AutoblogGreen

Ridiculous specifications on power, range and price. It's always the case with batteries technology. Only hydrogen ( or methanol) fuelcell
apparetus permit power and range for electric transportation. Even for internal combustion engine hydrogen permit power and range, 350 miles for the best fuelcell cars that are not yet on the market even if it's been constructed and tested since 1998 by honda and co.

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Ridiculous? This thing costs less than a Vectrix and you can actually drive it in the rain without getting soaked. If it had more batteries in it maybe it could go up to 65mph and go a little farther. It's a pretty good concept if you look at it as an enclosed e-scooter commuter vehicle.

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I can tell just from looking at the reported stats that it's lead-acid. Which means that it's cost isn't *really* $10k; it's $10k plus the cost of regular battery changes.

You have to look at more than just purchase price :P

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I've been a big fan of the Cree SAM since I found out about it a few months ago. I sincerely, sincerely hope that it does become available in the States, or at least out here on the West Coast. Sure, the performance might be a bit mediocre, but it's a perfect commuter vehicle.

Maybe it'll be possible to purchase a "glider" body and drop a motorcycle ICE engine in there.

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Checked out the specs on their website and it mentions a target monthly battery lease price of €65, or about $100/month.

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This has a performance improvement over the standard NEV, and should sell well in that market segment. However, it is still insufficient for many drivers, particularly those who commute long distances on the freeway.

A.Brien: Hydrogen fuel cells certainly have EVs beat on price, H2FC cars cost 10 to 50 times more, and run on a fuel that costs 5x as much! Do you really want the more expensive less efficient option? Sorry, but H2 fueled internal combustion vehicles have rediculously short driving ranges, too. The H2 converted Prius gets a mere 80 miles per tank, and the BMW Hydrogen 7 only gets 120 miles per 30 gallon tank of liquid H2.

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"There is a new all electric three-wheeler in Switzerland known as the SAM" - It's neither new nor available. There were only some prototypes built years ago. One of them is for sale for €8000 (I don't want to know how much that is in US$)

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its top speed & range is just too small.

oh, and the fact that its "electric" is nearly a nute point. I want a electric car....because the biggest reason is that gas is getting more expensive....I currently spend roughly $75 a month on gas....and this 3-wheeled car would have me spend $100 a month on battery costs! No Thanks!

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I always adored this little cute EV. But as Hans Wurst said, it's by no means new. 80 vehicles have been built in 2001 for a broad field test and since then the project just didn't find enough capital to start production. Maybe this explains the sometimes weaker specs compared to its "competitors".

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good finally something to replace that horrible xebra

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Hans and Hans are correct - Sam is neither new nor available, apparently. This is a (hopefully rare) ABG journalistic gaffe.

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Looks like the old Corbin Sparrow now being produced under a new company name.

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