Green Wheels: StreetScooter Electric Vehicle

In today’s day and age, pollution control has become an absolute necessity, and to contribute in its own way, the automobile sector came up with vehicles that have minimum to nil emission. No-emission vehicles are usually run on electricity or hydrogen, or on a hybrid engine, but to couple these qualities with speed and comfort calls for a rather heavy budget, which is not exactly what the common man can afford with ease. To solve this problem, a group of firms has come together to build an electric vehicle, the StreetScooter, that seats two people and has a moderate speed range, but it comes at almost one fourth the cost of a regular high end EV. Now people have something to look forward to.

StreetScooter electric vehicle

The Green Machine

The StreetScooter has been designed with the common man in mind. Though the maximum speed that it can go up to is about 74 mph, and the maximum distance it is capable of covering is 80 miles, this EV is definitely set out to surprise all of those who have been planning for ages altogether to get themselves an electric vehicle. Being an electric version of the smart car, this wonder child is priced at $7000, which is a lot lesser than the average Roadster. Another amazing fact about the manufacturing of this EV is that creating it hasn’t been the effort of just one or two companies, but over fifty firms, including engineering firms, auto part suppliers and electronics companies, that have come together for this project.

Green Factor

Apart from being a car that resolves conflicts with the environment, this car has made sure that the usual top-down approach is packed and locked away in a cupboard. There is no hierarchy; there are just several teams working together with each other, each team consisting of experts in a certain area and so concentrating on one aspect of the manufacturing process. This way, nobody works for anybody - everybody works with everyone else, making life simpler.

The Powertrain

The fact that this car happens to be a compact and low price version of the regular electric vehicle makes it sound like it’ll have a complex structure, the truth behind is that in spite of being small and compact, this car’s body also happens to have a modular structure, which gives one the flexibility to change the body style later on. Though, at present, the StreetScooter is only a two seater, there are plans in the future of the development of a utility van and a convertible. And this isn’t where the fun ends. Not only does the body have a flexible design, but also the way the parts are attached. The car’s designed in such a way, that one has the choice to change parts at his own accord. Even the batteries that the StreetScooter will use will be leased, so one won’t have to worry about buying expensive batteries if ever the need arises. After its unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show, this vehicle is estimated to cost around €5000, and is set to start buzzing on German Roads somewhere in 2013.

Picture Gallery

StreetScooter electric vehicle

Compatible with highway safety laws and provide a top speed around 74 miles per hour

The advantages that the StreetScooter comes with are many, the very first one being that the price is fixed at a rate which would attract the larger masses. This would make sure that a large percentage of people are able to have access to a Green vehicle, which would in turn make sure that emissions take a nose dive. So it’s not just giving everybody a green car, but also a rather healthy environment to live in. Advantage No.3 would be the easy and flexible design around which the car is built, which ensures easy assembly and maintenance – another reason why it has a better chance at becoming a favourite.

The Lows

There are two major points of disappointment – number one is that the maximum speed that this car reaches is about 74 mph, and number two- one may be required to lease two or three batteries, because one battery can last only up to about 28 miles. Though the batteries being leased may solve the problem of buying new ones, it still holds on to the fact that every time there’s a need for a new battery, one must lease a new one. The car would only be a toy without it.

Cost and Availability

The StreetScooter is all set to start selling in Germany by 2013. Priced at €5000, which comes close to $7000, it offers one an affordable vehicle for journeys that are not very long. Once it starts selling in Germany, the next stop would be the US, where it is expected to start selling somewhere in the later half of 2013.