Electric Car - The Kurrent - SpartanEdge Test Drive

[amielem]

Show the instrument use, stu....cameraman!!!......The functionssss, details!!!

[wileycsg]

hey! cut out the backgroung noise dude.

[xjet]

Looks like some suspension wouldn't go amiss.

[peestandingup]

Hey, do any of you Kurrent owners know if the 35mph speed is governed?? A lot of these EVs are actually able to go faster if you remove the governor on the engines.

[mrduck0409]

The Kurrent and other similar NEV's (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) are limited to 35 MPH such that they don't have to pass all conventional car safety standards. They fall under FMVSS 500, which at least makes them have windshields, lights, a horn, seat belts, turn signals and brake lights, but not side impact protection, nor bumper standards, or other standards required by conventional cars. They can only operate on roads marked 35 MPH or less, OR they can run on UNmarked unpaved roads.

[jhuredhead3211]

Mu Kurrent car is terrific here in Baltimore City. 'm the 31st Low Speed Vehicle owner in the entire state of Maryland. Stop paying the gas companies.

[justeyeme]

It is intended to complement your car for short trips. Saving you gas, parking, car mileage and the environment.

I'll drive 15 miles to the Ferry, then take the ferry into SF

If only I could drive it onto the ferry!!!

I still love my BMW SUV.

[victorgrigas]

Does it have the option of a stereo?

[justeyeme]

Mine is coming with a stereo...

can't wait.

[jayandersons]

top speed 35 mph range 30 miles not good try litham battres.

[jhuredhead3211]

Hi There:

I just bought a Kurrent.

On the truck coming from the Kirkland, WA dealer I visited.

I'd love to replace the four lead-gel batteries. Like switching to a light-weight lithium battery. I'd LOVE to learn how to switch to that battery style for my Kurrent.

Thanks, Jay

Baltimore City

[victorgrigas]

does it have a stereo or the option of one?

[MPaulHolmes]

50 miles, not 30! naughty! and by the way, it's lithium. lithium ion batteries are REALLY expensive.

[Qdos]

These have been available in the UK for quite some time if you want one google Electrica

[Msalazar6sicVI]

OMG I gotta buy one of those...ugh too bad they put in a heater instead of air conditioning, it'd suck during summer here in phoenix! well if they have a heater im sure they can put in A/C right? right??

[tribluered]

This car looks like crap. Go to lionev website. They got Sedan, SUV, and Trucks. 100% electric. Cost about $30K.

[gogreen61]

OK,you critics need to realize that you have already made lifestyle choices based on cheap energy and a complete disregard for how your wasteful use of carbon based fuels impacts other people and our planet. If you live 30 miles from work, you're right, this car won't work for you. But if you live in the innercity where your work, shopping, and entertainment trips are within 5 miles from where you live, this is a perfect solution for your daily travel needs.

[bucqui]

Cogent analysis well put.  Bravo.

[JohnPaul2006]

Actually the best solution is a bicycle with a detachable trailer. Of course this car is a good solution for people with physical limitations. If you haven't already, please go to or investigate Amsterdam someday. You'll see 90 year old grandmas in dresses riding their bicycles, a heart-warming sight indeed, like something out of Dr. Seuss. Almost everyone is on bicycles there.

[bangzilla]

i am a fan of EV's but i really dont understand why you would have an electric car for the states designed in italy. Its clear that this car would sell in Italy (all the cars in italy are tiny) but here in the states? not a chance.

it would have made ALOT more sense to have chosen a design firm in the USA who knows what the AMERICAN public want and need in a car. not what Italian citizens want

[sam66205]

It's time for a change people, Wake up!

[jhuredhead3211]

I bought a Kurrent.

I have a 3-mile commute.

Bye-Bye unreliable bus system.

Jay- Baltimore City

[Shadyhunter04]

Yeah, both the range and size are practical there, but here in houston you would probably get your ass run over by anything bigger than an SUV. And man does this city have shit tons of commercial trucks. The distance not enough also for the huge commutes we have.

[tribluered]

Get a Real EV at Lionev website. Sedans, SUVs, and Trucks. Cost about $30-40K. Max tested range 456 miles.

[JohnDeBunkTest]

We can do better than this golf cart. The NEV thing is a joke to keep electric cars off the market.

[liftdoctor]

I wish these people well, but this car will never sell, not at 50 miles per charge,they have the technology for 250 miles, why not use it !

[gunifigoo]

yeah, definitely a "maybe someday" delaying tactic car, with a lame interviewer who says "Cool!" and "All right!" or sometimes both whenever he's digging for another question. And in the beginning of the interview, couldn't they have talked someplace quieter? High school film studies students could kick this guy's ass!

[smartjunkie]

for all these ppl who comments where stupid u suck big time . Oh yes it may look different but I would love to buy one and I now leave in Nz. Born In LA and living in a country with clean air and more sheep then ppl it . it realy stupid to be complaining about what it looks like then hw good is about saving wat is left of the Envoriment. Easy analf to use around campus or go to Market suits me fine. :)

[tribluered]

Why do the NEVs look like complete crap? When people that convert a gas car to electric for about 6k, can do freeway speeds and same range. I mean they can also put in an additional 8-9k, get 200-300 miles (in the ev converts).

Whats with all the NEV companies producing garbage electric cars? They are ruining the electric car reps.

[fixman88]

I live in East Texas where such a vehicle would not only be impractical but dangerous (people around here would knock you into a ditch and keep going!) I would have loved to have had an EV1 but of course they crushed them all. As for the Volt, I'll just have to wait and see.

[slipmatwax]

drives the kids to school? dont you mean KID

[pkofiarbo]

you really could have done a better job.... completely crap car

[wascillywabbit]

you are a CRAP company, I bet you are an oil backed concern - someone is paying you to make CRAP ELECTRIC CARS.

TESLA ROCKS!

[16sag7]

Who in the hell want a car like this? I want an EV car but I want to get where I am going fast and in style. Tesla motors will show all these guys how it done.

[DuncanDonuts3]

I'm with isaacstephen. This car is worthless.

I want a Tesla.

[isaacstephen]

Looking at this makes me think that it is a ploy by the motor industry to turn people AWAY from electric cars by making them look dinky, slow, and just plain impractical. I am glad that someone is putting some time and energy into electric cars, as they use far less energy than conventional cars, but I must say what I see here is in no way going to be a viable alternative for SUV loving americans

[ImYourLastResort]

I would kind of agree. I wonder what's going on when there are hobbyists coverting their utes and passenger cars to electric for about the same cost as this thing - yet they don't look silly or have the lowly performance.  35mph and 50 mile range you say?

[racuti1]

It's obvious that all of you guys are on the sidelines and don't have a real clue about EV's. Mine is a converted '74 Beetle and it maxes out at 70 mph and has a range of almost 50 miles on LEAD batteries. It's my daily driver (on the highway) for work. I've bought gas once for my other car in 2 months. You don't NEED 300 miles' range. Just plug it in ANY time that it sits idle. (at work, at the mall shopping,etc) I've never come close to running out of juice.

[XCritonX]

What is your Battery-Motor-controller combo?

With or without transmission?

What was your car weight minus the IC equipment?

What is your weight with batteries?

[mikoguy]

I just don't understand why they make electric vehicles either too cheap or too expensive. If they just made a $15k-$25k vehicle, it would compete with the Camrys, Accords, and Altimas. Target the most common consumer!

[scorpionkings]

Your wrong about the price! Keep them low in price but increase driving distance. For me I would need at least a 100miles b4 a recharge, I think today is a great time to start mass producing electric cars. OH and the car need to go much faster than 35 mph, at least do the maximum speed 55 to 65 mph.

[lue1975lue]

Small wheels, noisy, but great idea!

[mastang981]

Its a nice idea but it can not replace the normal car. I want something which has a range of 300 miles on a charge. But would like to buy it so that more people research on it and finally we get independent of Oil.

[gerfriedc]

if you ride 300 miles in one piece ok- but otherwise fast charging of LiPolyIon will give you the possibility to recharge quickly...

[DerVampyrEngel]

Er what about Lithum Ion Batteries or Ni Mh batteries? lead acid batteries are crap

[ambradfo]

TOTALLY AWESOME!! This is my dream. I will own one.

[scorpionkings]

I would love to have one of these cars too, but the 35 mph and only a 50 mile range just doesn't cut for me.

[alcram]

Another punishment car. Tesla, Aptera, ultracapacitors, ac propulsion, uqm motors, 250 miles range, 0-60 in 4 secs 130mph. Why don't they use the effort on performance. We have the technology. You want to import Italian? Aprilia Magnet.

[kosmosleha]

This car looks too simple. Like a golf cart. I want something like a race car that runs on electricity.

[gerfriedc]

if you have the money you might buy the tesla- once upon a time ypu will end all bound to a chinese battery in flames rushing to the horizon - if God will - if he won't you will end up begging for peanut oil for your fuel guzzlers ;-)

[patballentine]

Great!

[iween]

i want a 4 seater!

[gerfriedc]

you will get it since they have announce to do one...