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I was thinking of the GM EV1. It went 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds[1], which is slightly slower than a 1996 Ford Taurus SHO [2]. A modern BMW 328 is 5.3 seconds. The

I was thinking of the GM EV1. It went 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds[1], which is slightly slower than a 1996 Ford Taurus SHO [2]. A modern BMW 328 is 5.3 seconds. The original Tesla roadster was 4.6. 1 https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ 2 https://www.zeroto60times.com https://www.zeroto60times.com

BlueTemplar 4y ago
Ah, but it might not as simple as that one single number : > Driven like a regular car, GM's "voltswagen" is quite adept in traffic. Its 7.7-second 0-60-mph ability equals that of potent performers such as the '69 Camaro SS 350. And since the electric motor produces the same 110 pound-feet of torque at one rpm as at 7000, response is instantaneous. > With more than a half ton of batteries low in the chassis, the car is very stable and handles remarkably well despite the ultranarrow, low-rolling-resistance tires. Darting from light to light along L.A. 's bustling La Cienega Boulevard, the car would easily spurt ahead from intersections for uninterrupted lane choice. However : > Of course, this driving style meant I was sucking amps like the Las Vegas strip, and the battery state-of-charge gauge used everything but sarcasm to get me to slow down. However, I'm a performance driver first, an environmentalist second-so I decided that while my trip up the coast may be brief, it would be without accelerative compromises. [...] > Driving smoothly is the key to efficiency (read: more mileage) in any vehicle, but given the current limitations, it's all-important in an electric car. So, to make my way through the 36 urban miles to my home, I was a virtual rolling roadblock, easing into the throttle with such delicacy that within the first few miles I knew I'd be late for my wife's lovingly prepared dinner. That would explain my confusion after reading this : https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car > With a range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just seven seconds, -which I took to mean that they were much better than average- > the EV1 quickly gained a cult following.

BlueTemplar 4y ago

Ah, but it might not as simple as that one single number : > Driven like a regular car, GM's "voltswagen" is quite adept in traffic. Its 7.7-second 0-60-mph ability equals that of potent performers such as the '69 Camaro SS 350. And since the electric motor produces the same 110 pound-feet of torque at one rpm as at 7000, response is instantaneous. > With more than a half ton of batteries low in the chassis, the car is very stable and handles remarkably well despite the ultranarrow, low-rolling-resistance tires. Darting from light to light along L.A. 's bustling La Cienega Boulevard, the car would easily spurt ahead from intersections for uninterrupted lane choice. However : > Of course, this driving style meant I was sucking amps like the Las Vegas strip, and the battery state-of-charge gauge used everything but sarcasm to get me to slow down. However, I'm a performance driver first, an environmentalist second-so I decided that while my trip up the coast may be brief, it would be without accelerative compromises. [...] > Driving smoothly is the key to efficiency (read: more mileage) in any vehicle, but given the current limitations, it's all-important in an electric car. So, to make my way through the 36 urban miles to my home, I was a virtual rolling roadblock, easing into the throttle with such delicacy that within the first few miles I knew I'd be late for my wife's lovingly prepared dinner. That would explain my confusion after reading this : https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car > With a range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just seven seconds, -which I took to mean that they were much better than average- > the EV1 quickly gained a cult following.