by Julie Cridler for IRN, 12/1/2009
The road to auto industry electrification is littered with start-up companies that have aspirations of taking the electric vehicle industry by storm. Some of these companies are paving the way, and others are making mistakes and learning some difficult lessons. Atlanta-based start-up Wheego Electric Cars has taken the challenges of companies that have gone before it and used the lessons learned to create a better product. So what makes Wheego stand out?
Wheego’s first vehicle, the Whip, is available now in a network of 16 dealers across the country – including two in Michigan. The company expects to expand the dealership network to include 70 dealers during 2010. Like many other electric vehicles hitting the market, the Whip is a low-speed vehicle (also sometimes referred to as a neighborhood electric vehicle, these are only capable of reaching a top speed of about 35 mph). The similarity ends there. Most LSVs are built on a golf-cart platform, which of course means they do not meet automotive safety standards. The Wheego Whip, however, is designed and built on a car platform. The chassis is based on that of the Shuanghuan Noble. Wheego is currently at work on a highway version of the Whip that will feature a lithium-ion battery. The highway version will be capable of speeds of up to 78 mph with a travel range of 80 miles between charges.
Wheego’s initial target is to sell between 500 and 1,000 Whips (the LSV version) in the first year. Given that it is somewhat pricey for the limited functionality it offers, that sales goal might be a stretch. The highway version, on the other hand, could offer greater sales potential. It will be interesting to watch as the company develops and prepares to launch the highway version. Will they be able to pull this off according to their schedule? Or will we be reading at this time next year that Wheego’s aggressive launch plans have hit a snag resulting in delays? Given that that vehicle platform is solid and technology is not a limiting factor for the company, odds are they might just make it.