When it comes to answering, "what is the best electric car?", it really depends on what you are after. Some people consider "the best" to be the most affordable, while others think it means the most luxurious, best performing, or even the safest. However, the best electric vehicle, is the one that best fits your need.
To help you decide which one is the best, we've created a list with some information about what we think are the 5 best electric cars out today. There are and have been a number of electric vehicles in development that many of us learn about in the news, but never see on the road. The ones you will read about below are out now, although they may not be available everywhere.
Tango
The Tango is 5 inches narrower than some motorcycles, in fact it is so narrow that two of them can comfortably drive side-by-side in a freeway lane. Just like motorcyclists that take advantage of their small size to ride in-between the lanes to blow past slow moving or stopped traffic, a Tango driver is capable of doing the same. Parallel parking is a cinch as it can be parked as easily as a motorcycle, and when parked perpendicular, 4 Tangos can fit into one parking space.
You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at it, but the Tango is fast and powerful - 805 hp and capable of 0-60 mph in under four seconds - the Tango is no joke. It destroys the thought that electric cars are inadequate and feeble, in fact, it comes with two motors that individually provide more torque than a Dodge Viper V10 engine, and it has a top speed of 135 mph.
On a charge it can travel 40-60 miles using lead-acid batteries, or 150 miles with lithium-ion batteries. Using a 200 amp charging station, an 80% charge can be reached in only 10 minutes. From home, via a dryer outlet, a full charge can be achieved in around 3 hours.
Going off of the looks, this vehicle looks like it would tip over easily, or be dangerous to drive. The truth is that the Tango has been built to be one of the safest cars on the road. It is built around a SCCA and NHRA (both racing organizations) certified roll cage which is designed to withstand 200 mph crashes. Other safety features include NASCAR door bars, four times more side door protection than the largest SUVs, and because there are 2,000 lbs of batteries only 4 inches above the ground, the stability is amazing. The NHTSA gave it a 5 star static rollover threshold rating. The Tango costs around $108,000.
Th!nk City
This Th!nk City is marketed as an efficient modern urban car for the environmentally conscious. Currently it is available in Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and the United States. It has a max range of 99 mi (160 km) on one charge, is highway capable with a max speed of 68 mph (110 kph). Depending on your driving needs, sodium or lithium batteries can be equipped.
Two or four seat models are available. The vehicle has 3 doors (2 side doors and a rear hatch), and inside it is said to have a spacious interior, and clear visibility (ideal for city driving). You can tell special efforts were made to ensure the driver has excellent visibility, as when you are backing up, you can see the bumper through the rear hatch window.
To charge, it can be plugged in to a traditional electricity socket, and can charge fully in 8-11 hours The Th!nk City U.S. retail price is $36,495.
Mitsubishi i MiEV
MiEV is an acronym for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle. This vehicle has been launched in Australia, Europe, Japan, and in early 2012 it will be released in United States with a base price of $27,990. The MiEV is a hatchback with five doors.
The range is around 85 miles (137 km), and the max speed is 80 mph. Charging takes just 30 minutes when done at a quick charging station, 7 hours using a 220 volt power source, and 14 hours using a 110 volt power source.
Nissan Leaf
LEAF is a backronym for "Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car". The Nissan Leaf is currently available in Japan, United States, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. After a full charge, the max range is 73 miles (117 km), and the top speed is over 93 mph (150 kph).
There are a couple of different ways to recharge the Nissan Leaf. By using DC fast charging, in around 30 minutes the batteries can be 80% charged. By using a traditional outlet, after an hour of charging, enough power will be gained for 5 miles of travel. A small solar panel is installed on the SL trim so that the auxiliary battery can be charged to a small degree.
All sorts of bells and whistles are equipped, including a Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which sends out an alerting sound so pedestrians know you are coming (all because electric cars are amazingly quiet). This feature is activated when traveling under 19 mph (30 kph).
This vehicle has won several awards, including the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 European Car of the Year, and 2011 World Car of the Year. The retail price for the Nissan Leaf in the United States is $32,780.
Tesla Roadster
The Tesla Roadster is a landmark all-electric vehicle, as it was the first production automobile to use lithium-ion battery cells, and it was the first production BEV (battery electric vehicle) to have a range of over 200 miles (320 km) after a full charge. Recharging can take anywhere from 4-48 hours, depending on the power source.
If you are looking for an all-electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster is one to look at. The Tesla Roadster can travel 244 miles (393 km) on a full charge, and can go from 0-60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 3.9 seconds. This electric vehicle is big on speed (125 mph/201 kph) and performance (248 hp equals a lot of horses).
The price is around $109,000 in the United States. This car has been sold to buyers in over 25 countries, and you won't be able to find it in any franchise dealerships. You can find it and buy it online, over the phone, or via 13 of their showrooms.
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