In mid-2008, Shelby Supercars announced that it would follow up its 254 mph Ultimate Aero with an all-electric version. Unfortunately the company was sparse on details, with little more than the claim that it would have a pair of 500 hp electric motors. A new press release today yields a few more details, but unlike the initial specs these are far less believable. The 150-200 mile range might be plausible were it not for that 1,000 hp output. That's three times the output of a Tesla Roadster.

From there things really go off the rails. The car will reportedly use some kind of lithium ion battery pack with some sort of indeterminate nanotechnology. The company claims it will be rechargeable in only ten minutes. If SSC were using Altairnano batteries, that claim might possible. However, they claim it can be done in 10 minutes from a 110V outlet. For the sake of argument, with a 50 kWh pack (a conservative estimate to get anywhere near 200 miles) a 10 minute charge with only 110V would require over 2,700 A of current, something you will not get from any existing 110V outlet. Hopefully next time Shelby opens up, they will provide some real details that are actually credible. Thanks to Amy for the tip!

[Source: Shelby SuperCars]

Shelby SuperCars, the American company behind the Ultimate Aero, the worlds fastest gas-powered production car (pictured above), has announced they will unveil the worlds fastest electric car, the Ultimate Aero EV in February of 2009. They say they won't wait years to release it to a salivating public either, giving Q4 2009 as a delivery date. They say it will have an "exotic Supercar exterior" but all engineering details are being closely held for now. The little bit they did say about the drivetrain makes us question whether or not the whole project is some sort of joke. Perhaps its just a typo. SSC claims it will feature twin 500 hp electric motors powered by a battery that won't need a charge for several years. Seriously.

If they do want to be the fastest, they will need that 1000 hp to surpass the amazing Eliica. That 8-wheeled wonder can hang with the Tesla under acceleration until the Roadster tops out around 120 and then continue on to reach 230 mph. Its secret is an 80 hp motor mounted behind each wheel. If SSC is serious about doing it "faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer", we'll let you know.

Correction: Changed six years to several years. Thanks Joseph!

[Source: Shelby SuperCars]