View Full Version : Newest alé to be series hybrid
http://www.fuelvaporcar.com/assets/images/TheCar3.jpg
The alé is one of the 3-wheeled vehicles I've been keeping tabs on. While perusing their site the other day, I noticed that they are working on a series hybrid prototype for the X-Prize competition. They were able to achieve up to 92 MPG with their fuel vapor technology alone, as well as 0-60 times of @ 5 secs while being able to pull up to 1.7g on the skidpad!
They expect the performance of their newest prototype to be "far better" than what they've done so far.
The only downside will be price. These guys aren't stupid on the marketing end either... they've noticed that, while Porsche sells many less cars than Toyota, they make on average 100 times more profit on each one. The first production models will be handmade and Very Expensive. Personally, I think they're going to have a tough time selling these for Porsche prices, but they are claiming blistering performance... as always, the marketplace will decide.
You can read more here: Fuel Vapor Car.com (http://www.fuelvaporcar.com/index.html)
Miracleman89
08-16-2008, 10:31 PM
Heck the last I had heard they were looking to sell these for $100,000 or more!
In the final analysis, they'll sell them for as much as the market will bear... and no more. They're really going to have to "class up" the interior from the early prototype pics I saw if they want to come close to Porsche prices. I don't begrudge them making a profit, but if they don't want to be another Carver and sell 100/year, they may have to re-think their profit margins.
BTW, when I was a senior in HS, in 1972, you could buy a brand new 911S for about $12,000.
As mentioned back in August, The series hybrid is ready for the X-Prize competition, and it does indeed have "far better" performance. It also has a new website: Future Vehicle Technologies (http://www.futurevehicletechnologies.com)
This is what these "6 guys in a garage" have come up with since August.
Shhhh.... don't clap too loudly... you'll wake up the guys at Persu.
Derwin
04-05-2009, 07:23 AM
BTW, when I was a senior in HS, in 1972, you could buy a brand new 911S for about $12,000.
RAN, when you were a senior in HS, $12,000 was the equivalent of about $100,000 today, wasn't it! LOL!
Seriously, though, I like the vehicle. It's just too bad these things can't be made so that the "average Joe" can buy 'em. When is a company going to step up and produce LOW COST vehicles like this?
Derwin
When is a company going to step up and produce LOW COST vehicles like this?
It's new technology Derwin. New technology is never cheap. Look how long it's taken for widescreen tvs to get down to where "average Joes" can buy them.
Like Tesla, these guys are going for the higher dollar performance market, and in that context, the eVaro will be a bargain if it sells in the $60,000 range, compared to $110,000 for a Tesla Roadster (they are going to have to do a lot better interior than they have on the alé prototypes to get that kind of money though).
The MPGe numbers on the eVaro are impressive, even factoring in what might be "creative calculations" on their part. I bet the fuel vapor engine in this will get a lot better gas mileage than either the Volt or the Fisker Karma, and it has a 100 mile All Electric Range and high performance to boot.
These guys could very well take their class in the X-Prize competition. They also plan to get production going by the time the competition is over.
Looks like Canada raised the bar, ey?
Derwin
04-05-2009, 08:14 AM
It's new technology Derwin. New technology is never cheap. Look how long it's taken for widescreen tvs to get down to where "average Joes" can buy them.
Yep, your right about that. I remember when you couldn't even THINK about getting "big screen" televisions because the price was just way too high. Now you can go to Best Buy and pick one up for under $1,000.
I think it's great that companies like this are at least "paving the way" with this new technology. Like you said, this kind of thing always STARTS OUT on the high-end, but always comes down as time goes by.
I guess I just wish "new technology" could be cheap right out of the box, but I guess that's just a pipe dream!
Derwin
rogwild
04-05-2009, 08:18 AM
Yep, looks like companies or small builders like FVT, Lightning Hybrids, Revolution Motors, and others have been BUILDING the LH3, Aptera, Raven, Ale', Dagne, Tesla, etc. over the past two years, while VV/PM 'appears' to be standing still (or even 'backing up') with their SILENT TREATMENT. A very 'strange' strategy in these financial times; when it seems that they should be seeking publicity to gain investors for funding to go into PRODUCTION.
Why does it always have to be the ONE I like the BEST, that has to be 'dragging their heels'?:(
I guess I just wish "new technology" could be cheap right out of the box, but I guess that's just a pipe dream!
The sooner this kind of technology gets out in the marketplace, the sooner the prices will come down, and, like you Derwin, that can't happen too soon for me!
Why does it always have to be the ONE I like the BEST, that has to be 'dragging their heels'?:(
I hear ya Rog. You want to find the slowest moving checkout line in any grocery store? Just get behind me. du:n:n:o(
rogwild
04-05-2009, 08:57 AM
The sooner this kind of technology gets out in the marketplace, the sooner the prices will come down, and, like you Derwin, that can't happen too soon for me!
Just basic business/marketing; new products/companies try to 'Skim the Cream', ie. get the most money from those that HAVE IT and can afford to purchase. They then set their prices lower to 'reel in' the rest of us, although their profit margins are lower they are still making money, and can save some more by mass production and 'economy of scale'. Some 'pearls of wisdom'; from the cobwebs of Econ 101.gath:er:2
danbucks
04-05-2009, 01:22 PM
The trouble with cars is: unlike almost every other high tech market that I can think of (computers are the most obvious), the "high end" doesn't have inherent value - or rarely. That is to say, a $100,000 tesla - given its price - doesn't fill an actual need on the road, but rather a desire.
Tata motors is showing - or daring to show - that in this market starting cheap is possible. Perhaps superior (well, with my vote if they actually do go green, with MDI or any other alternative engine that can actually start on the cheap end).
Re: the eVaro. Do they sell a booster seat? Um, I am not sure I can see over that dashboard. LOL. dr:ive1)
pharuan
11-09-2009, 04:11 PM
The eVaro got a little press today from one of my favorite daily sites, Inhabitat.
Pretty little thing. (http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/09/275-mpg-evaro-electric-vehicle-goes-from-0-to-60-in-5-seconds/)
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