Electric SUVs
In the USA, the Electric Car Company Inc has come to an agreement with Liberty Electric Cars, a clean technology company based in Oxford, UK, and with offices in Chicago, USA, to combine the respective expertise of the two companies in the production of zero emission, electric vehicles. The joint venture will focus initially on the conversion of large luxury 4×4 vehicles like the Range Rover, using Liberty’s groundbreaking, proprietary electric power train technology.
Initially based at the Electric Car Company conversion center in Springfield, Missouri, the agreement will also include the establishment of further conversion centers across the United States on a franchise or company-owned basis.
While the major focus of the electric vehicle (EV) industry has been on small city cars, Liberty Electric Cars has developed revolutionary technologies that enable large vehicles such as 4x4s to be converted to electric drive trains. This proprietary technology provides performance comparable with internal combustion engine vehicles. It works by replacing the entire internal combustion engine drive train with a proprietary electric power system using four on-board motors, one for each wheel, and incorporating a state-of-the-art energy storage system. This provides a performance of 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds with a top speed of 110mph and range ability of 200 miles on a six hour charge. This has never before been achieved in the 4×4 sector.
The Electric Car Company specializes in electric conversion and manufacturing for the livery and fleet markets including VIP corporate limousines and delivery trucks. CEO Gary Spaniak explains the thinking behind the collaboration, ‘By signing a letter of intent with Liberty Electric Cars, we are able to utilize the most innovative electric vehicle technologies available for sophisticated, luxury 4×4 vehicles in the so-called light-duty truck sector.’ Mr. Spaniak continued, ‘We are incredibly excited about this new venture and feel that as a combined force we can offer products that will revolutionize the market for luxury and large 4x4s, providing for the first time ever, a real alternative to the old and dirty internal combustion engine.’
‘The new partnership with ECC is very important to Liberty Electric Cars,’ explained Liberty’s Managing Director Ian Hobday, ‘It allows us to use our proprietary and patented technology to convert cars for the US market according to American standards in the very modern and high-tech facilities provided by ECC.’ Mr. Hobday added, ‘With the world’s first pure electric luxury 4×4, the Liberty E-Range, about to launch in the UK, the development of a fun, 100% electric, beach buggy-style vehicle for the U.S. market, and the announcement of the ECC partnership, we are at a very exciting stage in the company’s growth and we are all looking forward to what the future holds.’
