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Read the rest of this articleFord and GM beware, the G-3 electric truck poses a threat
It may not be the heavy duty, built rough and tough truck that we are used to seeing Americans flaunt around. In fact, some might even have a hard time calling it a pick-up truck, but the truth is, the G-3 posts specs that even the world's top rated trucks like the Silverado and F-350 can't even get close to competing with--mpg specs.
The new G-3, produced by Global Green Cars, is said to hit production in the spring or early summer of 2010. With little competition in the market thus far, the G-3 could be a front runner as the ultimate alternative to the standard gas-guzzling truck.
According to a recent press release, the G-3 has the ability to go over 100 miles on a single charge of its nickel-based battery. It may not be revolutionary, but it is certainly promising to see a vehicle of its size and hauling ability reach that sort of mileage on that type of battery, especially considering the difficulties lithium-ion batteries have had lately.
Additionally, the G-3 truck, which is priced at under $25,000, is said to reach speeds of 85 mph, giving it the power necessary to travel on just about any road.
Of course, the truck has its downfalls and certainly does not fit the bill (at a weight payload of about 1,000 pounds) of most heavy lifting trucks. Green Global Cars, however, does not seem to be marketing to that demographic. According to their web site, the truck is the perfect for carpenters, plumbers, ranchers, and yes, even mail-carriers. It is essentially an ideal carbon-fighting small truck machine.
Perhaps the most impressive spec of the G-3 though is its percentage of American-made parts. Of all the focus of late going towards the American auto industry, especially GM and Ford, it is amazing that no current US-made small truck compares to the G-3 that uses 70% American labor and materials. Outsourcing is going to get a run for its money if the G-3 can produce what it says it can at the $25,000 price mark Global Green Cars is announcing.
It may be time for unnecessarily big truck owners to trade in their oversized, overly wasteful trucks for a more modest alternative.
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Comments
1. Batteries will become more efficient on the whole and their price will drop, whereas the oil will simply go up and up as it becomes more scarce. As simple as that. 2. The range of noticeable EVs are sufficient to meet the daily driving needs of more than 95% of drivers ((The vast majority of people (95%) drive less than 100/km a day, 82% of the respondents said they drive 40 miles or less a day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.)). 3. I'm hopeful that the charge network will extend the select districts to nation-wide scale throughout the world, and this environment can usher in active private investings in EVs. 4. I remain confident that it could give rise to multiple times as much investing effect, so to speak, some billions of investing, this simple deployment, could call into the most-sought energy independence and solid recovery around the world.
This has to be one of the worst articles I have ever seen written. No doubt he is either a relative, high school kid, or was paid under the table to write this. Most of this article is just wrong - Let's examine it
An F-350 has a payload of 5900lbs and can up to 15,000lbs - Not even close to what this author is comparing to.
Wrong Facts by the author
I suspect he was thinking of an F-150 which can still carry over 1500 lbs and get 20 MPG
100 miles to a charge - that demo was done under very controlled conditions and no payload.
Let's put a set of gardening tools that would weigh a couple hundred pounds, two people and see what happens.
Or a handyman with all of his tools.
Or a delivery truck, that is delivering furniture - that would be close to it's capacity
Add in normal city/suburb stop and go I can guarantee you will not get 100 miles out of a charge. Any electric car mfr, lowers their charge distance under a load. Why didn't they do the test with a 500lb load in it, stopping for a few minutes to simulate normal traffic?
Beleiving facts from GGCI withour really checking things out in a real life situation - More bad information
Now the author claims it is 70% built in the USA, when in fact by Global Green Cars own PR( http://www.globalgreencars.com/pdfs/GGCI_considering_Williamsburg_factor... ) the cars are imported from China from a borderline bankrupt company with questionable quality
See this article - http://www.chinacartimes.com/2009/06/30/visit-to-the-yema-factory/
Completely wrong facts
Ford and GM have nothing to fear from GGCI, but the rest of us should have some serious fear over authors reporting this type of misinformation.