Phoenix Motorcar's Rapid-Charging Electric SUV Demonstrated
Recently, Phoenix Motorcars demonstrated their plug-in electric SUV that will go on sale in 2008. The SUV uses AltairNano's fast-charge lithium-ion battery technology for power. The vehicle has a top speed of about 100 miles per hour, and its range is about 250 miles. Here's a video of the SUV in action.
Altairnano will offering the SUV for fleet use at first. The range is enough for many commercial applications. With eventual public sales in mind, though, company officials said Altairnano is already talking with Pacific Gas & Electric, California's largest utility, about a web of "rapid charge stations." With conventional 480-volt, three-phase service, they could top off batteries during a coffee stop (recharging at home, with the same 220 volts that runs the clothes dryer or stove, would take about five hours).
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