Comments on: Super Cute Electric Zero Emissions THINK car

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:13:32 +0000

Its cool, but anyone can build there own electric car. A lot of information on how to build an electric car, including cost cutting measures and design tips, can be found on Frank Didik’s website at: http://www.didik.com/didik_ev.htm. In particular, check out the section entitled “How to Build an Electric Car”, “Didik Turtle or How to build a two person electric vehicle in 14 hours” and “Critical and accurate assessment of electric vehicles”. He is the first to truly mention the pro’s and con’s of electric cars and an excellent history directory of electric cars, starting in the 1800’s. Many years ago, Didik was the found of the Electric Car Society.

By: Mai424

Mai424 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:16:56 +0000

I would love to see this blog do a more thorough discussion of what it means to be an electric car. Is an electric car truly zero emissions when the electricity to charge it comes from non-renewable sources, like coal burning electricity plants? Hardly.

By: Inhabitat » TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: The 80mph TRIAC Goes on Sale!

Inhabitat » TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: The 80mph TRIAC Goes on Sale! — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:45:15 +0000

[...] we love our public transportation here at Inhabitat, we cannot deny the allure of a zero-emission vehicle. We’re always excited to see more sustainable transportation options for consumers, [...]

By: PaTrond

PaTrond — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:37:43 +0000

Ford is not the owner of Think anymore. They vought it in 2001(I think) and sold it in 2004 back to Norway. Now It’s 100% Norwegian and the only car manifucturer we got left.

This current car is UGLY! But new is coming, saw a concept of it and it looks much better =) Forgot the name =/

By: THINK, el coche eléctrico que llega desde Noruega -- Tu Mundo es Online

THINK, el coche eléctrico que llega desde Noruega -- Tu Mundo es Online — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:22:42 +0000

[...] Nos hemos enterado leyendo el blog Inhabitat [...]

By: MBL

MBL — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:09:29 +0000

looks like a bit of shit. All plastic panels, hope its recycled materials/ recyclable after it gets smashed by a bmw. I really want a hybrid/electric/hydrogen/something green but this car is for more or a niche market. I like what Ford and Saturn are doing… making cars/ suv hybrids that people actually can get some real world use out of. Now if only they can increase the efficiency and lower costs. That would be a start.

By: Zero Energy and Green Building in New Homes | Super Cute Electric Zero Emissions THINK car

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:09:46 +0000

[...] (more…) [...]

By: SC

SC — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:59:31 +0000

I actually tried to drive 25 when dropping my son off at school. The posted speed limit the route is 25 mph most of the way, and 35 the rest. I impeded the flow of traffic the whole route, and I left before the morning rush. I was considering the Dynasty IT. They even sell a cute little electric truck.

By: mulad

mulad — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:12:49 +0000

Considering that you can get a Smart ForTwo or even a 5-door Aveo for nearly the same price as a ZENN, I don’t necessarily consider a ZENN to be cheap. This is mostly because it doesn’t have all of the safety features of a true car and hasn’t been through all of the crash testing that the Smart and Aveo have, so it’s limited to 25 mph and can only go on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or lower (though some places might have exceptions). Considering that many of the surface streets in my area have speed limits of 40 or 45 mph, I’d have to plan my routes carefully. If you can live with its limitations, then go ahead and get it, but it’s not for me.

Now, the Th!nk has been crash tested to some extent (though I’m not sure if it’s tested enough to get a rating yet). It’s got airbags, ABS brakes, and other true car features. It has a top speed of 65 mph, meaning that it could achieve the speed limit on any road within about ten miles of my home, and would still be legal on the rural Interstates in my region which go up to 70.

I’ve heard the Th!nk is going to be sold for £14,000 in the U.K. If you do a raw exchange rate, that works out to $27,784. Plus £100+ ($198+) a month for the battery rental. However, vehicle costs in the U.K. seem to vastly outstrip the exchange rate. For instance, the cheapest VW Jetta costs £15,105 in the U.K., while it goes for $16,990 here. While I doubt the Th!nk would quite follow that same pattern, I’d still expect it to have a base cost of $20,000 or less. Considering that maintenance costs would be virtually zero and fuel costs would be about 1/4 that of a Prius, it could work out to be pretty attractive to a lot of people. Still, I think I’d cringe a bit paying the battery fee each month since the fuel bill for my current car usually runs about $60 per month, (though my car cost about $24k)

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:13:04 +0000

I visited the local ZENN dealership in Mesa, Arizona and was told that due to the fact that the cars had to be registered as golf carts, they were adjusted to only go 25 mph. This is the only electric car I have found that has air conditioning (a must in Arizona) and all I get is the run around. My insurance says they will cover it IF I can get it registered as a street car but of course I can’t. I’ve written to my State representatives asking what the are doing about this situation (obviously nothing as they has been the level of response). I will keep writing – I think the newspaper is next. I know Americans are famous for I WANT IT AND I WANT IT NOW – guess I am truly an American. I really don’t like being told I can’t have an electric car (unless it is made by GM and we all know about GM and killing the electric car). Where is the free economy???

By: michael bailey

michael bailey — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:07:04 +0000

Oh by the way, there is a speed restriction with these cars. And they are not expensive- just around $12,000.00

By: michael bailey

michael bailey — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:04:27 +0000

Ther is a quebec made electric car now available in the US- it is called the ZENN (zero emissions no noise)

Here is the web link

http://www.zenncars.com/

By: Robin Capper

Robin Capper — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:20:24 +0000

Except they are very epensive, and not very good.

By: Bart Ziegler

Bart Ziegler — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:40:41 +0000

Pressure the oil companies.
Tax the oil companies.
charge the oil companies for pumping oil from federal lands
Chevron sits on an electric car NOW, certainly cheaper than $30,000 usa

By: Hugo

Hugo — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:28:08 +0000

Nice, now that’s some serious piece of design. I’d love to have one, and I’m a huge fan of the Otto engine (this in combination with my preference for green design is killing me). A great looking green aternative. But, indeed, if the car is 20.000 euro’s it would be to expensive, also for me, and thus killing it’s own market. Too bad…