What most people don’t realize is that today’s auto manufacturers are nothing more than assemblers of third-party parts. This is why AC Propulsion doesn’t manufacture any cars. They just develop EV technologies. Their concept cars are just demonstration models for auto manufacturers.

2006 marks the year of all-electric, high-performance, production vehicles with the introduction of the Venturi Fetish ($500,000) and the Tesla Roadster ($100,000). Other potential vehicles we may see in the future are the Writespeed X1 and an all-electric, Smart Roadster. As cool as sports cars are, they’re nothing more than glorified toys. It’s a good thing Tesla Motors is looking to bring out a $50K 4-door sedan. I’d also like to see a 5-door sport hatchback, think all-electric MazdaSpeed 3/Subaru WRX. Then there’s the one vehicle missing from the market—the PCV, Personal Commuter Vehicle. A one-seat, 4-wheeled vehicle essentially a cross between a motorcycle and car. Think Corbin Sparrow but with four wheels and better performance and styling. This would be an ideal platform to introduce EV technologies. Toyota unveiled the PM concept vehicle in 2003. Commuter Cars currently manufactures the Tango ($100,000). Given the looks and price, I’d rather get a Tesla.

On a related side note, AC motors are used in lieu of DC motors for their performance capabilities. Yet, each vehicle listed above uses batteries for energy storage which represent the bulk of each vehicle’s weight and expense. Even before AC Propulsion with their high-efficiency DC-AC converter were on the scene, Rosen Motors, from 1993 to 1997, developed an AC hybrid powertrain based around a turbogenerator which drove DC motors. So to me, an ideal high-performance hybrid would be a turbogenerator that drove AC motors. A simpler and more elegant solution than putting an electric powertrain in parallel with an ICE powertrain which is what’s currently being done for hybrids. Such a system would certainly bridge the gap until battery technology becomes more affordable to not just the rich. I should note that Rosen Motors also employed a kinetic battery, a flywheel-motor-generator, in their power train which was used to store energy reclaimed from regenerative braking. Kinetic batteries are a potential alternative to chemical batteries, but are currently limited by materials that can withstand the high stresses and by current bearing technology.