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Wheego Whip electric car coming to America in May for $19K
This tiny, all-electric Wheego Whip minicar is destined for U.S. shores this May, beating out a gaggle of other electric cars that might not even make it here by the end of 2010. The $19K plug-in Whip goes 50 miles per charge with a 60 mph top speed, and judging from the performance of its prototype in the video after the jump, its acceleration and speed appear to be sufficiently sprightly for American roads.
The catch? It'll be limited to a poky 35 mph until the U.S. government checks its crashworthiness, and will be designated a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) until it gets its U.S. mommy's approval. That might not happen until, alas, the seemingly magic date for electro-cars: 2010.
Built by Shuanghuan Automobile in China, the Whip's body will be familiar to Chinese drivers — it's known as an E-Noble in its native land. It's hard to believe this car will be available for sale in 50 dealers three months from now. Given the sorry shape of the U.S. auto industry, this microcar might whip a few car companies into shape.
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Via Autobloggreen, Wired, and Trendhunter
By Skoal at 6:18 PM ON 02/18/09
Given that most asians are small I wonder if there will be
ample room for two "robust" americans?
By Skoal at 6:23 PM ON 02/18/09
Oh yes, American's are NOT gonna give our car industry
to China too? Are we that foolish?
By Old Man Dotes at 6:48 PM ON 02/18/09
Detroit is that foolish. For decades, Detroit has been making cars that only the richest (or stupidest) ten percent of Americans can afford to operate. The rest of us have *had* to buy Japanese or Korean cars, because keeping an American-made car running costs more than the
mortgage.
So, if "Americans" (notice no apostrophe - it's a plural, not a possessive) are that foolish, it's the American auto makers' CEOs who made us that way, by deciding not to complete with affordable, reliable cars made in Asia.
By namelessme at 7:54 PM ON 02/18/09
I don't get the arbitrary speed limit? What the hell does this have to go no faster than 35 mph? More stupid american legislation designed to keep electric automobiles 'unconventional'. The thing is they would be DAMN conventional if the lawmakers stopped imposing such strict limitations on them.
By Smurf at 9:27 PM ON 02/18/09
This is stupid. Why pay 19K for something that only goes 50 miles and 60 miles an hour when you can buy a chevy aveo that gets 35-40 mpg and goes as fast as you need for a freeway, carry four people and some gear all for $9500 off the lot.
By Yogurt at 11:39 PM ON 02/18/09
@Smurf: Drive an Aveo for a while and you'll realise why GM is having a hard time. Even when they get the price right they still can't produce a car anybody wants. Instead of an Aveo, you're much better off buying an Accent or a Rio. Same price range, better car.
For electric vehicles to sell in America, they need a boost. Let's make them not require auto insurance. "Save gas and insurance money" would be one heck of a slogan.
By tobi at 4:37 AM ON 02/19/09
This car also looks familiar to anyone who has ever seen the SMART (Mercedes) in action, too.
By cvc at 8:58 AM ON 02/19/09
I wonder if Smart has anything to do with this and if they don't why does this car look like a flattened one?
By bizzl at 12:33 PM ON 02/19/09
@CVC: It's a chinese copy of the Smart. The only thing Smart GmbH has to do with it is that they sued the european importer to death ^^
By Akito38A at 6:23 PM ON 02/19/09
Ok so they are going to limit it to 35 miles an hour because they are concerned about safety? but its perfectly okay for motorcycles to drive 75 miles an hour on the freeway. And in this state they don't even have to wear a helmet by law.
car isn't for me. only 50 miles on one charge is crappy. I would more than likely end up stranded.
By ray at 2:10 AM ON 02/21/09
Electric cars like this one are selling for about $400 in china. Even a electric bike is worth more than that. It's more like a toy than a real car. You know what I am talking about if you have a car accident and you happen to drive this car.
By HowardG at 7:07 AM ON 03/08/09
Err Skoal if you're American you don't have a car industry. Perhaps you've missed the latest legislation - the gov't bailed out US car manufacturers for BILLIONS because they are greedy, arrogant, outdated and plain stupid. And to save thousands of imperative jobs to keep workers and families eating.
Simply look at how long Europe has been using small cars!
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HowardG:
Err Skoal if you're American you don't have a car industry. Perhaps you've missed the latest legislation - the gov'...More »