign oil use. Again, Its a $108k Rinky Dink car that only a handful of people could even begin to think about affording. I Still predict a total failure for this company unless they can bring us something the majority of the public can use.

How About making a $20k car we can actually use.

[BlueRSX]

If you bothered to visit their website you'd realize that's actually their goal of mass-producing a version for $20k.

You would also have learned why they built a high-end model first.

[tuffness35]

exactly, you might as well just buy a motorcycle.

[energyrushtv]

Commuter Cars of Spokane, WA is accepting orders but they are still seeking full funding at this time.

[frankodelic]

Is this car available in the US today?