Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Santa Monica Alt Car Expo, Universal Electric Vehicle
Alt Car Expo: Video of the Electrum Spyder and interview with the designer, Greg Lane
You've seen the specs, seen the preview and now, here're the goods. The Electrum Spyder was the big unveiling at the Alt Car Expo, and I was able to speak with Greg Lane, Senior Vice President of Universal Electric Vehicle Corp. and designer of the Spyder, about the car and the attitude of UEV in today's market (hint: he doesn't like EVs that are just boxes on wheels). Lane said UEV is shooting to produce between 100 and 200 vehicles in the first year (they will start to be available in Summer 2007) from their California base. Like Tesla Motors, UEV is talking about a lower-priced sedan version of the EV in a few years. For now, we'll have to enjoy the sleek sights of the Spyder.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 6:31PM (12/13/2006)
Sebastian, thank you for bringing this to us. Greg is absolutely correct. The main stream doesn't want to ride around in golf carts (NEVs) unless they live in a retirement community, and they don't like weird looking cars like the e-box. Nobody likes to be ridiculed. The American main stream wants cars (status symbols) that are fun, powerful, sexy and maybe even still practical. EVs can do all these things better and cheaper than IC powered cars within a certain range. Why can’t we buy our sexy, fast EVs for every day driving and rent a Bio-Diesel PHEV or Pick-up truck for that occasional road trip or special job? NEVs make the general public believe that all EVs are just big golf carts. I’m glad there are those with clearer heads.
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robert veach 1:13PM (2/08/2007)
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Bud 8:52PM (9/14/2008)
I would like to hear more about your offer and this product!!! Thanks,Bud
Mike Ray 3:09PM (5/11/2007)
We were at this show and was surprised to see how much this industry has developed over the past few years. UEV Spider was one of the two cars that I found outstanding at this show that you interviewed Greg. We live in northern California and can hardly wait to get my hands on this one.
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David Stone 8:42AM (6/01/2007)
I could barely understand anything that Greg said. While I support and admire what the poeple at Autobloggreen are doing, it would be nice to have some higher standards.
The videos are badly made. The interviews sound extremely amateur. The interviewed, in this case Greg, don't even get their voices picked up properly by the microphone.
Not good for the image of environmentalists.
But to keep my comment relevant to the blog entry:
From the little I could hear, what Greg is doing is really good. He needs to get the word out more if he wants enough people to buy the sports car to be able to get the sedan on the road and bought by more people.
The car doesn't seem to have an emblem on it.
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