Top 10 Coolest Electric Cars

Since I was a kid back in the 70’s and felt the brunt of the oil embargo – car lines around the block and odd and even days – I’ve been wondering of a day when alternative fuel vehicles would come into play. Finally, 30 plus years later we have an electric car boom.

Well let’s not waste anymore time.  Here they are, the top 10 coolest electric cars today:

1. Aptera – Come on Trekkies!  Or Trekkers as you might prefer.  This futuristic egg shaped three wheeled vehicle is so cool.  The seats and carpet were made out of old plastic bottles and cups, and the fabrics throughout the vehicle are colored from natural dyes.  If I could, I’d pick up a dozen of these eggs and give them out to friends and family.  Reserve yours today.   http://www.aptera.com/ Price will range between $25,000-$40,000.
2. Fisker Karma – Not fully electric but this is where luxury, sport and environment collide.  This is no hippie car but it is eco-friendly.  The Karma uses Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology. What!?  I know, that’s a mouthful.  A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles and after that the gasoline engine powers the generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been exceeded, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle.  It’s fast! 0-60 in than 6 seconds. This is a Henrik Fisker design; the man who has created BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 & V8. There is definitely an ECO-CHIC factor.  The celebs will be flocking.  Pre-order now at http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/ List Base Price $87,900.
3. Tesla Motors – This is e-sport! Feel the cool.  Reminds me a lot of the Lotus but this electric sports machine is electric and eco-licous. Did I just say that? But it is so awesome.  0- 60 in 3.9seconds. Oh Yeah! Top speed is 125 mph (electronically limited, hint, hint). Takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge with a range of 244 miles. It’s twice as efficient as a Toyota Prius. List Base Price $109,000. http://www.teslamotors.com/
4. Zap Alias – This three wheeled dynamo is a masterpiece of form, technology and environment.  This is the anti-egg. Watch out Aptera.  This is like a Hot Wheels car on steroids. 100% electric. 0-60 in 7.8 seconds with a 100+ mile range. Unfortunately it tops out at 75 mph.  Put down your deposit now. List price is $35,000. http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-alias
5. Persu Hybrid – It’s a stretch calling this a car but, it’s not a motorcycle either. More like a cockpit on wheels. This 3 wheeled vehicle goes 0-60 in 6 seconds with top speeds of about 100 mph.  It gets about 75+ mpg with 20 mile range of electric and a total driving range of 400 miles on 6 gallons of gas. There is no denying the fun factor here.  Pricing not available. http://www.flytheroad.com/
6. Commuter Cars Tango – Out of Spokane, WA combines the agility of motorcycle with the high performance of a sports car.  It looks a lot like a squished sub-compact with two tandem seats. Depending on the type of battery you get, range can be about 150 miles.  This Tango can rocket from 0-60 in about 4 seconds with a top speed of 135 mph.  Watch out Tesla! But at a price of $108,000 for T600, I’ll stick with the Tesla. http://www.commutercars.com/
7. Lumeneo Smera – Is very much in the same class as the Persu being a tandem two seater but, not so space shippy.  Most importantly it’s all electric. Definitely sporty and compact.  Not as zippy as the Persu with 0-60 in 8 seconds but, tops out higher at 80 mph.  This little coupe only has a range of 90 miles.  It went on sale last year for $33,000 but is only available in Paris. http://lumeneo.fr/welcome.html
8. Coda Automotive – Looks very much like a VW Jetta with a top speed of 80 mph (Electronically Limited).  This actually holds 4 passengers unlike many of the other vehicles in this list, making it much more practical.  With a 6 hour charge you can go anywhere from 90-120 miles. It does lack a bit of Zip with just under 11 seconds from 0-60. Price $40,000. http://www.codaautomotive.com/
9. Zenn – Zero emissions and no noise.  It reminds me a shrunken minivan with two doors but, it’s actually a two seat hatchback. MSRP is $14,995. Now that is reasonable!  But much like the Wheego they’re intended for in-town use on streets rated at up to 35 MPH. http://www.zenncars.com/
10. Wheego Whip– Is an all-electric two-seat hatchback car that is comparable in look and styling to many of the new sub-compacts being put out by the big corporations.  Small issue is that it is an LSV, meaning that it is not allowed on roads posted 35 mph or more.  It has a range of 55 miles costs about $19,000. http://wheego.net/

Also keep an eye on the big boys.  GM has come out with futuristic and sporty Chevy Volt, giving new meaning to the muscle car. And now BMW’s Mini, now has the Mini E. Nissan is unveiling the Leaf and Toyota will also unveil an electric hybrid plug-in Prius.

With all these great new alternative vehicles, it’s a fine time to be alive. It seems electric cars are here to stay.