Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, MPG
Electric Vehicles in Depth, Part II: NmG, An EV for the Rest of Us
(Read part one of this article here)
George Clooney recently bought an electric vehicle for $108K. The vehicle, a Tango, is good for freeway speeds and stout 0-60 times. But what about the rest of us who dine at restaurants with signs that tout "4 billion served" rather than 4 stars? Can we only dream about owning an EV with that kind of performance? Take heart, prospective electric vehicle owners. Myers Motors of Tallmadge, Ohio has turned that dream into an EV you can afford.
The Myers Motors answer to an EV enthusiast's prayer is the NmG (No More Gas). This high-tech marvel whizzes along on three wheels, 500+ lbs. of batteries, and a torquey electric motor. Unlike the seemingly endless parade of tempting prototype electric vehicles powered by fuel cells, this little EV is being produced right now - not 5 years from now. You can pick up the phone and order one today, not mañana. Best of all, it doesn't cost $108K. I saw it, touched it, smelled it and heard it - a pleasant, space age, whiny sort of hum. Eerie. Heck, I even drove it and talked face-to-face with the president of the company.
After I concluded my interview with Dana Myers, CEO of Myers Motors, he asked me rather off-handedly if I'd like to drive one. I feigned mild interest. What I really wanted to say was "Geez, are you kidding. Here, take my first-born. Just chuck me the keys!" One minute into the test drive, I realize this ain't no golf cart. The NmG I drove that day may be titled, licensed, and insured as a motorcycle, but it accelerates like a muscle car. Or maybe it just feels that way because you're so close to ground. Regardless, it's one fun ride. Maneuverability and handling are off the charts. Parking? You could park it on your front porch if you could get up the steps. Promotional potential? Slap your company logo on an NmG and your whole town will be talking about your business. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How in the name of Alessandro Volta did a California-designed EV make its way to Akron, Ohio?
Take These Bankrupt Wings and Learn to Fly
Savvy readers may recognize the NmG as a remake of the late, lamented Corbin Motors Sparrow EV (more on that below). "Lamented" because a variety of electronic and mechanical ills in early Sparrow EVs plus financial woes forced Corbin Motors into bankruptcy in 2003 after 285 vehicles were produced. This orphaned an active, dedicated, and vocal group of Sparrow owners. Enter Dana Myers, kind of an EV version of Lee Iacocca, the guy who turned around Chrysler when it was teetering on the edge of the abyss in pre-DaimlerChrysler days. Myers saw potential in the broken and battered reputation of the little EV and resolved to buy up the remaining inventory and assets of Corbin Motors and nurse the Sparrow back into the air. The sale was completed in 2004. Myers saw his mission as not merely to resurrect the Sparrow, but to remodel it. He sagely asserted, "It's easier and cheaper to improve upon an existing design, than to start from scratch."
Unlike most movie sequels, this remake of the Sparrow is WAY better than the original. As Myers tells the story from the vantage point of May 2006, "We sold a couple of vehicles, then we needed to bring them back because we discovered things that still weren't proper. We decided to go over the vehicle from top to bottom and get it right. It took us 18 months to do it, but the NmGs we've sold since then are doing beautifully." Here's a partial list of Myers Motors' re-engineering efforts:
- Eliminated radio interference
- Modified the motor
- Switched to a "Zilla" controller (the most respected name in the industry)
- Improved the fit and finish overall, especially around doors and windshield
- Optimized the charging algorithm of Zivan charger to prevent overheating batteries
- Included a "pulse charge" at end of charge cycle to reduce sulfation of batteries
- Included a 25 mile battery break-in before leaving the factory
- Had batteries checked for equal charge to eliminate weak cells that would reduce battery life
- Limited amp draw on the road to 300 amps to improve longevity of batteries.
The NmG Prequel - Development of the Sparrow
The original concept of the Corbin Sparrow EV, the NmGs predecessor, was solid: reduce body mass, reduce rolling resistance and pare aerodynamic drag down to a bare minimum without compromising safety. Working as a team, these measures give an electric drive train a fighting chance at good performance. It's simple physics: less mass and wind resistance = quicker acceleration and better range.
The Sparrow was the brainchild of Mike Corbin, a longtime motorcycle fanatic, inventor, and designer. In 1974, Mike set a land speed record of 165.367 mph on a custom built electric motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It is a speed record in that class that stands to this day. Corbin is a household word to anyone who owns a hog - as in Harley. The company is closely associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles, and Corbin is the largest aftermarket motorcycle seat manufacturer in the world. Corbin sponsors a program on the Speed channel, "Corbin's Ride On", and even has published a biography (for sale on the Corbin website). The first Sparrow built, a yellow Alpha Sparrow, was unveiled at the San Francisco Auto Show on April 1, 1996. It was a huge hit and orders started to come in even though production had yet to begin.
I first heard about the Corbin Sparrow in a February 1997 issue of "Current Events" (catchy title), the newsletter of the Electric Auto Association. Mike Corbin was quoted in that issue as saying, "The Sparrow is a niche vehicle designed for commuters. We're not trying to replace the family car". At that time, I owned an electric vehicle. No, not that swoopy, EV1 from General Motors (now the E85 people). I drove a (wait for it) Lectric Leopard. How geek squad can you get? That's a story for another time. Suffice it to say for now, it was a Renault "LeCar" (an "R5" in Europe) that had its internal combustion engine guts unceremoniously yanked out and replaced with a Baldor electric motor and Exide batteries. With 1980's electronics, it performed like a 1920's model T. I measured 0-60 times in minutes rather than seconds. I never got a speeding ticket although I did get a ticket for ignoring a stop sign once. The performance specs of the Sparrow were Ferrari-like in comparison. I lusted in my heart for one so I sent in my $1,000 deposit for vehicle number 25 of the yet-to-be-manufactured Sparrow's first production run. I have the VISA receipt to prove I ain't just blowing smoke up your electrode. I talked several times with Mike's son, Tom, while patiently waiting for my Sparrow to arrive. After waiting patiently for a year and wading patiently through a string of broken promises (e.g. "They'll be rolling out next month."), I got my deposit back. The first Sparrows touched down about a year after that. Talk about a long gestation period. If you're interested, there is a private website, CorbinSparrow, (not affiliated or sanctioned by the company) with more details about the history of the Sparrow.
Fast Forward to Myers Motors
So the NmG (No More Gas) is a much-improved Sparrow. I guess the NmG moniker had more appeal than BTS (Better Than Sparrow). The Myers Motors product benefits from all the Corbin research and development plus real road experience gained by owners of the Sparrow EV. Corbin reputedly spent $10-$15 million on development. Myers Motors has certainly upped the ante by several million more. In the end, it's the NmG owner who reaps the benefits. The NmG is a mature and well-developed electric vehicle since this is essentially the fourth year of production. I won't bore you with too much detail, but here are a few key points:
• All-weather driving, fully enclosed and heated interior • heater, power windows, CD player • Single passenger • 3 wheels • disc brakes • 30 mile range • Built-in charger for pack of 13 Optima Blue Top batteries • 6 cubic feet of luggage space (about 1 grocery cart's worth) • 112 inches long, 52 inches wide, 57 inches high • 70-75 mph top speed • 0-30 in less than 3.5 seconds • weighs 1,400 lbs. • cost $24,900
Here is the most interesting specification. A gasoline vehicle that gets 40 mpg (think Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic Hybrid) costs 7.5 cents per mile in fuel when gas is $3 a gallon. The NmGs charging costs are an unbelievable penny per mile at typical utility rates (6 cents per kilowatt hour)! Take that, hybrid hypesters. Even a so-called plug-in hybrid getting an effective 120 mpg would still be more than twice as costly as the NmG to fuel. Impressive.How About You?
Would you be happy with an NmG? If you want to: promote your business, stick it to the evil petroleum empire, like the convenience of home "refueling", need to commute about 20 miles or less to work (and you have access to a 110V outlet at work to recharge), want to use the HOV lane on the freeway, already own a second car suitable for long trips or heavy hauling, value the environmental benefits of a zero-emissions vehicle, travel alone for most of your local driving, would enjoy the fun and adventure of a unique niche vehicle, then the NmG from Myers Motors is your electronic ticket. Plug-and-play, baby. It will put a smile on your face, a patriotic flag in your hand and breathing room in your fuel budget.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 5)
Maria 10:22PM (7/17/2006)
I LOVE the idea of an electric car. I understand this is a new concept (relatively speaking), but if companies (like the Big 3) can see clearly to make an electric car and possibly charge about the price of a Yaris/Cobalt maybe more people would be prone to purchase an electric car and hey, we would be purchasing more U.S. made cars, and working on a better environment. Unfortunately, we Americans like things super-sized.
However, if this company would cut the cost of their car in half as well as do work on improving the battery shelf life then I bet you would see these cars everywhere. As it is, I don't see this car in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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Catherine Bombac 7:14AM (7/21/2006)
http://theaircar.com/
Here is a bigger and cheaper variety of cars. Question is? Is this site ligit?
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Stan Luicha 1:21PM (7/22/2006)
Milton... Your address to EVADER scooters was wrong it is www.evadermotorsports.com/scooters.php. YVW
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Russell Scott 10:14PM (7/22/2006)
An electric car with a solar panel body....hmmm- that would mean regenerative braking, cirular motion in your drivetrain that virtually never wears out, solar panels that virtually never wear out, charging up for free by just leaving your car in your driveway, and fewer wars as we try to control the leadership of countries that have the oil we need! What a concept! To the best of my knowledge, Kyocera is the only solar panel company that is not currently owned by an oil company. I wonder if that is why the price of solar panels stays so high and the development of that technology is at a standstill in USA while the orient is moving ahead making solar panels with the same screen printing technique used to make t-shirts? I wonder why someone hasn't thought about a removable generator on an electric car for those long trips that you off load when you don't need it? That generator could run on whatever we choose, and would be easily adaptable to future technology. But heck- if we did that it would mean we were actually planning for the future of our children, wouldn't it? The USA needs an energy plan and, at least for the city folks, electric is clearly the direction we need to be headed even if the solar panel idea isn't viable. Just imagine- a car that lasts for 35 years! That is the one aspect of electrics that many of the learned number crunchers seem to be ignoring! They are omitting repair costs of internal combustion, but including battery costs, in many of their equations. And please- just one of you- factor in the cost of the lungs of American children!
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Mike 1:31AM (7/24/2006)
Im all for the EV. I have to commute more then the prerequisite 20-40. Battery life is a problem though. If they are that expensive and the longevity is limited to 7500 hrs then overall the gas guzzler is still cheaper. Back to the drawing board guys and lets clean America...the World up.
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Nora Edwards 5:54AM (7/27/2006)
This is an interesting discussion. What I don't understand, is why no one has thought of solar panels on the roof or hood to help with recharge. When I get into my car on a hot sunny day, it is much hotter inside even after a short trip to the store.
Can't this energy be used to help power the car?
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wyatt waters 10:46AM (7/29/2006)
There is an easier and more economical alternative to local driving. I ride a bicycle outfitted with an electric motor and battery kit that cost a little over $200. It lets me do errands around town where I would otherwise get the worst mileage. It is alot of fun and gives me a chance to pedal and get some exercise also. not very high tech but it works. We just need some bike paths.
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lee 2:41PM (7/29/2006)
Don't forget the oil companies have the politicans in their back pockets and they buy up all the patients when people come out with them. To keep the oil monster going, That is until the oil runs out in about 30 years.....than they will bring out the stuff that is needed to fix all the problems discussed here. more money in their pockets...
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Julianne 4:56PM (7/29/2006)
Love the idea of being able to save money, and the environment for my son and future generations...but need a car that can carry at least 2 people. Keep up the work! We will get there or die trying;)
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Jim Hanley 5:25PM (7/29/2006)
Here are two alternatives to gas or oil burning cars: AIR CARS
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/30/spark.air.car/
Korean "PHEV"
A Korean company has created a car engine that runs on air. The engine, which powers a pneumatic-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), works alongside an electric motor to create the power source. The system eliminates the need for fuel, making the PHEV pollution-free.
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The French "MIDI"
http://www.theaircar.com/models.html
It sounds like an ordinary car. But it's not.
In the South of France, inventor Guy Negre says he's developed a car that runs on air.
He says that no fuel is necessary to power the car that can travel at speeds close to 70-miles-per-hour. It's a whole lot of fresh air, driving an engine that Negre says is zero-polluting.
Air tanks are re-fillable in one fifth the time to refill gas tanks!
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As for electric vehicles (?):
United Parcel System has been using ELECTRIC TRUCKS
to deliver furniture in New Yoek City for at least
60 years! I drove one!
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Marc 9:33PM (7/29/2006)
Some of the things don't add up here...
First of all, the article is just plain wrong in saying electric motors are 40-60% efficient. An entry level electric motor is generally between 89 and 90% efficiency. They go up to about 93-94 with brushless and what not.
Second of all....The previous (pretty much the same) sparrow boasts 50 mile range and $13,900
http://www.hightechscience.org/sparrow.htm
Still too much, but not bad for a production car.
The real answer here is the restart of the EV1's. They were said to have been capable of up to 130 miles on a charge (with the planned lithium batteries) or something like 60 on conventional batteries. Costed between $33,000 and $43,000. The EV1 plants are still there, not being used, and the fired workers are probably still in the area.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1
Or the movie...Who killed the electric car
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F
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Tim Orris 3:45PM (7/30/2006)
Looks cute but with no range and no air conditioning, and no space for the date they better add a rack for the golf clubs
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John Fortner 5:16PM (7/30/2006)
I would be happy to purchase an electric vehicle. Normally, I travel less then 10 miles per trip. Most are under 5 miles. However, I am retired, on a fixed income, in less than optimum physical condition, and need a vehicle that I can get in, rather than put on. Additionally, my wife usually travels with me.
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Steve Jones 8:57PM (8/03/2006)
Built an electric car w/ my students at a H.S. in Toledo, Ohio in 1971 and followed the developments in this field ever since. The battery is still the major problem, but a few key points. "The best is yet to come" EV vehicle needs to be AND can be American, not German, not Japanese or from anywhere else. (no disrespect intended) but it was Americans that first put a man on the moon, wasn't it? Also, vehicle must include regenerative (or dynamic) braking, some solar (a little bit might just get you back to town or the next AC receptacle) and a built in switching battery charger, (especially since they aren't heavy any more) The car is doable and getting employers to spring for a few outdoor receptacles would give them great PR and would in no way break their bank! Gasoline is OBSOLETE!
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John Rupp 10:53AM (8/07/2006)
This site is the place for better things to come.
Information plus, keep up the work. Thank You.
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Bill Johnson 9:29PM (8/13/2006)
There are plugins coming out that go from 0-60 in around 3 seconds and Get over 200 miles per charge up. Of course they cost near and over a hundred grand. The secret seems to be the batteries they use are extraordinary. They claim the prices will come down as the science improves.
Bill
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Eddie 10:49PM (8/13/2006)
Why can't magnets be strapped to rear axle & inside of rims protrude over magnets to create a generator...run the electricity that the generators create to battery...extend run time on batteries?
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Dave Freeman 7:03AM (8/14/2006)
Well, these are nice, and are great for in-town commuting, but would you feel safe on the road in them? My Prius would crush one of these in a collision! Thanks, but I'll stick with my measly 45mpg average until the Tesla gets to generation 2. www.teslamotors.com. Now THAT'S an EV you can feel safer in.
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Steve Cobb 12:49PM (8/14/2006)
Bill,
Can you give the e-mail address for Airtair nano you were talking about? I did the name as a .com and nothing came up, I also did a google of that name and again, nothing. Thanks-Steve
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Skip Redman 8:09AM (8/19/2006)
An electric car would be great for me with one exception. I would need air conditioning. I drive limosines and have to drive to work in a dark suit and tie. I leave my car there for the day or several days and then drive home. The distance would be perfect for an electric car. However, many times I must arrive in the middle of a very hot day, and I cannot be soaking in my own sweat when I arrive. I live in the Los Angeles area, and I know few people who would purchase a vehicle without air conditioning just because of the personal comfort issue.
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