CARazed

The problem with cars like this is the cost. The reality is that cars like this lead the way and help companies and technologies get their roots down. The technology in this car could be put into lower cost cars one levels of production increase.

The Fisker Karma is one of the most promising luxury plug-in hybrids that will hit the market in 2010. Zero to 60 acceleration will be less than 6 seconds and top speed will be 125 MPH. It will be able to drive on batteries alone for about 50 miles at which point a small electric motor kicks in to power the electric motors, which turn the wheels. This will make the Fisker Karma extremely inexpensive to drive to around town everyday because the cost of electricity is far lower than gasoline.

If you want to take a longer trip no worries, just drive it like a normal car, fill it up with gas, and take off. When the batteries run out of juice the gas motor kicks in to charge the batteries and propel the car.

If the Fisker Karma is successful it will demonstrate that Plug-In Hybrids are the right technology choice for today. Hydrogen fuel cells and all electric cars are in our future but the technology is just not ready today. Battery technology is far enough for plug-in hybrids to be viable. Gasoline engines can be very clean. At 100 MPG we could easily eliminate our need for foreign oil while driving much cleaner cars. If the car is fun and fast on top of all that every car maker in the world need to stop fooling with batteries and hydrogen and start building these plug-in green machines. For more information visit Fisker Automotive.

Photo credit Fisker Automotive.

It seems the folks at tesla are thinking what many other are thinking, that plug-in hybrids are the way to go, at least for now. Now that production dates are set for their P1 Tesla Roadster, Tesla has announced that they are planning it’s next car, a sedan code named White Star.

They’ll offer an all electric version and a plug-in hybrid version. The advantage of course is that when your batteries run dry your car switches over and runs a small gas engine to keep you moving. Official news, facts and figures are not available yet. Most of what we know has been leaked through the Tesla blog, but it sounds like the sedan will cost about half as much as the P1 (so about $40K to $50K).

I’m not surprised that Tesla is moving toward hybrids because it just makes sense. Leverage the current gasoline infrastructure while moving toward all electric cars. Other companies like GM, Toyota, many X PRIXE contestants, and small independent auto makers are all moving in this direction. For example the Fisker Karma will be a plug-in hybrid that is expected to get around 100 miles per gallon. The White Star must be Tesla’s reaction to the Karma.

The Detroit Press is reporting that Fisker Automotive may be considering Detroit Michigan for the construction of the Karma, a new plug-in hybrid luxury sedan. I think it’s a great idea and very happy to hear Fisker is considering building the car in America. Detroit is filled with expert auto manufacturing talent and I’m certain in these days of looming recession any American city would welcome some new opportunities and jobs. It’s also the perfect place for a start-up auto maker to build a presence and reputation, right under the watchful eye of the big three and automotive press.

If you’re still curious about owning one of these revolutionary cars you might want to get on the waiting list now. Looks like the wait is getting longer everyday… not because of delays but because of orders. Put your deposit down today at the Fisker website.