Here are my impressions of the Auto Zurich, Switzerland, which is taking place from 5/11 to 10/11/09 at messe Zurich.
The first interesting point was Fisker Karma. It is entering production next spring, with the first cars being delivered in about July 2010. Then I catched an view of the smart ed. One year ago they offered me to lease the smart ed for one year - never heard about it anymore. I talked with one of Lotus. There seems to be no electric version of the Lotus in pipeline, when I mentioned the Tesla Roadster he answered me in an angry tone? Anyway heres one pic of the exposition.
Then I finally found the corner of "e-mobile" with the motorcycle Zero X and Zero S, I was able to make a test drive: What an acceleration! It's like being pushed from behind from an arm of steel! There were different cars from small swiss start ups, with a converted Fiat cinquecento, another small electric car and an electric truck, some with a Zebra battery. Those cars are rather expensive with a price of about 51000 SFr (USD 45-50k). Then I finally discovered the model S, behind of the small swiss cars in a corner. A beautyful car - from outside you can't see how much space there is on the inside, according to your reports on TMC. No Tesla staff on the inside to talk with.
Last but not least I made a test drive with the "Sam". It's a 3-Wheeler with a maximum speed of 100 kmh, about 100 km range. It has entered production today, and is available for SFr. 24k (USD 22k). Driving with this lightwight vehicle is special, but not much comfort feeling. Still this 3-wheeler gives a feeling of security considerably better than a motorcycle, the acceleration is sufficient, but naturally not exciting. When I was about to leave the exposition I finally found the two Tesla Roadsters behind the entrance, ready for test-drives, no more time to talk with Jochen Rudat.
In an overview, I would say, there was still little presence of electric cars. The mitsubishi I-Miev should be available for summer 2010. They hope to sell it for under SFr 30k. I can't see still no chance for the small swiss manufacturers. Regading the fact, that we are probably past "peak oil", with diminuishing fuel supply and ever rising fuel prices, I really can't understand, why the big manufacturers don't continue to present their electric vehicles. According to dpeilow there was more EV-presence in Frankfurt.
The first interesting point was Fisker Karma. It is entering production next spring, with the first cars being delivered in about July 2010. Then I catched an view of the smart ed. One year ago they offered me to lease the smart ed for one year - never heard about it anymore. I talked with one of Lotus. There seems to be no electric version of the Lotus in pipeline, when I mentioned the Tesla Roadster he answered me in an angry tone? Anyway heres one pic of the exposition.
Then I finally found the corner of "e-mobile" with the motorcycle Zero X and Zero S, I was able to make a test drive: What an acceleration! It's like being pushed from behind from an arm of steel! There were different cars from small swiss start ups, with a converted Fiat cinquecento, another small electric car and an electric truck, some with a Zebra battery. Those cars are rather expensive with a price of about 51000 SFr (USD 45-50k). Then I finally discovered the model S, behind of the small swiss cars in a corner. A beautyful car - from outside you can't see how much space there is on the inside, according to your reports on TMC. No Tesla staff on the inside to talk with.
Last but not least I made a test drive with the "Sam". It's a 3-Wheeler with a maximum speed of 100 kmh, about 100 km range. It has entered production today, and is available for SFr. 24k (USD 22k). Driving with this lightwight vehicle is special, but not much comfort feeling. Still this 3-wheeler gives a feeling of security considerably better than a motorcycle, the acceleration is sufficient, but naturally not exciting. When I was about to leave the exposition I finally found the two Tesla Roadsters behind the entrance, ready for test-drives, no more time to talk with Jochen Rudat.
In an overview, I would say, there was still little presence of electric cars. The mitsubishi I-Miev should be available for summer 2010. They hope to sell it for under SFr 30k. I can't see still no chance for the small swiss manufacturers. Regading the fact, that we are probably past "peak oil", with diminuishing fuel supply and ever rising fuel prices, I really can't understand, why the big manufacturers don't continue to present their electric vehicles. According to dpeilow there was more EV-presence in Frankfurt.
