[azsmartcar]

Here is my topic on Earth Day I will reveal a 320 mile fully electric smart car.
check it out I would love to hear your thoughts
www.azsmartcar.com

[Coley]

I would like to see more info on the batteries and the motor....

[xrotaryguy]

Uh... isn't this what Zap was trying to do? And isn't Diamler Benz suing them for it right now? I don't think this is such a good idea.

[JRP3]

Sounds interesting but we definitely need more information. Motor, controller, batteries, etc.

[retrodog]

I'll take one.

I'd really like a Zap Alias but who knows if that will ever get into production.

Oh, and I read "Min. Deposit" as "Mini Deposit" which seemed appropriate.

[mstalanon]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/04/think-to-bring.html

It'll be here in late 2009 for far less than the other people who were first advertised on it.

[Mannyman]

Smart and Think are different companies and different cars.

[rbgrn]

I actually really like this car. I'd love to test drive one.

[Wirecutter]

If what I've seen/researched so far is true, this will be my next car purchase. That's a mighty big "if", however. The batteries used in this vehicle are "Nano Titanate" types made (or should I say, hyped) by Altair Nanotechnologies in Arizona. Now I bring you a quote from their FAQ:

(Altairnano's division of...)
Power & Energy Systems, Frequently Asked Questions

Altairnano batteries for EV conversion
Q: I am converting my car into an electric or hybrid vehicle and would like to use Altairnano batteries for the conversion. Are the batteries available to consumers?
A: Altairnano is providing its nano Titanate batteries only to commercial entities whose projects prove to be an ideal match with Altairnano technology.

Consumer availability
Q: When will Altairnano batteries be available for consumer use?
A: At this point in time, Altairnano is focusing on commercial markets such as automotive, truck, and bus OEM's and stationary power applications. In the future, Altairnano batteries will be available for purchase by consumers; however, Altairnano does not currently have projections as to when that may be. Please continue to check the Altairnano web site for updates regarding product availability.

How to purchase
Q: Who should I contact to purchase Altairnano batteries?
A: Currently all Altairnano batteries must be purchased directly through Altairnano.

Desire to become a distributor
Q: Is it possible for me to become a distributor of Altairnano batteries?
A: Altairnano is not seeking independent distributors at this time. In the future as demand grows the need for a global distribution network will exist. Please continue to check the Altairnano web site for updates regarding the need for distributors.

Further research shows that Altairnano is hemmoraging money, and probably has no production capability for this wonderous new technology. They may have a prototype or two, and they've apparently gotten some funding for now, but I doubt seriously that they can produce their battery products in any kind of volume. I'm not saying the technology doesn't work, but if you have a product, let's see it. Enough of the hype.

Is anyone else frustrated by companies like this?

Ok, I guess the Tesla Roadster is possible, but their hype has gone on for years now, and they've yet to produce 5 vehicles for actual customers. Never mind how long these first customers have waited after paying $110K in full, up front.

Ditto AC Propulsion. In order to get one of their systems, you have to know the secret handshake.

AC Propulsion power systems and components are available to bona fide vehicle converters, manufacturers, and R&D programs.

Although we do not provide support for do-it-yourself EV builders at this time, we do encourage EV enthusiasts interested in building an electric vehicle to check out these sources of hardware and information.

It must be nice to have a company so awash in money that you can be fussy about who you allow to be customers. [edit] Or to be able to afford to invest in these companies.

-Mark

[retrodog]

The only problem that I see with the smart car is that it doesn't really protect the occupants from secondary impacts very well. The frame is a nice strong cage that seems to stand up to a lot of pressure/impact, but without having the normal lengthy frontend of a regular to act as a big shock absorber, you don't really have much to spare you from near-infinite g-forces.

Well, in any case, I'd still love to drive one around.